Good vs Bad - Vocal Recording

[@chromaticperception]

Pro tip for every vocalist before every recording session: warm tf up. Seriously.

[@Adoraborealis_MikeMesserMusic]

Say it again!!!! Truer words have not been spoken

[@Skwidd_Man]

Or get a lil' drunk... Lol

[@thespeaker00]

@@Skwidd_Man ON GOD 😭

[@LolloMarinoItalia]

What does tf stands for?

[@thespeaker00]

@@LolloMarinoItalia wtf= what the f*ck so tf = the f*ck

[@efesimsek550]

Haha jokes on you my recording equipment is my phone and my Google Drive

[@Ltellin669957]

i know that feel bro

[@risant2483]

bro I'm recording on band lab and my phone AND Chromebook 😭 LMAO

[@AbelXAnne]

@@risant2483 Bandlab supremacy

[@JamesCarnmal]

Hah. I use Google Drive after every session to download them to my main computer whose fans are too loud to record with.

[@RiaLuna1]

@@risant2483 BandLab is awesome! I used to use it before, now I use Ableton :) Ableton is a level up for sure but I enjoyed BandLab as well

[@GustafWestin]

You have a radio voice 🎶

[@luizjanela]

Tons of compression? lol

[@TheMusicalMedic]

Proximity effect, compression, and mic placement.

[@garbygarb31]

He has radio equipment.

[@Sealios]

Why would you insult him like that?

[@SteelBlueVision]

Too much reverb!

[@elijahwohlers9945]

A lot of these tips are good if you are recording yourself but recording other people is different. first sound check and then leave headroom from the soundcheck because artists always sing louder during a performance than they do sound check ( even if you tell them to sing the loudest possible). Another good tip is to make sure the singer is standing and the mic is pointed at their forehead hanging from above, this makes them use their entire diaphragm and will also keep the mic from clipping. All of the mixing/processing is your fault, take it step by step, listen to the full mix each time, (MAKE SURE IT IS GOOD!) and make sure before you master that your mix really only hits on average -5dBs, this will give room for mastering. source, I am a certified Audio engineer that went through college to get my cert's and degree's.

[@theceasarkevlar9155]

Interesting so when u say hanging from above can u elaborate on that briefly for me?

[@elijahwohlers9945]

@@theceasarkevlar9155 have the capsule of the mic pointed downwards towards the ground above the artist with the diaphragm facing the artist forehead. this also depends on the mic. I am referring to a side-address mic and not an end address mic.. this does require either a special mic stand or some homemade hoshposh. im sure if you look up some isolation booth recordings whether it be singers or voice -overs you would see a good example.

[@theceasarkevlar9155]

@@elijahwohlers9945 yeah I've been a in house tracking engineer for about 3 and a half years now. Only thing is I'm "self" taught even though I hate saying that because I've just drawn from resources like your advice here. Funny thing is though I watch the videos like this for entertainment...they become just so repetitive with facts that are "formal" and introductive well suited for "a new set of home studio beginners ears" our critical listening and experience gives us another set sensory analyzer if you will OUR EARS .so when they go to bypass the compressor to teach a visual mix decision... I've already HEARD that attack dialed in a bit too late to tame those initial transients on a wild alteration of LOUDLY TRACKED -3db(omg) BIG BRIGHT BLASTY B-words. Lol I but no knock on the videos it helps guys who aren't confident or trusting their ears yet. I just learn in the NOW days from signal wisdom and Veteran Advice. Thanks for the elaboration.

[@elijahwohlers9945]

@@theceasarkevlar9155 No problem, even though you are experienced, you might be able to learn more from schooling. There are just so many concepts. but here are a couple of books that I have used during my study's and they aren't super expensive. The mixing engineer's handbook by Bobby Owsinski. Modern recording techniques by David Huber. Yamaha Sound reinforcement handbook. and for live sound, Live sound reinforcement by Teddy Boyce. Then we also go through Pro Tools training and get two cert's from Avid; Cert user and Cert operator. I usually check these types of videos out to see if I can learn more.

[@Rck-vert]

U don't have to turn down ur mix at -5 just for mastering, that's optional

[@akash.srivatsa]

That vibrato on 'Amen' is so beautiful!!

[@nathanaelashnonmusic2615]

Lmao. Made my first 3 cents from music streams.

[@VxDxLx]

Noice

[@pickeu]

Stonks

[@OfficialSapphirePhoenix]

I've made just over $3 in 6 months...gotta love it 🙃

[@Calz20Videos]

@@OfficialSapphirePhoenix one year and im at like 7 dollars i love what i do though, so it doesn't matter to me :)

[@kylespratt4072]

I've made like 50 thousand over a few years due to one of my songs going viral 7 million views. It's a tough grind but very rewarding and feel good weather one dollar or hundred

[@korkenknopfus]

Next time you need a slap back delay: “kids, out of the room, I need the place!”

[@aie_aie_]

In my vocals you can hear cars, airplanes, my dog scratching and my phone ringing. 😐 ...I included everything in my songs. 🤪

[@matinajazmine]

You can also hear chickens and kids making noises in mine.and I dont even have kids

[@Pluraltalk]

I got to sample your vocals lol

[@juneygloomey]

Thats art

[@reekrodriqguez6552]

Noise gate?

[@lconnerz100]

@@reekrodriqguez6552 problem is you can’t noise gate the background sounds while singing. It will just be inbetween singing. Personally I hate noise gates. It’s better to edit out the sounds yourself so you have control over it.

[@holierthan]

I like the bad one better. Am I evil? 1:05: don't clip; 3:26: don't sing too close to the mic, don't touch it; 5:30: don't sing too far (for lead vocals mainly); 6:34: use a pop filter or sing off-axis; 8:16: don't overuse FX.

[@jamhamtime1878]

For the last point, it's more like Don't overuse preinput fx (or at all) You can add the fx later, but you can't remove it if you have it before the input.

[@balluse]

Being really close can be cool too. Depending on mic and singer, and style. Billie Eilish' vocals are generally recorded super close up to the mic, like properly almost kissing it. Recently learned this, before I was just super scared to even try it since it's a just a big no-no in most peoples' book.

[@harambo88]

i would love to do that but i am soooo fuckin loud and i have so much pressure i make the membrane stick to the frame if i am not FAR away from the mic. but on the brightside i have a very consistent dynamic wich is even more consistent bc i got mictech. also, i have a lisp. with all that a dynamic mic is often way better for me then a condenser.

[@s0uthpawguitar]

She doesn't sing, she mumble-talks. Her vocals are more relatable to ASMR than to actual singing. So yeah, she's up on the mic. I dont think she's a good example to follow, unless you're going for that specific genre

[@balluse]

@@s0uthpawguitar Nah, there are more examples than her. I've heard other engineers started talking about that "sweet and sexy closeness" that you can only get from being really up close to the mic. Bottom line is, it's not a no-go to be up close to the mic. Do it if the sound fits the style (and mic).

[@animalmother3526]

@@balluse If you're interested in why the mic sounds different super close, look up "proximity effect". Understanding that will help you decide which mics to use for different applications.

[@VxDxLx]

It's music, rules have to be broken or you won't get original music 😂

[@GrantFoxOfficial]

Good stuff, also pause it at 6:11

[@adityarohanik0]

I like it :D

[@viane_cx]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@KG0313]

Heil Gilder!!!!

[@polpottopg]

NAZI

[@xleage]

When he listened to his overprocessed vocals I could see visible discomfort lmfao

[@colesmith16]

Andrew Huang once said that if you don't have a pop filter or anything you can try putting a pencil between you and the mic and it can separate the air that causes the pops.

[@liminalradiofm7899]

i use both a pop filter and a pencil (actually a laser pointer lol) i find that the filter keeps the pops from being too harsh and the pencil helps separate the sound so its not directed exactly toward the microphone

[@Kaori_Suzuki]

You can also place the mic to the side/corner of your mouth instead. So when plosives happen its not hitting the mic directly versus if you put your mouth right front of it.

[@DougParks]

@@Kaori_Suzuki I find pop filters distracting and they also can block things like your lyric copy, so I go sans filter using your technique but also sometimes I will sing slightly over the top of the mic.

[@gettyfeet9119]

Wow the way you teach without all the big technical words 🙏

[@jurgenschuler8389]

Honestly, with a totally dry vocal track I tend to add some mild reverb during editing too make it more realistic and to get it out of the dead closet sound. The reverb on your "bad" recording has a borderline reverb, which won't hurt in the mix. However, with voice over that reverb world be unacceptable. My personal, unproven theory is that that's the reason why a certain large diaphragm dynamic mic is so widely used in podcasts. Very good video!

[@tomasftorek6891]

Straight forward, down to Earth, honest tutorial. Thank you sir.

[@GravytyMusic]

Yo I fuckin appreciate you showing us the results of your experiment despite them disproving your hypothesis. If more people did this in all areas of life we'd all be a lot happier. Glad I had the chance to learn from your mistake today.

[@genolexismusic983]

This guy is so solid. The section where he showed the playroom and how the mix sounds from it was clutch because many people think you need the perfect space to make great music. Subscribed. Always great info.

[@ezequielmed2920]

no time wasted, pure content, love this

[@roxnroll8050]

Gotta say - the vocals sounded great. I actually did find the song on KZbin and had to listen. Like it a lot!

[@davejohnsonmusic]

Pro tip: If you don't have a pop filter laying around, you can just put pantyhose over your head so that it covers your mouth.

[@arthurhenriqued.a.ribeiro2078]

Or do the hush sign as you talk or sing

[@davejohnsonmusic]

@@MattDxstined You apparently, didn't get the joke.

[@jacobdejongh9042]

@@MattDxstined nah i laughed

[@powerthrucontrol]

And the best recording studio is, in fact, the bank.

[@decent.genius]

Lmao

[@szekiftw]

Dude has a legit radio/announcer voice!

[@KI2LA]

thats why i love experimenting... i record very close to the mic... maybe a fist away from the mic... thats how you doesnt record that much of your room... doesn't matter if its more low ends... you can still correct it plus i like that in your face sound 😁

[@yawpaw9796]

In Your Face ☑ *+1 Style Points*

[@ChainsTheChef888]

So staying closer to the mic can prevent the feedback from the bad room acoustics to not go into the mic? i have a room which isn’t treated in any way and i have recorded rap vocals with great quality but i notice some takes have feedback in them, how do you prevent that feedback if you don’t got room acoustics, are there any tricks up the sleeve?

[@KI2LA]

@@ChainsTheChef888 yes... but be carefull with your mic gain... you can easly record your vocal distorted... thats why i always check the gain first with the artist who is recording here... you don't have to this is just what i prefer and like :)

[@ChainsTheChef888]

@@KI2LA Okey so to go to the correct gain levels i should first rap into the mic very close (not touching it) and start to tweak the knob until in that certain close distance the peak is -10 db, correct?

[@KI2LA]

@@ChainsTheChef888 yes -10 or -12 should be fine :)

[@silkroad1201]

The world is not the way it's supposed to be, but change is coming. Amen

[@masallset]

Brroooooo he got the voice of an angel.BEAUTIFUL

[@willrobinson7578]

I like the hopeful message- Amen.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

😊

[@djcj]

That "too much room" problem is soooo real. After 50 productions I've finally been hit with a vocal with too much "room sound" and I couldn't for the life of me figure out the problem until this video. Thank you!

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

Joe: "can't fix it in the mix" - reverb, clipping, and plosives RX8: hold my beer

[@erictaylor7675]

I found this to be extremely helpful. Really well explained, man.

[@Taffer9876]

I just made my first song with a vocal and this helps a lot. Thank you.

[@tinyred9710]

my dude - where were these videos when i needed them a few years ago :(

[@authorwaynestewart4860]

Sooo good. And I'd throw 1/3 of a cent your way everyday of the week.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

You can't put a price on that. 😊

[@WhatAWine]

There is "one" thing you could do if you haven't got a pop-filter (but please get one anyway!) that doesn't only work with plosives but also with all kinds of "s"es. That is: Automate your Vocals. This trick gives you complete control over how loud every single sound is and how it effects the rest of the mix. There is also a nice video about this on KZbin by "House Of Kush", I guess.

[@michaelsimrock5803]

The "bad" take sounded "surprisingly good" because we don't know and hence don't like sounds without reverb. Even outside at least the ground reflects some signal. So the dry voice is unfamiliar and seems not as good as a more roomy take. To really compare the 2 takes u should add some reverb to the "good" take, just enough to make it sound naturally. Then it'd become way clearer why we use to record that way.

[@joshuamartinson8191]

these ideas are so obvious but so important that someone pointed them out

[@AS-fu3uv]

lol "a Lumineers sound and goin 'heey'" great video!!

[@billymcguiremusic]

Watched this shortly after it came out and just had YT recommend it again. It's only such a great video! It's always nice getting a little refresher with music.

[@ALFERprod]

Some of these vox takes are really great, Joe! The slightly distorted bits (raspiness in your voice) sound really good. As usual, excellent video!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Thanks!

[@markclason2717]

Thanx for pointing out the difference between live sound and studio recording. Some rookies don;t always get the differences. It's the same for performers.

[@raymondfox7583]

Just went and listened to "Amen." Wow, those first verse lyrics are especially apropos today. Well done, Joe.

[@TRIOACT]

Brilliant vid thank you from the UK!

[@jermainepaul1562]

How are all of these examples so close in the quality of performance?! Note for note these takes are extremely consistent, it’s blowing my mind !

[@Viper-dz2kw]

The mic being off axis thing was mind blowing tbh

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Right?! It doesn't seem like it should work.

[@darayusgorimaar9594]

This is one of the most educative videos I've watched! Thank you!!!

[@meyermusic9426]

Joe, I had no idea you made christian music! Love your music on spotify man! Thank you!

[@jr_oantonio]

Every single video in this channel teached me something. Thanks, pal.

[@JeffDayPoppy]

When you got to "What is a pop filter? It's pantyhose stretched over..." an embroidery hoop! They are super cheap at any craft store. Enjoy :)

[@ROQSTAR]

That's a great home studio! Looks like a very cozy space to create music. Microphone position (height) is also important. Seen many singers sing into the mic at incredible angles.. 😀

[@bee-gy8sl]

What a beautiful voice ❤

[@BillGraper]

I just recorded a vocal two days ago, and I can definitely hear a reverb sound from my living room, where I record. In the mix, you can't hear the natural reverb. I still have to apply reverb myself.

[@bwall615]

Great video. I love that song by the way.I’ve listened to all your music on Spotify several times. Fighter and Listen are a few of my faves. I’ve made you probably a penny by now.

[@dewaldduplessis]

Hi Joe. Dewald from South Africa. Just want to say thanks for dropping the nuggets! Your vids has helped tremendously and it has made a noticeable difference in my recording, mixing and mastering process. Thanks for being a blessing. Lekker (afrikaans for nice)

[@gdanila]

I think your role as educator (s) is to present people with as many techniques as you can. What I mean by that… you can easily search Paul McCartney mic technique on google and observe the exact opposite of what you are teaching here - lips on the grille/air column straight perpendicular to the diaphragm - and start wondering who is the knowledgeable one between Joe Gilder and Paul McCartney?!😃The thing with getting close to the microphone is that you also get pronounced transient response hence presence not only the boomy low end. Also, most recording engineers “abuse” compressors on the way in which have the tendency to smooth out a vocal and bring out the quality of mics and preamps. So with all due respect, there are more ways to vocal recording than we can imagine depending on the context. What matters is that it sounds good. Cheers!

[@jentaro]

Bruv, the first waveform looks like a redacted line from a top secret CIA document. And sounds like one too.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

🤫

[@mlwsf]

The Taped pencil trick works too as a pop trick

[@jazzplatt8532]

7:22 in a live sound environment you will be using mics like the sm58 that have a pop filter built inside them.

[@jacobdejongh9042]

The clipping vocal sounded like an awesome parallel compression/distortion vibe ahaha

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Agreed. I kinda liked it.

[@roderickrose6663]

Thanks for the video. You have a great voice.

[@MichaelKen-qe1gu]

Thanks for answering my question. Great video.

[@dreambeliever3652]

Love seeing these little tests. Let’s us understand that we don’t have to go crazy making sure everything is perfect.

[@jovonbarnes9427]

Excellent video to begin with, but it’s made better because I can’t get enough of “Amen.” Tied with “Sing” as my favorite song of yours!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

😊 Thanks Jovon

[@HorologicRannygazoo]

And don't snap your fingers during vocals, lol! Awesome vid. Thanks!

[@gitarman666]

Yes good stuff, mic clipping and the proximity effect and printing hard compression, I have a powerful young lady blowing up a u87 at 3’ (yeah I know 3’!) I don’t own a condenser that I can use for her,, we wound up using a padded sm7b and a 421 through a cranborne pre and a LA 2A in various combos to tame her projection I don’t know if you tried cranborne Camden 500 but really great especially @ $350 for the hardware strip

[@purplediamondnightdreamer7499]

You have a good voice

[@pianolover5417]

I usually record my vocal at midnight but always I record that beautiful special sounds of my neighbours too! These microphones are really so sensitive! 😁

[@Hammersmith954]

The play room gave you that natural Midiverb sound. True you won't be able to take it out.... like you said. If it's in from the beginning you can't take it out.... might have to recognize a dry room.

[@michaeltablet8577]

I think my voice clips. Even when not recording. Thanks Joe! Great video!

[@itsamemario4]

Great video and your voice is amazing

[@sosikaful]

I recently got recommended your videos and I'm really impressed. Rare to find people explain this stuff so well. I'd say it's In The Mix, but if my cool uncle made the channel! I hope the comparison doesn't bother you, but I just wanted to say, you're amazing, and the examples are so good, it makes the point more obvious. Subscribed, keep it up man!

[@joeschlicht]

I knew all of these techniques for better vocals (and watched anyway), but what surprised me was how good (or not bad) the recording in the toy room sounded. I have a vocal session tonight, and I have been watching YT videos, mostly to see if having a reflexion filter is beneficial - I have less than ideal rooms for recording in my home. Mainly, in most examples I heard in my quick searches, the reflexion filter made the vocals sound worse and boxy. Hearing your toy room gives me confidence in knowing that maybe all I need to do is have the vocalist be close enough to the mic. Maybe testament to your $300 mic as as well. I have two cheapish studio condensers but I think the vocalist has an SM58. I may have him bring that tonight and record with both and see what is best for the room. Thanks for the video.

[@NeelModi_dotcom]

Even with a pop filter, excessive sibilance can be in issue, depending on the singer. I encountered this with a client once, had her sing off-axis to the mic and it helped a lot. Still used the pop filter. Great video!

[@famosguider205]

Hi Joe! I’ve been watching your videos for a while and this one completely nailed it. I was in the studio yesterday with a singer who was slightly far away from the mic and once he realized it sounded louder slightly better when he was closer to the mic he was thinking he may want to sing the whole song over! LOL. This video taught me what I should be doing it to make sure I get the most out of each take. Thank you so much

[@fernando_sales]

Great vídeo! Thanks for sharing.

[@nancybeckett890]

The vocal recorded in the live room sounded ambient and real.

[@charlesrocks]

Yep. I love it. Subbed. I use an SM7b and it's so forgiving.

[@kofimanning7026]

Thanks for this great practical video. I love the message of your song too!!

[@JoesGuitarCafe]

I like how informative you are, and how bullshitting you are not

[@jorgedavidlopez744]

Just heard the song, is a pleasure to heard you singing in the sound track, you have very warmth voice. Great tips for recording voice. Thank you so much. You are the man. ;)

[@fredoscott2346]

I know your channel is [mostly] about sound and mixing, but if noone has mentioned it, I would like to tell you that you have a really good singing voice that is comfortable to listen to :)

[@soundsfromYYBY]

I agree..but i can get the perfect vocals with the rectangle during compressor..i do it to control frequencies coming through S1...sound so good

[@Pensacola2]

amazing voice

[@WhaleBluePRS]

I've been at this for over "XX"{ (lol) years and hit on a new one with my latest batch of songs. I had the mic lower than I normally have it, with it angled up towards me. Nothing extreme, just slightly off-axis. I got really clean vocals and no plosives as the air "rode" over the mic instead of right into it. Distance was in the 8" or less range or so with a pop filter and it seemed to give me a little more freedom to move. It had the added psychological bonus of being a little less visually conspicuous so it helped me relax as I tend to tense up because I wish I had someone else to be a singer for me. Not having the mic literally "in my face" was quite liberating and I'm pleased with the results.

[@arad4965]

But change is comin..... love this video ♥️

[@lance134679]

Great tips. I think I've made every one of those mistakes. I still sometimes use too much compression on the way in, but I really like the sound of the compressor in my preamp, and sometimes it still works in the song. Thanks.

[@PeterDeLegge]

Thanks for the video. Also, it's a little depressing to find that your attempt to do your worst vocal still sounds better than my best vocal take!

[@pcmteddj4281]

first time to watch your tutirial video for vocal...i get a lot of good input 😀💪👍

[@guitarizt68]

Really dig and appreciate your vids, brother.

[@Tobi-hu9mf]

I appreciate the honesty about the "bad" track!

[@enas-akoma-official]

i'm sure that will help me a lot! i use my sweatshirt for sound insulation in my room and it helps a lot!

[@marrackimamaable]

Love The Christian Vibes in the Lyrics!!!

[@Ukulilly]

Oh wow I had no idea this was uploaded a few minutes ago, this is so helpful!! Just getting started with my music stuff, and I'm trying my best with the small amount of equipment I got :) and these videos are great for that

[@radiostationoffice]

Great channel with lots of very helpful advice. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonathankriggs]

What a great video, Joe. Thank you. I'm learning!

[@charliekey2979]

Well, the room sound is very noticeable because I got the same issue and I can hear it right away! There is a lot of resonant frequencies, so you were correct about that. I'm in the way of treating my room hopefully soon I record a vocal that sits right up front on the mix.

[@mgmthegrand]

The vocal recorded in the room literally sounds like a slap delay. Greg Scott from House of Kush actually has a video on how to use room reverb to your advantage.

[@prodigalus]

oh. my. GOSH this video is so good. THANK YOUUU.

[@jsw5387]

I like your guitar tones in your track "Amen" 👍👍👍

[@stitchmywoundz17]

Thank you, i love your vocals and advice just subbed. that song sounds like its fire ill deff listen!

[@icq4t42]

Excellent piece of information, many of the studios I used always add the.vocal at the end of the session with less than an hour left and not much more than a ‘one two, one two’ for levels, and I’m expected to make 3 good vocal recordings in 20 minutes a song with a man who has no idea how to record vocals and anyway, vocalists are not real musicians. I’ve had better results with my old Korg Porta studio with an SM58 in my homemade booth and I haven’t a clue what I’m doing, but still the vocal is far superior than I get in a “professional studio”. Subscribed and heading for the site. Thanks again for the valuable tips.

[@metalchick315]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping educate beginners like me! Much appreciated!🙏💖