How to Produce and Record Music Vocals

Recording music can often be a difficult process if you are not already working with some knowledge of how the recording studio process operates. Laying down vocals doesn't have to be as arduous as it seems if you are prepared and armed with a little prior knowledge. Follow some steps to help you produce and record music vocals and make the process a bit smoother for everyone involved.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. First locate a suitable recording studio in which to record the vocals. Look on line or in your local yellow pages for available fully equipped studios with microphones, headphones, soundboards, music stands and other necessities for recording.
2. Find someone knowledgeable about the recording process to help you record the music, even if you will be the primary recorder. Make sure this person is familiar with soundboarding, compressor setting, ratios and output/input.
3. Place the microphone at least 6 to 9 inches from the vocalist to prevent a hissing or too much breath sound. Ensure there is water at room temperature, a music stand and a pair of closed back headphones for the vocalist to utilize during the recording.
4. Decide what level you want to record the vocals; typically it is done on 16bit or 24bit with each option having different benefits. Record a few takes before truly beginning the session to get a feel for levels, feedback, and mic sounds.
5. Help the vocalist to feel comfortable and give her honest feedback according to what you hear on the production side of the booth. Guide the vocalist to better utilize the recording space and be efficient in your time since recording studio time is typically expensive.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a pop shield in the recording studio to help with production values and background noise.
• Record away from any extraneous noise sources such as noisy streets or buildings.
• If you are setting up a home recording studio, place a duvet cover around the recording area to absorb excess sound.
• Do not clip your recordings; it will create an unfinished and unprofessional sound.