Recording February 2022 - 4

publisher: Thomas Hawley
associate publisher: Brent Heintz
EDITORIAL
i
FadeIn
Welcome to the February 2022 issue of RECORDING Magazine, our
annual vocal issue! It doesn't matter if you croon, belt or spray-being a
singer is equal parts skill, inborn talent, and flat-out courage. It's essential
to have the proper tools necessary to capture the real you, which got me
thinking: what makes a vocal mic good? Is it all about the proximity effect?
Photorealistic clarity? A well placed mid-scoop? Is it a mic where the singer
needs to eat the capsule, or sit back at a comfortable distance? Is it better to
choose a mic that is specifically designed and designated as a vocal mic?
What about back when a mic was just a mic and most studios rolled out the
same one for every singer that walked through the door?
Wait...you think I have the answers? On some sessions, before the
vocalist arrives I have one or two choices planned in my head based on
past experiences. Sometimes I take the old school approach and just lean
on my best all-around work horse and let it fly. Other times I'm stumped,
so I'll set up multiple choices and take the time to find the best match
(modeling mics are a real time saver here).
This month we have seven unique mics on review that love the sound of
the human voice-yes, even yours! We also go classic and comprehensive,
with a look at six mics in the Neumann TLM family.
Of course, some tracks are not built on vocals alone. We have reviews of
a unique Baroque sample library, and also a cool/quirky synth equipped
with a vocoder (so that counts for voice, right?).
Our interview this month is with Dream Theater guitarist/producer John
Petrucci and engineer James 'Jimmy T' Meslin, who discuss the creation
of the band's latest album, A View from the Top of the World, recorded
at Dream Theater Headquarters. Here you'll find out about James LaBrie's
favorite vocal mic and signal path.
In this month's Session Log, Marc Urselli takes us through making the
vocal and piano duet album Pallet on Your Floor by Becca Stevens and Elan
Mehler, and in Inside the Box, Joe Albano shares some of his favorite plugins
and techniques for getting vocals to shine. Mark Hornsby is back with his
recording advice, Marty Peters has a new batch of Readers' Tracks, and in
our Fade Out column, star producer and engineer Ryan West gives us his
advice for vocalists in the studio.
Enjoy the issue, my friends!
editor: Paul Vnuk Jr.
músico pro editor: Rodrigo O. Sánchez
CONTRIBUTORS
associate editor: Alex Hawley
copy editor: Mike Scheibinger
Joe Albano, David Blascoe
John Czerwinski, Mark Hornsby, Marty Peters,
Bill Stunt, Ryan West, Marc Urselli
SOCIAL MEDIA
Brent Heintz, Paul Vnuk Jr.
ART & PRODUCTION
production manager: Colin Courtney
art director: Colin Courtney
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Paul Vnuk Jr., Alex Hawley
Cameron Heintz, Lauren Hawley
CIRCULATION
circulation manager: Tiffany Sepe
ADVERTISING SALES AND MARKETING
director: Brent Heintz
classifieds manager: Colin Courtney
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accounts receivable: Thomas Hawley
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president: Thomas Hawley
vice president: Brent Heintz
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4 RECORDING February 2022
Recording February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording February 2022
