Hear the Difference a Good Vocal Microphone Makes.

What makes the difference between a groundbreaking song and just another flash in the pan top 10 hit? What is the key to capturing a performance during a recording session or missing the juice? There’s a part of every important song that has defines the milestones in modern music history - it’s the vocal performance. Sometimes and amazing piano piece, or guitar par speaks to us, but almost always, it’s a vocal.

If youre like most of us who are into home recording and or studio recording, youve learned the hard way that you cannot compromise on quality when youre capturing a performance. That being said, not everyone can afford a $10,000 vintage Neumann tube condenser microphone, and your choice of microphone also has to do with your budget and what kind of goals you have.

The truth about recording anything, including vocals, is that there is only so much you can do to repair a poorly recorded track after the fact. No matter what your budget, or your purpose or goals, you need to start with the best equipment you can afford. Too often in the home recording studios, the artist delivers an exceptional performance but is betrayed by inadequate equipment, resulting in a lackluster recording that cannot capture the original tone or energy.

It is for this exact reason that conventional wisdom is right on target ” start with the best vocal microphone you can afford. Research your options and decide how you are going to spend your budget. Theres no sense in spending money on a great tube preamp if you are recording your vocals with a Shure SM58. Believe me, you will end up hating everything you record until you get yourself a quality vocal microphone, and in the end, you wont want to listen to your recordings, or allow anyone else to hear them.

Start with the right equipment ” get yourself a quality vocal microphone, you will be glad you did. These days, there are tons of manufacturers like AKG, Audio Technica, Shure, Sennheiser, and others who make decent microphones in the $200-$400 range. A large diaphragm cardiod condenser microphone will give your vocals shape and clarity, allowing your vocal tracks to cut through the rest of the mix.

By now I think we have developed a theme, so let me just drive it home one more time - “start with a good quality vocal mic…” Don’t relegate yourself to hours of EQ-ing and effect layering to try and fix your buddy’s vocal track. Start with the best mic you can afford, and make that vocal cut through the mix, and start collecting your accolades. You don’t even have to thank me.