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Arelinda
Records
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 | Close and intimate with minimal reverberation. |
| Blended group playing with a large hall sound. |
| Classical and symphonic with ample reverberation. |
| Layered and complex with tight and controlled reverberation. |
Especially when recording voice, different microphone types (e.g. dynamic, condenser), brand and quality can produce very different results. It is important to take some time to sample different mics and choose the ones that create the sound that you want and is consistent with the overall tone of the recording. Arelinda has a variety of mics to choose from.
There are different microphone placement techniques for every instrument, including voice. Placement can effect overall tone (e.g. more/less ambience and reverberation) and quality. Experimenting with mic placement before beginning a recording session is important to achieving the recording quality desired. Arelinda maintains a library of suggested starting points for microphone placement for all instruments, including voice.
Vocal microphone technique is perhaps the most challenging. The voice has a wide dynamic (the difference in volume between the softest and loudest passages) and tonal range.
Large diaphragm condenser mics are generally preferred for studio voice recording. They are very sensitive and pick up even the slightest nuance and dynamics in the voice. The advantage to this is being able to record the exact personality and tonal quality of the singer. The challenge is to keep dynamics and unwanted sound (e.g. sibilance - harsh "s" sounds) under control. This can be done by the singer (maintaining a proper distance from the microphone) and through recording electronics (microphone pre-amplifier tone controls and workstation mixing effects.) Finding the proper mixture of these requires experimenting with an individual singer's voice and technique.
Dynamic microphones are less sensitive. They are more preferred for stage performance, but can also be used in the studio. They require less sophisticated singing and recording techniques, but record less of the subtle qualities of the singers voice.
Making a good vocal recording depends in large part of the quality of the voice. Developing a good voice can be enhanced by using good vocal teachers (e.g. John Yankee, Seth Riggs). Because today's microphones and recording equipment are so sensitive, proper attention must be paid to accuracy during recording. This can be aided with the use of headphones to give a good feedback to the singer. It is important to listen closely, during recording and playback, to the quality of vocal production. With practice, it is possible to produce consistent vocal quality.
Whenever possible, record yourself and listen to the results. Even on simple equipment, you will be able to hear things you do not pick up listening to yourself in real-time.
Work out your parts ahead of the recording session. Know your solos and how you want them to sound. Rehearse more songs than you plan to record -- hearing them in playback may change your mind on which ones to keep.
A good recording requires a prepared and maintained body. Eat and sleep well, and keep your ears in good shape for good listening. Don't overdo a recording session. Drink plenty of water but don't use ice. Hot tea and honey works well too. Quit when you are tired.
Emotions and feeling make the best recordings. The technical aspects are very important, but the human touch is the key to a successful sound.
During the recording session, spend the most time on the aspects of the songs that are the most important (e.g. vocals, a particular instrument.)
Try to as much as possible capture the sound you want during recording. Enhancements can be made during mixing, but the fundamental sound should be set when recording.
Although you can use effects during recording for listening during performance, the tracks recorded should be without effects (e.g. reverb, equalization). These effects should be added during mixing.
Keep instruments in tune, including the voice.
Listen to the results on a variety of speakers (e.g. small, large) -- just as your audience will.
Plan adequate time for recording. It usually takes longer than you think it will.
There are a wide variety of effects that can be added to a recording during mixing. Examples include:
| Compression |
| Equalization |
| Reverberation |
| Delay |
| Chorus |
| Ambience |
It is important to use only the right amount of effects needed to achieve the desired recording quality and tone. The digital workstation allows experimenting with effects before making selections for final production.
Various production and distribution options exist for the recording results. It can be helpful to review these in preparation for recording.
Arelinda is a Registered Trademark of Arelinda Media.All other products mentioned are registered trademarks or
trademarks of their respective companies.
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Creating music in a recording studio is somewhat different in nature than in
a purely acoustic setting. Today's