Hear the Difference a Good Vocal Microphone Makes.
What makes the difference between a groundbreaking song and just another flash in the pan top 10 hit? What is the key to capturing a performance during a recording session or missing the juice? There’s a part of every important song that has defines the milestones in modern music history – it’s the vocal performance. Sometimes and amazing piano piece, or guitar par speaks to us, but almost always, it’s a vocal.
Its for this reason that home recording enthusiast have to follow a simple precept, and that is, start with the best. Compromising on quality is never as evident as it is when you skimp out on adding a quality vocal microphone to your recording setup. Of course, we all can’t afford top of the line Neumann tube condenser microphones, but it’s still possible to get a great mic and still keep within your budget.
Adding a good vocal microphone to your setup is one area where you should probably spend a little more than you want to. Regardless of your end goals, you need to start with the best vocal setup you can afford. The truth is, most early home recordings aren’t worth a listen simply because the vocal track ends up requiring so many boosts, cuts and effects to cut through the mix, that it actually ends up sounding horrible when it finally does cut through.
This is exactly why in this case, conventional wisdom prevails – start with the best vocal microphone that your budget will allow for. While you’re in the early stages of setting up your home studio, set a budget, and then double what you wanted to spend on a vocal microphone… you won’t regret it – I promise. There’s just no sense in spending a whole bunch of money on Logic or Pro Tools, a nice tube preamp and some Tannoy monitors if all you’ve got is a Shure SM57 to record the vocals with. Believe, you won’t want top hear those recording in six months and you will end up having to do it all over again.
Start with the right equipment ” get yourself a quality vocal microphone, you will be glad you did. These days, there are tons of manufacturers like AKG, Audio Technica, Shure, Sennheiser, and others who make decent microphones in the $200-$400 range. A large diaphragm cardiod condenser microphone will give your vocals shape and clarity, allowing your vocal tracks to cut through the rest of the mix.
It really cant be said enough. Get yourself a quality vocal microphone before you record anything. Bad vocals will sound a little better, and great vocals wont be wasted. If youve got something to say, dont let your message get lost in the mix.
