What makes a good recording? Gives a live performance life? Makes the difference between a groundbreaking song that marks a milestone in music history and just another top ten hit? In most cases, if not almost all, its the vocal performance. In a few cases, maybe its a legendary guitar or drum performance, but more often than not, its the vocals that make us feel something special.
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.
Let’s say it again together - “start with a good quality vocal microphone…” save yourself the heartache and hours trying to do a fix-up on someones vocal performance. It’s pretty simple, bad vocals will sound a little better, and great vocals will sound amazing. If you or the person you are recording has a message, don’t point a crappy mic at them and hit record. Spend a few hundred bucks, get a good one, and thanks me later.
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