Vocal Recording Mistakes To Avoid - Part 1

[TerribleFan]

You, good sir, just earned my subscription. :D Good tips, I'm new to audio recording and mastering. Fortunately, I'm already versed in EQ, compression, and FX mixing of virtual instruments.

[colyheaven]

thank you so much for this!

[bprince9]

Great Video! Keep up the great work!

[zapzzapzzapz]

5 mins to say: Low cut is good to use, when you don't need sub. Cleans the whole mix and gives more headroom. 5 mins?

Yawn.

[PureLyricism]

@zapzzapzzapz except to ppl dont know wtf a highpass filter is or headroom which would be the only ppl looking at this vid in the 1st place

[PattyWhomperOFFICIAL]

yea no high pass filters... just let the rumbles roam free... free range organic rumbles...

[bitcheznhos]

i smelt a butt 2day

[StabbyMcButterPants]

There's an old rule which still applies today that's very, very important for professional, high quality vocals, "Always compress to tape". With digital recording, it still applies. Vocals need compression at the front end before they go to your recording device. You can add more once it's recorded, but it must sound perfect before it's recorded. Use this philosophy when recording everything...Drums, guitars, bass, etc.. When compressing, "less is more". Everything cannot be solved in post.

[Chr0nalis]

hmm .. just learning how to master and every thing now , helped me understand a few things abit more thanks

[Dollar88]

Very friendly and easy to understand. I'm getting started and have a home studio. Its very difficult starting from scratch. Thanks for the great explanation

[lamali24]

definite help, had no idea

[bilgueits]

how can I cut these low and high frequencies ??? Are we talking of simply using lowering high and low bands in an equalizer ???

[onearmfrog]

WOw. Really helpful and informative! THanks!

[nblfyb]

ohh, so cut the vocal at the 85Hz and add warmth later. nice.

(Benson and Tonic)

[ayw6688]

What's a good frequency to set a low pass filter at?

[XDirkLanceX]

@ayw6688 125 for only low-low end and I would say go a few bands more if you want to include low-mids.

[ezbowers]

This fool is brilliant!

[musicmachine4000]

then why is he a fool?

[yunggrizzo]

Hey, when im trying to master my tracks, im i suppose to put the mastering affect on each track?

[proaudiohd]

@yunggrizzo - no, just on the master L-R mix.

[aaronfromhastings]

Wow you really do know your stuff. Thanks for sharing, wish I'd heard your wisdom 20 years ago!

[REP2DOM]

It clear now more clear thanx men.

[ServinRecords]

knowing what i know, and seeing what i've seen, this is the BEST help vid (for vocals w/ eq) on youtube-so far!

[topballer51]

this totally changed my whole outlook on the capabilities of my microphone. thank you. i mean, like, within a minute, i realized my mic was turned around the wrong way, so that improved it, then i used the low pass filter and messed with the eq, that made it better, then everything just started to come together for me, i really appreciate this video

[YARDMANMX]

i agree with you on this to had this problem with my vocal to sound clear so i did some research and start

using hi pass filter and have the vocalist step away a little from the mic and now my vocals sound great much clearer and i do minimum EQ ajustment with my focusrite track master and my adk mic

[otteaux]

Good post, man... I'm definitely gonna try some of these tips out.

[STUDIOANIMOSITY]

into high hats like 1/8,1/16, or 1/4 notes.

3.DYNAMICS - Are you reading it? This is energy level of the artist and emotion......Dont think you can fix this in post production.......Get it while tracking! First tries are USUALLY more dynamic then later attempts!

4.LYRICS - Its obvious not all can be good at this but it will also determine how "good" the artist is perceived.

IF the artist BRINGS ALL 4 best he can then it will tracked AS GOOD as it possibly can be!

[STUDIOANIMOSITY]

Here is what I have found as a producer when you record someone and its 4 things that IF the artist gets right they will be A+++ everytime.

1.TONE - Some are born with this but its what gives each person a unique sound..some can fake it while others sound a dime a dozen.

2.TIMING - Can you rap on beat? Do you actually hear the beat and can count it out? The ones that do can loosely do the NY thing with balanced breaks or you can do the 3-6 mafia thing and break syllables in NEXT

[zellymusic]

To be Honnest the best teacher is your ears you can watch these techniques all day but you must also do it try it out!

One may know what a compressor is but when to use it is the question

[grrrfield]

good post

[zellymusic]

I am a recording Engineer of 20 years! I will check this out later on!

[zellymusic]

OK how is this a response to the Pro Remote video

this Video does not mention anything of the pro remote its merely a means of using the popularity of that video to draw folks here to look at this video and possibly end up buying it lol every thing is sales ! well as for me I will leave this page and go back to the Pro remote because thats what I want! not this!

[muffythevampirelayer]

I'm just learning the art of recording as a hobby, in my bedroom studio and as a complete novice, this is really useful. Thanks, Rob (UK)

[WhitechapelFan]

how are you gonna make a video on vocal recording mistakes when i can hear the wind off your voice in the mic? It distracted me the whole time

[zellymusic]

Exactly!

[pdilla]

skip to 1:30

[MusicMan20061210]

Yes,cutting with a HP filter at 85 Hz or so is a great idea.I have a fairly low voice,so I set it at maybe 100 Hz or so,even with the large ribbon mic I have.

It's just a bunch of low rumble below that anyway.

[Lifesucksdie123]

that was a great video!

after watching your videos all the sudden my music sounds great!

thanks kaliquy!

[ian20n]

What I meant is that, somebody told I would have a better source product if I don't use compressor. I was told that if I record my source pour I won't have future problem when mixing time comes. What do you think I should about it? Thank you so much.

[ian20n]

Thank you so much for these tips. They have helped me a lot. I have a question. I'm using Duet from apogee with Logic pro 8. I'm connecting my pre am ISA 428 Focusrite to my compressor 166XL dbx and from there to my Duet. I just wan to know if that's right. If not. Could help to have a best setting? I'm also experimenting some noise coming from my Pre am and from my compressor. Somebody told that it's to record without a compressor. And maybe I don't need a Pre am if I'm using Duet. Thank you.

[TucsonLuni520]

Great Video And Great Tips

Thank You

[dvnobles]

This is the most informative video I've seen so far and makes sense. Thanks. //dan

[khaliqovision]

Thanks Dan.

[GoofyKrewProductions]

were can i get a good mic recording thingy at

[khaliqovision]

Are you talking about a preamp thingy?

[GoofyKrewProductions]

is that with the filter thing in front of the mic then yea

[jrod9900]

Your talking about a pop filter. You can get em at Guitar Center or other Pro Audio stores.

[chefenes]

im lost... by filter you mean pop filter for the mic?

[khaliqovision]

No - I'm referring to an EQ filter.

[chefenes]

ohh... ima go research that, not really sure what that is but i find out soon. thanks

[zzbmg2001]

Khaliq, you explain this so basically and perfectly. Being a newbie, I never really knew what everyone menat with low pass filter or high pass filter. (and speak slowly thank God, which many other tutorials speak wayyyy too fast) anyhow, just got your DVD with the extras off your site. Can't wait man! Thanks

William

[khaliqovision]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate you.

[christopherisbored]

good video, and i know u probly won't know this but do u know how to get a good electric guitar sound with distortion when recording?

[khaliqovision]

I'm actually in the process of making something that will address the guitar.

[hugoaboud]

@christopherisbored man, i was wondering it some time ago.. but now i know, hehe, look for a program called "Guitar Rig" :D

[Phloxx1]

by saying not using EQ fiters. Are you saying that we shouldnt use them or that we should

[khaliqovision]

You definitely SHOULD use filters when appropriate.

[jim1jz]

This guy sounds like towely from southpark. "I'm so high right now" good vid

[jeffmara]

very cool advice! Thanks alot!

[BobUSMC1]

kool video and useful tips! appreciate it.

Any tips for editing multi tracked drums?

[khaliqovision]

I understand your confusion. I wasn't even sure what a filter actually WAS for quite a while.

A filter (both high-pass and low-pass types)can be on either hardware OR software.

The symbol looks like a steep cliff - a flat line with a sharp fall-off on either the left or right side of the symbol.

Imagine a capital "L" rotated clockwise and laying on it's side. That almost looks like the symbol for a high-pass filter.

It passes the highs and chops off (filters) the low end.

Hope this helps.

[lilseggy]

ok a bit confused the filter is hardware or software?

[khaliqovision]

Filters can be both hardware or software.