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Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice
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Subject: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,Tyler Alderson Date: 18 Dec 15 - 02:10 AM I'm thinking of doing a bit of recording, and was wondering what kind of setup and techniques you folks have for recording straight solo unaccompanied vocals. I'm looking for a vocal mic right now and would love suggestions (in the couple hundred US range), and any tips or tricks, since pretty much everything I've found online talks about mixing instruments and multiples voices. I've done field recordings before, but want to have a bit better overall sound. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,Musket Date: 18 Dec 15 - 02:56 AM Lots of mics out there for voice. At the top end of your budget, anything by AKG should make you happy but to be honest, many cheaper ones can capture the range and complexities of a single voice just as well. The clever part these days is the mixing, through DAW type software and a decent USB interface. Focusrite make some excellent interfaces around a hundred notes. The bundled software will allow you to ensure an accurate rendition and allow you to inject an ambience to prevent it sounding flat. If you use a Mac, then GarageBand is more than suitable for what you require and is already installed. If you have an iPad then a mic and a Focusrite iPad interface is all you need to hit the road. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,Stim Date: 18 Dec 15 - 06:25 PM I've had a Blue Snowball for a few years and it gives studio quality with plug-and-play simplicity, for a very low price($49 online)Just got a Blue Yeti, and it's even better, at around $100. USB-both work well with Garage Band. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 18 Dec 15 - 07:19 PM Depending on how serious you want to get, after good microphones and sturdy mic stands, Reflexion Filters are becoming a prominent feature for many home vocal recording projects http://www.seelectronics.com/se-reflexion-filters/ |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 18 Dec 15 - 09:09 PM Whatever you select.... I suggest blankets and quilts or towels on the microphone surface and suspended within the room. It is easy to add acoustic with a clean recording...it is H-double hockystick to remove shower-stall reverb. I look forward to your sample. Try a couple and post to MC for "feedback." Adjust as required. Have fun...and start small. Sincerely, Gargoyle Weird Al Yankovik was successful with bathroom stalls...but that was 40 years ago. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: Spearcarrier Date: 18 Dec 15 - 10:29 PM One thing I did that improved things was take a soft box, like the kind you get for storage at the dollar store for those cube things, and lined the inside with foam. We had some foam lying around, but some folks will use mattress foam or whatever. You make the sides and back as air tight as possible. The bottom you make so that it's padded but you can place your mic inside. My mic is on a homemade stand I made with a wire clothes hanger. The difference in sound is amazing because this cheap little set up helps to eliminate the open air sound. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: Spearcarrier Date: 18 Dec 15 - 10:31 PM You can also search the internets for "portable sound booth" for other such ideas. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: Bonzo3legs Date: 19 Dec 15 - 11:39 AM If you can use a soldering iron, I would suggest "Bonzofessionals" !! All you need are electret mic capsules - the most recent ones I bought cost £2.20 for 20, and stereo cable + appropriate plug. Fix mics through shirt collar button hole and fix cable to shirt with gaffer tape and put recorder in a bum bag. Also great for recording gigs! I guarantee very decent quality. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST Date: 19 Dec 15 - 12:58 PM So Bonz, how many of your bootlegs are randomly interrupted by you coughing, wheezing, burping, and taking the piss out of any nearby lefty looking types at gigs...????? 😜 As to low cost home vocal recording gear, the all in one starter studiokits by CAD, Rhodes, etc are worth consideration. Good quality value for money gear, that saves considerably on buying the individual items separately eg, just one of the CAD starter packs available in different configurations, and price points... http://www.amazon.co.uk/CAD-GXL2200SP-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0009K94L2/ref=lp_1659944031_1_11?srs=1659944031&ie=UTF8& |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 19 Dec 15 - 01:01 PM that was me... or the RODE bundle kit http://www.amazon.co.uk/RODE-NT1-A-Condenser-Microphone-Bundle/dp/B0002PSCQM/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=145054 |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: Musicboy Date: 19 Dec 15 - 06:17 PM You need 1. A way of getting ok sound into the computer. i.e., a reasonable condensor mic, on a stand with a pop shield, a shock proof mount and a reasonable lead (XLR is the standard connctor format). The blue snowball (£64) is probably as good a very low cost option as any. It connects via USB, so is very simple to interface. The Rhodes NT1A (£127 including pop shield, mount and lead) would be my preferred choice, given your budget. It is a good low cost vocal mic, especially if you can get it at the amazon price quoted, but watch out for forgeries (this applies to any half decent kit). A non USB condensor mic, like this will need an audio device of some kind to provide power and preamplification. Behringer make some perfectly useable high value mixers and audio interfaces at very reasonable prices (£30ish). Focusrite make better ones, but they cost more. Adequate Mic stands can be purchased for something like £16-£20.They do need to be reasonably sturdy or will droop under the weight of a mic and shockmount. 2. A recording environment that is not too lively. It is perfectly possible to make a bedroom or living room acceptable, without spending any money (although you can, if you feel so inclined). I have always found items such as duvets, strategically placed, very adequate, even if not perfect. Remember sound reflections come from behind as well as in front and these are usually closer to the microphone and in its highest response zone. Plenty of good advice to be found online. 3. A way of processing the recorded signal to make it the sound package you want. The programmes that do this are known as DAWs. These turn your computer into a virtual multi track sound recorder with full editing facilities and the capability of introducing audio effects such as a touch of reverb to give your sound a bit of sparkle. You may think you don't need more than than one track but you will soon find you do! They will also allow you to export your completed track in a form usable by everyone and on any sort of (digital) playback device. I use Reaper which is cheap (I think £60), easy to use and IMHO the best. I used to use Cubase (not cheap, rather quirky, but probably the best around at the time), I have used Cakewalk too (not cheap either but less quirky). There are others. Your real professionals prefer Protools but that will set you back serious bucks. For you, though, your options are straightforward: Garageband for MACs. Audacity for PCs, Audacity is highly recommended as a "professional" quality DAW that will deliver everything you need or want and it comes absolutely free with no strings and no hidden drawbacks. Available as a safe download here: http://www.audacityteam.org/ When you feel the need to know more there is tons of stuff on the web but the items above are all you really need to get started. Greg There is a bit of a learning curve associated with all these but there's loads of excellent on line help. ! getting sound into your PC a) Very cheap option: USB microphone (e.g., as recommended: The Devine Pro USB https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/studio-microphone/usb-microphone?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&ut) This will plug straight into a pc with no interfacing but you would need some peripherals, including, at least, mic stand and pop shield). b) Not so cheap but still affordable and heaps better: NT1A Condensor mic with audio interface (e.g., again, as reccomended http://www.amazon.co.uk/RODE-NT1-A-Condenser-Microphone-Bundle/dp/B0002PSCQM./ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=145054 This is a more than adequate vocal mic for the money and is a good choice if your budget will stretch. 2. A non USB condensor mic (like option 1b)) will need an audio interface supplying power for the mic (known as phantom power, standard is 40V) and preamplifying the mic signal to a usable level. cheap but not too bad (I started out with something similar and manged ok):https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/analogue-mixing-desk/behringer-xenyx-502-pa-and-studio-mixer?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK%20-%20Bing%20-%20Sound%20%26%20PA%20-%20Longtail&utm_term=xenyx%20502&utm_content=Behringer%20XENYX%20502%20PA%20and%20studio%20mixer |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: Musicboy Date: 19 Dec 15 - 06:24 PM Thoght I'd deleted the stuff at the bottom! It's relevant though, but phantom power is usually 48V. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,Tyler Alderson Date: 19 Dec 15 - 10:56 PM Thanks for all the replies! I should have noted that I have done a fair bit of recording and have a Zoom H6, which is a nifty bit of equipment that can function as both a standalone recorder and an audio interface with 6 inputs (an XY stereo pair and 4 XLR inputs with phantom power). I'm hoping to do something similar to Tim Eriksen's Soul of the January Hills, a very simple setup in a nice space with good natural acoustics and reverb. I've considered the Rode NT1A, as the aforementioned album used a Rode stereo mic, but I've heard mixed review about the NT1A. Again, though, it's tough to know what to think, because most people aren't using it in the same situation I would. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 20 Dec 15 - 12:54 AM ... in that case then, obviously you'll be wanting to aspire higher than entry level beginners mics, even though most are capable of very respectable audio quality. Certainly if the emphasis is on recording the warmth and nuances of stark naked vocal performance I think I'd want to begin by looking at and comparing some of the more affordable valve / tube mics ... eg, Rode probably still market a well respected moderately expensive valve mic & transformer kit.... |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 20 Dec 15 - 01:07 AM eg... www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/31-of-the-best-microphones-for-recording-vocals-446655 http://ehomerecordingstudio.com/best-vocal-mics/ "The Rode NTK Rode NTK - vocal recording microphones Most experts agree…for vocals, nothing beats the warm vintage sound of a tube mic. So on a list of the top mics for recording vocals…we gotta have at least ONE, right? The problem is…most tube mics cost $3000 or more. But there are a few exceptions. And in the "under $700", there's none better than the Rode NTK. If that vintage "tube sound" is what you're after, then I highly recommend this mic." www.musicjunkie.co.uk/magazine/posts/The-Benefits-Of-Using-A-Tube-Microphone/ ok.. bed time for me now... |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: Joe Offer Date: 20 Dec 15 - 02:46 AM It's really hard to find a quiet spot for recording. I thought my home was nice and quiet, until I tried making recordings and started to notice all the background noise. Anything - anything can ruin a recording so quickly. Good luck. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,AR Date: 20 Dec 15 - 10:46 AM Interesting that several of the posts here seem to focus on the idea of minimising or eliminating the sound or reverberance of the space in which the sound is happening - whereas I personally like that, depending on the space. If you have a good-sounding room with a natural reverb that's pleasing and good to you, I'd say it's worth throwing up one or two room mics in addition to whatever main mic which is capturing the voice - that is, a couple of mics placed more distantly from the source of the sound. Then in the mix, the recordings from these more distant mics can be added to the main close vocal recording to taste. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 20 Dec 15 - 11:02 AM ... in an ideal world AR..... Trouble is too many folks live in cramped town centres where noise pollution is inescapable.. Our victorian terraced house has a young family on one side, with a screeching toddler who can be heard through solid brick walls. The road outside our front, is nearly 24/7 traffic and shouting passers by, the back is constant hammering, drilling, building work. At least the neighbours on the other side only make noise from midnight to 4 or 5 am depending on how much they've been drinking, and if they can't hear their music loud enough. During the day, I actually find their dogs sporadic barking quit comforting and thereputic. The crazy thing is, I'm the one who feels obliged to spend significant money on solutions to isolate the volume of my guitars and other music gear from upsetting the neighbours, and avoiding complaints to the local authority... ??? 😣 |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: Deckman Date: 20 Dec 15 - 11:20 AM I use a very simple, and satisfying "ZOOM 2". The very successful trick I find to avoid background noise is to: 1: feed the cats 2: go into my small office and shut the door 3: turn off the telephone 4. make sure that it's three in the morning. It works every time ... bob(deckman)nelson |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,AR Date: 20 Dec 15 - 05:16 PM A very good point, punkfolkrocker. My own situation involves a tribe of stomping kids above me, a family with a penchant for loud television below and the occasional boy racer with a souped-up exhaust pipe outside - maybe not as severe as yours, admittedly. I'm obviously imagining some ideal situation featuring a beautiful church with an amazing acoustic in some tranquil rural setting - which is maybe the kind of environment in which the Tim Eriksen album which the initiator of this thread mentions was recorded in... |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 20 Dec 15 - 07:20 PM You understand your condtions. You are happy with those..... In the long distance past days...a small 8X10 garage....with fiber egg-carton boxes stapled to the walls was a luxury. This thread looks forward to your production. Best Wishes, Sincerely, Gargoyle Go with what you know....but most importantly....Just DO IT ! ! ! |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 20 Dec 15 - 11:02 PM coincidence .. or what... Amazon deal of the day - RODE NT1-A Condenser Microphone Bundle knocked down to Deal Price: £109.99 & FREE Delivery in the UK. http://www.amazon.co.uk/RODE-NT1-A-Condenser-Microphone-Bundle/dp/B0002PSCQM |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 20 Dec 15 - 11:04 PM Rode NT1-A Cardioid Condenser Microphone Overview |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: treewind Date: 21 Dec 15 - 03:26 AM "several of the posts here seem to focus on the idea of minimising or eliminating the sound or reverberance of the space in which the sound is happening - whereas I personally like that, depending on the space." "Depending on the space" is the crucial part of that. Most homes don't have a space big enough to sound good. A small room with a long reverberation time ('bathroom acoustic') is full of huge resonances compared with a large room with the same reverberation time, and a small room with a short reverb time just sounds boxy. For most of us, a good artificial reverb added carefully to a dry recording will make a better sound. If you can find a place like a village hall with a nice acoustic, you could make a great recording there, and if it's only solo voice you can walk in carrying all the recording equipment you need. But that option might cost you, or need friends in the right places... Joe's point is well made too - you don't realize how much background noise there is till you try recording something, and a solo unaccompanied voice leaves a LOT of space for background noise to be audible on a recording. My only large diaphragm mic is a Röde NT2A which is a lovely vocal mic. I took it down to WildGoose records last time I was there and compared it with Doug Bailey's main vocal mics, which are very different sounding, one being quite bright and the other much darker sounding (usually one or the other suits a particular voice/song well) - mine has a sound that was somewhere in between but also sounded very smooth and neutral to me. I'd guess it's less shrill sounding than the NT1 or NT1A, which are both known to be quite toppy. Also it's a multi pattern mic, and the figure-of-8 response with a sound absorbing panel behind it is a great way to cut out background noise. For solo voice, you might find a portable device makes a recording of good tonal quality but high background noise (i.e. electronic hiss, after you've eliminated actual sound like traffic/neighbours etc.) It's an application that particularly benefits from a proper condenser mic and good preamp. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: treewind Date: 21 Dec 15 - 03:28 AM It's not Röde, is it - it's Røde... |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,matt milton Date: 21 Dec 15 - 04:03 AM PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pay attention to the posts above suggesting duvets, blankets, drapes etc in order to acoustically deaden your room. I know the word "deaden" doesn't sound like a positive, but it really is. You need to get rid of all the muddy, boomy bassiness that builds up in the room. Your recordings will be so much clearer as a result. This makes so much more of a difference than the kind of mic or preamp you use. Quickest option is simply to hang a duvet (or several) on a couple of microphone stands, or from the ceiling, behind you when you sing. But it's also worth placing similar arrangements of thick soft deadening material in the corner of your room. Muddy frequencies build up in corners. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,matt milton Date: 21 Dec 15 - 04:06 AM On the subject of microphones: try to buy one that is a Hypercardioid (or supercardioid) pattern. This means they only record what's directly in front of them and nothing else. As a result, they will pick up much more of your voice and much less of the room you're in. So you end up with a clearer, better recording. They Beyerdynamic M69 is a great microphone from this point of view (same goes for its more expensive big brother, the M88). What's your budget? |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,matt milton Date: 21 Dec 15 - 04:13 AM "If you have a good-sounding room with a natural reverb that's pleasing and good to you, I'd say it's worth throwing up one or two room mics in addition to whatever main mic which is capturing the voice" "a very simple setup in a nice space with good natural acoustics and reverb" Yes, in theory, that is the holy grail. But in practice, those spaces are much rarer than you would have thought. I've used several spaces in my time that to my own ears sounded wonderful but recordings made in them actually sounded much worse than recordings made in my lounge. If you have access to a large space, with high ceilings, then definitely use it. But please note that even the huge main room at Abbey Road studios, which is big enough to accommodate orchestras, still has acoustic panels on the walls, ceilings and corners. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,matt milton Date: 21 Dec 15 - 04:28 AM The mic that all the mic-geeks are currently all excited and raving about is the Warbler: https://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end-theory/999545-affordable-ldc-microphone-multiple-voicings.html If you have a naturally bright and articulate voice then I think the Warbler original and the Warber IV are the ones to go for. I'm personally really into dynamic mice these days, such as the aforementioned Beyerdynamic M69 and M88, though I also really like the EVRE20. But that's mainly because I like 'dark' mics and because I hate the sound of my voice - it always sounds really thin to me. If you wanted to go for a tube mic, then the M-Audio Sputnik is a real bargain secondhand. It sounds better to me than plenty of mega-expensive tube mics. Keep an eye out on eBay. However, I find tube mics a pain in the ass, as the valve in them will eventually need replacing; plus they always come in such massive cases; plus you have to plug 'em in and warm 'em up each time... |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 21 Dec 15 - 08:53 AM The Peavey M1 AND M2 Studio PRO Series Mics are dark mics which are apparently quite popular in the USA but relatively unknown in the UK. Review - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov10/articles/peavey-m2.htm I picked up one of each very cheap when Peavey UK closed their operation last year and a load of heavily discounted gear hit the clearance sales. Can't say I've used them yet apart to test if they were working. But they're in the tool kit now for whenever. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Recording Solo Unaccompanied Voice From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 28 Dec 15 - 02:48 PM If anyone is interested... SE ELECTRONICS X1 T TUBE MICROPHONE Knocked down to £99 at www.absolutemusic.co.uk. According to this positive review it was supposedly £299, not so long ago.. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep14/articles/se-x1t.htm The same shop has also knocked down SE electronics's top of the range RF Space Reflexion Filter to £109. Massive Sales price cut, limited numbers of each, and other SE electronic mics still available... The wife's away visiting her family until new year, she'll never know what I have delivered this week... 😜 |
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