Okay, need some vox advice, all you studio genies!

[squids]

So I get a home studio and things are going fine. I can record really intimate vox stuff, sounds great, at least according to folks in the know (using a Baby Blue bottle in a bedroom). But now, voila, Vikki and I are collab'in' on something and it's time to get out the big dawgs. Anyone have an idea how to record full-power vocals? Not screaming but very full-bodied. I'm using an Apogee Duet and Logic Express. Thank you!Squids

[frodo]

Well, have you got a treated room?If not, I suggest buying a sE reflexion filter, very very good (just google it)That will help you incredibly in getting a full bodied and close vocal.Works also well if you have a treated room...In addition: if using a dynamic mic; sing very close, like - touching it with the lips.If using an condenser, experiment, use 12-15 cm as a starting point.Try not to use a pop-filter, but if you must, consider investing in one of metal. That will give you a much better hi-end. The ordinary pop-filter takes out some of the closeness and the sparkle in a vocal.Record at 24 bit resolution.Record without any compression, to max -6 into the computer.If you have much dynamic in your singing technique, aim for minus 12 for the peaks.You'll still have plenty resolution if doing it on 24 bit.Use a closed headset while recording.If you have a computer in the same room, consider investing in long cables and place it somewhere else.Well, that's about it!- until next time.frodo

[silvercord]

I wish you two divas a great song!Frodo has lots of good stuff to say about mic recordingi just want to add, the closer you get to the mic the more prox. effect you will have, do a recording test to see what your voicesounds like at different distances from the mic...on 'some parts dreaming my life away', i 'ate' the mic in placeswhere i thought i shouldn't have, but it worked...so distance could really help you know how to hit that sweet spot!happy recording!!!!!!!

[devin]

I too am looking forward to hearing the results of your collaboration!I've done a couple of mic comparison tests with some local studios in my area...and the Blue products really are great. Closed back headphones will really help get your full volume technique down. I had an opera singer infront of a condensor mic for her first time...so much power, she could have stood in the garage and I'd still be clipping! Here's what we did...start off with this, then experiment like crazy until you find what you're after:- large diaphram condenser, overhead stand, mic upside down, diaphram level with her nose (this is a little higher than normal, but when she stepped back for the louder parts, the neck angle worked out well)- sing up into the mic for the first half of her volume- we used a pop filter- told her to pretend the mic was her lover's ear...back up when you're yelling at them, in close when you want to get suggestive- even with the pop filter, she had to sing slightly "past" the diaphram. When facing the mic, she slightly turned her head to the left.I think the Baby Bottle would do fine, just give it a bit of room when you're going all Janice Joplin on it!

[davekershaw]

May 14, 2008, 3:55am, devin wrote:told her to pretend the mic was her lover's ear...back up when you're yelling at them, in close when you want to get suggestiveWhat about husbands?My wife don't back up!!

[milfus]

another trick, stick a mic in the far corner, and bleed it through for ambience on your vocal, it will bring the atmosphere more localized to your voice, bigger voice, same voltage, =0)

[mazz]

With full voiced singing, you'll have to find a balance between:1. Decent levels but not clipping.2. How much room sound you'll get, as you'll need to "work the mic" for the louder parts.Recording at 24 bit will certainly allow you to achieve good resolution and still leave plenty of "headroom" below digital clipping. frodo's level guidelines will work well.I'd try a few mic techniques to see what works. If you turn your head or back up a bit on the louder parts, the sound will change a bit and you might pick up some room but if you set the gain correctly, you won't have to move much. I've had good luck with hanging the mic from above and angling it back slightly. The voice is still in the cardiod pattern but outside of the "blast zone" which minimizes plosive popping. devin's idea is right on for this type of thing.Proper gain staging and good mic technique will get you there!HTH,Mazz

[hummingbird]

May 13, 2008, 4:44pm, squids wrote:So I get a home studio and things are going fine. I can record really intimate vox stuff, sounds great, at least according to folks in the know (using a Baby Blue bottle in a bedroom). But now, voila, Vikki and I are collab'in' on something and it's time to get out the big dawgs. Anyone have an idea how to record full-power vocals? Not screaming but very full-bodied. I'm using an Apogee Duet and Logic Express. Thank you!SquidsI play with the mic input on my mic preamp. I also angle the mic so I am not singing directly into it, it is pointing to my lips from the side. and I'm usually about 4 or 5 inches from it. I run also a very light compression to avoiding clipping.if I know it's going to be very full bodied, then sometimes I'll set the mic so it is above me, kinda 'kitty corner' from me in my 'booth'. HTHV

[squids]

Roger that!! Thanks everybody for the very succinct, easy-to-understand instructions.I'm goin' iiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnn!!

[squids]

Jes wanted to follow up. Thanks so much guys, it worked great!! I was relaxed, it gave me room (took the advice about tilting the mic back a bit and up a bit from my mouth while singing at an angle across it) and I won't forget it. Thanks so much. I know Vikki's thanking you too, she got a nice clean signal from me.