Recording and mixing vocals is an essential aspect of music production. Vocals are the most important element of a song, conveying the emotions and message of the lyrics. It's crucial to get the recording and mixing right to create a professional and polished final product.
Find a suitable space
Firstly, when recording vocals, it is essential to have a suitable recording space. The room should be quiet, free of echo and have good acoustics. The microphone should be placed at an appropriate distance from the singer and adjusted according to the singer's tone and volume. A pop filter is used to reduce plosive sounds.
Be ready for multiple takes
Recording usually involves multiple takes and then compiling the best phrases from each take. (i.e. if take 3 of line 1 was best, and take 5 of line 2 was best, those are stitched together to create the perfect take).
Crafting the mix
Next, it's time to mix the vocals. The first step is to clean up any unwanted background noise or pops that may have been picked up during the recording. Then, equalisation (EQ) is used to adjust the vocal's frequencies to fit the song's overall mix. Compression is then applied to even out the vocal's volume, making sure it's consistent throughout the song. Effects such as reverb or delay are also used to add depth and space to the vocal track.
It's all about balance
It's crucial to ensure that the vocals are well balanced with the other elements of the song. The vocals should be prominent enough to be heard clearly but not overpowering. It's also essential to pay attention to the stereo image and ensure that the vocals (and any backing vocals) are placed appropriately in the stereo field.
Trust your ears
Mixing vocals is a crucial aspect of music production. With careful attention to recording techniques, and the use of various mixing tools, you can create a professional and polished final product. Remember to always trust your ears and experiment with different techniques to find the perfect mix.
Uptown Studios specialises in vocal production and clients fly in from all over the world to record their vocals with us. Hopefully we'll be recording yours here soon!
Award winning producer & mix engineer
Uptown Studios is run by hit songwriter, music producer and mix engineer Anthony Galatis. Anthony brings 20 years experience, knowledge and skill to every session, expertly guiding artists, writers, voiceover artists and creative agencies through each step of the recording and production process.