How to Sing While Recording

As technology booms, home recording equipment has become less expensive and simple to use, meaning even low-budget garage bands can create a killer studio-quality album. Vocals may be one of the most difficult sounds to record. However, learning a few simple tips, as well as how to sing for best sound, will ensure a great recording in fewer takes.

Instructions

1. Take the time to get your headphone mix correct, adding a bit of reverb, making sure the volume is right and adjusting your sitting or standing position to a set distance from the microphone. The headset mix can help you sing better while recording, as it adds special effects to your voice and often boosts confidence.

2. Pick a good microphone as well, or even the best vocal performance will sound hollow and weak. You don't have to be rich to purchase a good mic, as versatile Shure SM58's begin at around $100. However, if you want to get fancy, you could spend up to thousands of dollars on a single microphone.

3. Equip your microphone with a pop shield which will help to soften S's, P's and T's in your vocals. A pop shield is inexpensive and well worth the extra cash, as it eliminates common recording flaws and prevents unexpected pops in the singers headphones, which can cause distraction.

4. Get a good night's sleep before recording day, and make sure you begin your session in the early afternoon. Vocal chords often take until the afternoon to fully "warm up," but by the evening hours, they begin to get tired. The 4 to 10 hours after waking up are best for recording vocals.

5. Relax as you sing, making sure the temperature is comfortable, there are no distractions, you don't need to go to the bathroom and can simply focus your energy on singing the song. If you are distracted, stressed, nervous or scared, your body will tense and affect the tone of your voice, so do whatever you need to do to remain calm.

6. Keep your throat moist and prepared for singing by avoiding tobacco, alcohol, heavy foods and dairy for 24 hours before recording. Make sure that you have cough drops, warm tea with honey and lots of water in the studio to keep your throat satisfied between takes.

7. Remain in a steady position inside the sound room while singing, avoiding shaking the head, stepping back away from the microphone, gripping the microphone, tapping your feet or creating any other motions which can affect the strength of the recording or cause background noise.