How to Record Vocals - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro

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How to record vocals on a budget with Warren Huart. Featuring tips on making the artist feel comfortable, gain staging, and microphone distance.
Produce Like A Pro is a website which features great tips to help the beginning recordist make incredible sounding home recordings on a budget.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Everyone! I made this video nearly 7 years ago now! One of my first ever videos! Since then many amazing mics have come out for less than $300! We live in an amazing time where music making is becoming more and more affordable!

[@conordo4657]

Thanks for all you do!!! I can't tell you how helpful you, you're channel, and PLAP academy have been for me!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@conordo4657 thanks ever so much!

[@mystikrebel1089]

8 years later im taking the advice from this very good tutorial

[@davidpechene5833]

9 years later here

[@Holly1960-]

I recorded vocals in a studio, and he had colored lights in the vocal booth. He turned off all lights in the other rooms...It made me feel comfortable because I felt the stage atmosphere, and couldn't see past the glass of the booth to be inhibited ...it was a great experience !!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jbandshahayeah1862]

This advice is GOLDEN. as a singer, the distraction element is key, I've found that I perform better if I sing while doing something else at the same time. If I try to focus and sing on pitch and try to make everything perfect, it usually comes out forced. Throw on some light auto tune, light a few candles, sip a bit of warm tea and you're ready to go.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!!

[@PherotoneStudios]

Even after 15 years in a studio and having studied it in college you'd think a video like this would be pointless for someone like me. It's far from that. It's important to see how other people demonstrate and explain methods for recording, and seeing someone that is a top end producer and engineer put a free video out that gives their take on it is invaluable

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Such high praise! I really appreciate it! Thank you ever so much my friend!!

[@GuitarJamzOfficial]

great video Warren!! good stuff my man

[@Producelikeapro]

Now that is high praise indeed coming from you martyzsongs! Thanks very much indeed. Keep on rocking and serving the guitar players of the world like you do so well Sir! Many thanks Warren

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Sean Donahue Starter Condensers that sound good are $300 they can go up to 15k plus. Personally I think the Lewitt LCT 550 is amazing and is around $600 I believe. I hope that helps! Happy New Year!! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@drill2.087]

After spending a lot of time as a vocalist the mic that sounded the very best on my voice, even more so than the really expensive Mics, was a $350 ish mic made by Shure, the tried and true sm7b, love it. I’ve also heard great things about the Slate mic modeling system and I’m going to check that out as well.

[@PaRtYi3r]

i can honestly say whenever i feel a lack of inspiration any one of you're videos compltelty changes that for me. Thank you Mr. Warren Huart

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Alberrrrt Thank you ever so much!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren!

[@georgruzzene6842]

Since the first seconds I understood this was a great tutorial. Thanks!

[@khuallek2144]

I'm always watching your video toturial !

[@MADMANMUSICINC]

Thank you Warren for the great tips! Will be using them here very soon! Never thought about the baffling being more important to be placed behind the vocalist but that makes perfect sense...like you said the mic is going to pick up whats coming from behind.

[@aqtaii]

Thanks

[@NeilBolandGuitaristWriter]

Just bought the NT1. Been attempting home recording for years, on and off, and had little success, due to bad luck with OS choices and hardware. Back on board now with the Rode and decent interface and Mac, subscribed to your videos, and I'm back into it! Glad to hear I didn't go too tight-arse on the mic. :p

[@KwyatMan]

This was PERFECT! Thank you. You've touched on many points others have not and I appreciate that.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thank you ever so much!!

[@petefaders]

good point about the baffle placement

[@Homestudiosimplifed]

2:05 "When the singers like... BLAH!" Loved that, bout busted out laughing in the break room!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Robert McClellan Haha thanks! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@Shawneverette]

Thanks for what you do for home studio recording engineers. Your interviews and information is so valuable.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Shawn!

[@TheJewellian]

thank god you exist!

[@ShirleneReeves]

Thanks Warren. Very helpful.

[@subjectifobjectif]

I've just found your goodself on youtube, great video...especially the tip at the end about the acoustic treatment behind the artist. I have them around my mic but have never put them behind myself...& it's actually much better now & gives me the control of the room ambience, so a big thanks for sharing, keep up the great work.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Scott Davis Haha yes it's interesting how we don't use logic on that one! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! Warren

[@TheGRider56]

Thank you, Warren. I find myself watching your instructional videos all the time. You do them "marvelously well". ;)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@happyhomelesshomesteaders158]

Thank you Warren great tips

[@Searching4Sanityband]

thank you so much for all these videos I cant wait to start using them

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Searching4Sanityband I really appreciate your comment! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@praiseandworshipbooth2071]

thank you

[@velvetimpulse]

Love your content. I always learn a lot!

[@jeremylynch5182]

You're a good guy. Thanks so much for putting all these videos out to help us improve! It helps a lot!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Jeremy Lynch Thanks very much!! I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@silviashusband497]

thank you mr. Pro. all the best!

[@jeromemathews1163]

thank u for a marvellous lesson....u are great man..

[@JedWunderli]

As I was watching this video I thought of my experiences of working with the vocalists that have sung my songs and I try to do exactly what you say. They need to feel relaxed and comfortable.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for watching Jed Wunderli yes agreed once they are relaxed you can get amazing results! Have a marvelous time recording! Thanks for watching! Many thanks Warren

[@KwyatMan]

HOT TEA! I'm so glad you said this as I was JUST thinking if using hot tea when I record is helpful for my vocals and you've just confirmed it. Thank you!

[@Producelikeapro]

Wonderful! Not too Hot, warm is best!

[@tonyrayjones1550]

I have been using the Miktek C7 great all around vocal mic also great on guitars for about 899.00

[@hang-sangitch]

Awesome. Thanks for the advice. Greatly appreciated 😊

[@benmaguire4098]

all good tips

[@tommysmith9238]

You are an amazing guy

[@swingset1969]

Great vid. To add to it, a good, cheap, easy solution for baffling a vocal "booth" that everyone has access to is a clothes closet. Hanging clothes create a natural deadening, and it's easy to just pull off some sweaters and jackets to surround the vocalist. I've done this for years in my home studio, it also keeps my wailing to a minimum if anyone else is around, lol. There are times where some bounce is a really cool tone tho (think Sun Records), for a rockabilly or vintage live-feel, a bathroom with tile and glass is just the the thing.

[@autocrow]

Great tips! Best video on recording vocals I've seen yet.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +autocrow YOU ROCK!!! Thanks very much for your kind words I really appreciate it! So happy to be able to help!! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@muhammadjonrahmatov8045]

Thank you!!

[@budgetguitaristcom]

Very good advice to baffle behind the artist. I started doing this and it made a big difference.

[@MusiKariostv]

Great video! Thanks especially for the Spanish subtitles ...

[@KeenanCrow]

Never considered setting the gobos behind the singer. But makes sense. Definitely trying that.

[@bakoky]

Thanks for your useful tips ! Can't wait to see other videos from you!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Jacob I really appreciate it! There's more coming very soon. Many thanks Warren

[@sun_catchers_music]

I like you putting efforts on trying to ease the singer first before jumping on technical details

[@Producelikeapro]

Absolutely! Thanks ever so much

[@parasiteunit]

The best drink is hot lemon, ginger and a splash of honey... Soothing, warming and helps reduce any straining as it's antibacterial and ginger has antiinflammatory properties... It's not everyone's favourite beverage, but it's a useful thing to use. Also, one of the best make shift booths I've used is a built in wardrobe. Hang a few heavy clothing items around strategically and yeah - pretty dry.

[@markwildt5728]

New to the channel, and can't get enough... Great tips as always.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Mark!!

[@ronunderwood7510]

i love your segments!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Ron Underwood Aw shucks you Rock!! Thanks very much for your great comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren.

[@dalecampbell9259]

Who are poor folks disliking this video? It's great! Thanks Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Dale!!

[@judicebastard3524]

Thanks for the info! great video!

[@twilightbiscuit]

love you videos man

[@sebastianmartiny2452]

Helpful and entertaining, thanks! Keep 'em coming!

[@bugherder]

Wow, Warren. You did such an excellent job expressing yourself creatively, utilizing that microphone to effectively get your points across, that I'm subscribing. I'm a determined, fourth-year songwriter unable to afford professional demos, so creating with Cubase 8 Pro with a MOX6 keyboard, acoustic guitar, and vocals for now. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your professional insight and caring. Larry Bryant-Lubbock, TX

[@brettconradie323]

Great video! Thank you Warren! :)

[@KHPR0]

thank you so much! I was wondering why my reflection shield for my mic wasn't quite doing the trick

[@taopagan]

Wow, great information and, for me, very timely! This entire series on recording and mixing vocals is wonderful. Watching you work w those familiar plug-ins (later in the series) is SO instructive.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much taopagan! Glad to be able to help!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@PastorJonathan1980]

Warren im a big fan thank you for your advice and professionalism i wish you the best!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +PastorJonathan1980 Aw shucks! Thanks very much for your kind words I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@johnlane1200]

Thank You Sir..

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +John Lane You're welcome! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@Carsonaut]

Thank you!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@bunnymmm4224]

Thnx!

[@tattoofred]

fantastic video thanks

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Fred Gómez You're welcome! Happy New Year! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@mentorlatifi6221]

You're great ,thnx !

[@bolivar1789]

This was very helpful. Thank you so much. You are a great teacher!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Lua!

[@kingdizzydotcom]

another majorly crucial thing in vocal recordings is technique & emotion. a good vocalist can save the mixing engineer many hours of work by impeccably controlling the dynamics of their performance. as a vocalist im even controlling my EQ as i sing. learning your mic and how it reacts to quiet and loud sounds helps one to mainuplate your voice in the best way for that mic. because i mix aswell im always looking to deliver a perfect vocal for listening and an easy one to mix ! im on both sides of the looking glass !

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +kingdizzyworld Thanks very much for your great comment I really appreciate it! Thanks for the fantastic tip! Yes if you have the time to work in your own environment and really hone you skills it's fantastic! Unfortunately a lot of singers rarely get to record so it's up to us to hep guide them properly! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@nillywelson]

This is so very helpful!! This is by far the best vid I've watched on the topic. Would love to hear your method on getting the right headphone mix for the vocalist. Thanks so much for your channel.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks very much nillywelson for sharing. Yes that's a great question indeed! The perfect headphone is really very important indeed! I will definitely address that in a future video. Have a marvelous time recording. Many thanks Warren

[@1245que]

Hey Warren did you ever make that video?

[@ValentineGoloubev]

Great! Thanks!

[@missamartinez484]

great video. Ive always wanted to produce music but ive been hesitant on getting a class or a teacher just for the fear of learning the wrong thing or something that isn't really me. i feel though you are a reliable source {subbed &liked}!.

[@muntupoetslegacy7760]

Great tips!

[@MusiKariostv]

Great Tutorial! Thanks Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Delta Music Thanks very much for your great comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@KatParsonsMusic]

Love this! Some great ideas for drawing a vocalist out and great therapy for vocalists! :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks KatParsonsMusic You Rock!

[@jasonmcculloch5781]

Great work Warren. Awesome tips.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Jason McCulloch I really appreciate that! Have a marvelous time recording! Many thanks Warren

[@saranafshin]

Tank you

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Afshin Saran Thanks very much I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@BrandonStonerAEP]

Great tips, as always!

[@lizamamatias]

Warrent, thank you so much for your tips, I'm learning a lot watching your videos. Regards from Chile!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Matías Vergara Lizama I really appreciate that! Thanks very much for watching. Have a marvelous time recording Warren.

[@FlashbackinJapan]

Awesome! Thanks! Luke warm water is best for vocals. Hot drinks relax the vocal chords too much, cold drinks constrict, caffeine dries them out, and sugar coats them and increases mucous production. Having said that, to each his own and ask the singer what works for them.

[@createsomethinggreat175]

sm58 best mic I've ever had. $80 brand new on sale @ Guitar Center. Sylvia Massey said her and Rick Rubin compared u47s and more Telefunkens and u87s , but the SM58 gave the best results with Billy from Smashing Pumpkin's doing takes. I took her advice and it blows away my friends nt1A. The mic is great.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Chris, yes indeed, the SM58 is an extremely versatile mic!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@maylightbewithyou]

Could you do a mic shootout with low budget to high budget mics? It would be so useful to hear!! Thanks so much for sharing such valuable tips!

[@Mdjagg]

I just got an SE Space filter for dampening behind the mic, works wonderfully. If you have a great open room for a singer and you are going for the wide open sound then you wouldn't want this, but for tight, dry, controlled vocals with little room to no room sound, its a must have. It's not cheap, but compared to real deal sound proofing for an awesome booth its dirt cheap. One guy at sweetwater recommended setting this up with the singers back to an open closet full of clothes, pretty much taking care of the dampening behind the singer like you are suggesting.

[@gregoryabat3948]

+Ma Ja I will second the SE Space endorsement. They work fabulously well. Of course, they are not a complete solution in and of themselves. Rear baffling is also very important.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Gregory Abat Yes I highly recommend baflling where the mic is pointing! Thanks very much I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@moralpaniken]

Great stuff. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi K Dog thank you ever so much! I really appreciate your very kind words! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@gurinderarora4697]

Could you please post a video on the workflow of recording the full vocals of a whole song?

[@2FingersInYourMouth]

Yeah! You are so right! Thanks for sharing your knowlege! Good luck with the channel, i'm super stoked to learn more tips & tricks from you :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks 2FingersInYourMouth I really appreciate it!

[@Greenleaf3791]

Brilliant video. I liked the part about having the singer stand in the corner and baffle the area behind them. I'll have to give it a go. i have also heard that if you are in a room where there is very little acoustic treatment then you may try to place the mic in the middle of that room so that it is away from the reflective surfaces and hence is less exposed to the reflections. But at the end of the day a great performance is the thing that counts most. Have a wonderful day Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Greenleaf3791 Thanks very much! Yes simple solutions to problems always work best for me! Agreed a great performance always wins!! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@terrythorsen2685]

Right on about baffling *behind* the singer! Quick mobile, low budget baffle: Extend a mic stand as high as possible. Set the extension horizontal so the mic stand forms a "T" about 6 feet tall (prop it up on a speaker if you need more height). Drape two thick moving blanks over the T and position 1-3 ft *behind* the singer. Usable results in almost any room. (Make sure mic is set to cardioid!)

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Terry Thorsen haha thanks for highlighting that! Great tip! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@sebastianherrera9214]

I`m really grateful for your videos, you helped a lot in my mixes, greetings from Colombia, thanks also for the C.C I know it help a lot the people from spanish countries.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Sebastian Herrera Soto You're welcome! I'm slowly getting through them!! Happy New Year! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@alankelly1542]

Fantastic videos wow

[@titusotieno]

Nice video am learning more

[@christianschroer1999]

I only bought me the Lewitt LTC 140 Air to record my piano but I also practicing singing a bit with it . For a beginner thats enough I think.

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@ErickT_MX]

Thanks Warren for this videos and the subs in spanish! ¡¡Muchas Gracias!! im making a list of the videos you did in spanish for all the people who only speaks spanish...keep up the good work

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Erick T. Great thank you! We are slowly getting through all of the videos in Spanish! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@garnetbey7400]

like always great stuff Warren...

[@fionagoodwin717]

The biggest improvement I got in my recordings was when I switched over to higher quality mic pres like Neve and Sebatron. Changing vocal mic didn't make that much difference.

[@SLAMSTERDAMN]

EXCELLENT POINTS on how to better use those (not cheap), mounted buffers!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +SLAMSTERDAMN Thanks very much I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@marksrec.cnannel8307]

i like your production

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@guitardude4700]

Thanks so much. Well done!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +guitardude4700 Thanks very much for your kind words I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@12dick]

damn thank you for sharing this video its awesome

[@yeonxxi7283]

I really like your 'How To' tutorials...and I hope you'd make some reviews between any recording software....I'm going to start some home recording but still kinda confused about which one is good and suitable with my...you know...low budget... lol anyway, keep it up sir, I'd like to learn more

[@rohanjoseph101]

Hi Warren, thank you for making these videos. You speak very unassumingly and your advice is remarkably effective! I love your channel and have learnt so much already!! Your room doesn't look like it has several acoustic panels, nor are there any baffles around you (atleast from what I can see in the video) - I'm not sure where in your room you are standing - so how does your vocal recording for this video have almost zero room tone/ambiance built in? It sounds perfect! This is something I'm struggling with right now. Could you please shed some light? Thank you very much!

[@Iamgavrilo]

Great!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@CordelUK]

Amazing video! Great channel Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Cordel UK! I really appreciate it!

[@VincenzotheGreat13]

Awesome video!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Vincent Chapman-Andrews I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren.

[@Drgreenthumb_]

Nice tip at the end-baffle behind the artist. I use the SE mic reflector and it helps however like you said the mic is pointing in the opposite direction. I found some old office cubical panels on Craigslist that I use and they were inexpensive and work great. As always. Thanks Warren. Thanks to guys like you and Dave I don't have to fork out $40k a year at full sail. I can just sip tea and go to class on KZbin 🎤🎼

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Gus P Music Haha thanks for noticing! I'm so glad to be able to help! Happy New Year! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@Lucretious2006]

Would be fab if you could share a video on the use of reverbs in a dense mix. You are going to be my go-to channel to learn great techniques explained by a pro.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +Lucretious2006 Thanks for the great question! Please check out all of my How To Arrange Videos and also my vocal mixing video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qarYlZWVd5arlaM Have a marvelous time recording! Warren

[@steenbreker60]

Btw, I like your style and you're coming to the point

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi +gerard steen Thanks very much! I really appreciate it! Happy New Year! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren

[@jimiambivalent]

Which one is best for home recording?dynamic or condenser??and thank you so much for all these lessons... :)