Focus on noise: Even if you record digitally, electrical equipment in your room can cause interference in your analog gear. 3 common sources of noise: Lights, mobile phones, and monitors. Try recording a track normally, then re-record with your lights and phones and monitors turned off. If there’s a difference, you’ve got noise to eliminate.
A second vocal mic adds possibilities at mix time: Add a second microphone to your vocal recordings, one that audibly differs from your main vocal mic. For example, if you normally use a large condenser mic for vocals, add a small dynamic mic, like an SM57. Place the second mic as close as you can to the main mic, so both record the same sound
This second mic can be used to colour your vocal. For example, you can heavily compress the sound of this mic while leaving the main mic untreated. Or try switching between each mic throughout the song, perhaps to get a different vocal sound in the choruses.
Everyone can have good ideas: Even drummers.
Tags: tips-digest, vocals
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Interesting though, I hadn’t thought of that. Currently, I just use my MXL v67g for everything, and my SM57 just sits on a shelf. Have you used this combo technique in any of your songs, or know of any other examples of what the technique might sound like (i.e. compressing one and not the other, or switching back and forth, etc)?
-dreamspin
Hmm, even though it’s not a great example, the only song that comes to mind immediately is Storm. That was a combination SM58 and V77. The SM58’s there the whole time, and the V77 just in the verses for more “breath” sound. But like I said, it’s not a great example ’cause the effect’s pretty subtle.
I should put together a more concrete example.