Vocal recording is regarded by some as a dark science and by others as just a simple matter of placing a microphone in front of the vocalist and pressing the record button. The truth, of course, lies somewhere between the two. In this article, I’d like to take you through some of the principle procedures and functions that will introduce you to the basics of vocal recording to help make it an easier and more satisfying task.

We will look at beginner’s microphone choices, what hardware suits your needs, address software options, a few fundamental techniques and finish off with a brief look at what happens once you have completed your vocal recording session.

Music and Recording

Sports Commentating, Podcasting, Film Narration, Advertisement Voice-over, Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR), Audio Book, Radio Play and, of course, where vocal recording is probably most commonly employed – singing. I felt it was important to list the many wide and varied applications of vocal recording because each one has its own unique discipline and technique and recording singers is no exception.

  • Vocal Recording
  • Choir Recording
  • Sound Recording
  • Instrument Recording
  • Crowd Recording
  • Field Recording

Field Recording in New York City

Field recording is the term used for an audio recording produced outside a recording studio, and the term applies to recordings of both natural and human-produced sounds. It also applies to sound recordings like electromagnetic fields or vibrations using different microphones like a passive magnetic antenna for electromagnetic recordings or contact microphones. For underwater field recordings, a field recordist uses hydrophones to capture the sounds and/or movements of whales, or other aquatic organisms. These recordings are very useful for sound designers.

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