Vocals to Quality Input

Frequently asked Q’s in Music Technology and their A’s

1. What are the best vocal recording software for beginners?

If you are just starting your journey of vocal recording, there might not be a need to spend money right away. There are a couple of simple programs, to begin with before moving to a DAW where most audio production is done. For a free audio editor, you might check out Audacity or MixPad/WavePad. As for free DAW, try to start with Cakewalk by Bandlab or something online like Soundtrap.

• Do professional artists need to take vocal classes?

For some people, singing is a family thing, and they tend to grow practicing every day with their parents and friends.

However, even if singing is a specialized use of the voice, it requires some degree of listening and learning. Therein lies the mystery. For some professional artists, their vocal abilities are realized without conscious work. In contrast, for others, it has to be achieved after years of study, listening, being corrected, and encouraged.

• What vocal effects are used to give vocals an airy, ethereal, or breathy sound?

The voice recording is doubled and run through multiple delays and echo to have an airy, ethereal, or breathy sound.

Sound recorded is doubled and then fed through a (»500mS) delay with just a bit of regeneration, whose output is then fed to a reasonably bright reverb. Note that; a lot of the breathy quality of the untreated vocal has to do with microphone choice and EQ settings, but not vocal effects.

• What is a good digital console for studio recording purposes?

The Behringer X32 or Midas’ M32 console are currently the most recommended consoles for any small studio. (Midas’ M32 has better sounding inputs and outputs than the X32)

Even though any console with enough channels and a computer interface built-in will work, it all depends on your exact needs.

M32 STUDIO CONSOLE

• Why do many large digital recording studios still feature huge analog consoles?

There are a couple of reasons why recording studios still use analog consoles. The first is Uniqueness.

Large analog consoles are quite expensive today, and because of that, not all studios can afford one. Like any other business, having something unique gives you a competitive advantage. The second reason would be Simplicity. Although analog consoles can be complex, once you understand the basics, they are pretty easy to operate and consistent from channel to channel. Thirdly, there are still many engineers in the music industry doing audio recording for decades. Although they don’t mind recording to ProTools, they don’t want to mess with it. They choose to leave that to the assistant and stick to the analog way.

For continued developments around music, pieces of equipment, and brand-new technologies, be sure to check out our next volume dropping soon!.