Denver Recording Studio

One of the most important things to consider when tracking vocals is the use of a mic pre-amp.

In general (and in my opinion), nothing sounds better than a fat, warm tube pre-amp… Not only does the pre-amp boost the signal of your recorded material, but tube pres add a particular color that has been classic for decades. In short, a good pre-amp can make a below-par mic sound like a birdie!  One of my favorites here at CCM is the Signature Series LA-610 from Universal Audio. It is modestly priced and has an in-your-face, yet smooth sound. Running a mic directly into your DAW interface is just not a good idea if you’re looking for a “professional” sound. A mic pre- boosts your signal-to-noise ratio and seems to bring the vocalist closer to your ear…

Which brings us to compression…

Don’t over-compress when tracking! While a lot of the warmth, clarity and closeness of a vocal is a product of good compression, don’t record a lot of compression in because you cannot go back - hence, the perfect take may be blown. Instead, use light compression while tracking, no eq unless absolutely necessary, and focus more on mic placement and vocal talent. Many times, it’s the vocal talent themselves that determines the quality of sound that is produced and any amount of tweaking in or out of the box can’t change a crappy performance.

When recording, don’t overload your pre-amp input. I find that recording at a lower level input (between -12 and -6db), my gear works more smoothly. Unless you are going for some gritty, distorted, overdriven effect, there’s no reason to over-push the vocal in either the analog or the digital world. Record your signal with a little bit more room to spare and leave the loudness wars to the mastering engineers.

So, in final, invest in a nice pre-amp (they hardly lose their worth) and focus your attention on mic choice and placement. Once the mic and mic pre compliment the vocalist or instrument, focus attention on producing the artist to achieve a quality recording. Record at a modest signal with very little compression and no eq and continue to remember that it’s the performance shining through the recording that is what’s important. And if you don’t have the money for both a nice mic and a nice pre-amp, go with a nice pre-amp. 

- Mike with the Mic

CCM Studios

Broken Tongues Music