As a home studio “engineer,” you can do everything right to set your singer up for success…
Yet the final product is STILL mostly in their hands.
And other than their actual singing ability, the other HUGE factor that determines the outcome is their microphone technique.
Singers with little experience behind a mic make nervous, fidgety head movements at random, which can ruin the recording of an otherwise great performance.
Skilled singers on the other hand, make deliberate, purposeful head movements that SIGNIFICANTLY improve the overall sound.
For instance, here are 4 common techniques they’ll use:
By moving closer to the mic as they get softer, and further as they get louder…
They level out their own volume fluctuations, dramatically reducing the amount of compression required later on.
By adjusting their angle and distance from the mic, they can virtually eliminate any traces of popping or sibilance.
And they can do it without even using a pop filter.
By moving in closer to the mic during softer, more delicate passages, they can add a beautiful sense of intimacy to their tone.
By turning their head to the side with each breath, they avoid those awkward breath sounds that must be later edited out.
And the really good ones know when to intentionally breathe INTO the microphone for effect.
Up next, let’s talk about how to help your singers acquire these skills if they don’t already have them…
The truth is…few singers you work with will have really good mic technique.
But rather than trying to fix everything with editing…why not give them a few pointers to help them fix it themselves?
You see, unlike pro studios…
The great thing about home recording is…the people you record are typically your friends, and you guys have all the time in the world to get things right.
So after you explain to them the 4 techniques I just showed you…let ’em practice. And assuming they’re decent musicians, they’ll eventually figure it out.