RECORDING May 2024 - 19

The challenges of punching, comping and plugin latency
have created more situations that require timing editing. At
his North Hollywood studio, Shaan Singh (Ye, Machine Gun
Kelly and Childish Gambino) explained his process, " In the
tracking phase, I'm nudging vocals as we go, because each
take's timing is informed by the previous take. By doing so,
we can stay in flow, keep the vocalist comfortable and get the
best performance. "
Manual time correction also plays a big part in vocal layering.
Both Torres and Teezio prefer this method to create tight
and powerful stacks that retain a natural feel.
Artifacts
Engineers spend a lot of time removing extraneous, distracting
noises from vocal takes, whether pops from bad
edits, environmental noise or plosives from poor mic technique.
Simple pops and clicks can often be fixed by refining an edit
or using your DAW's Pencil Tool at the sample-edit level. Sliger
is a fan of iZotope RX, which provides more powerful results.
For natural and seamless vocal takes, it's always best to
address tuning, timing and artifacts before further processing
down the line.
EQ, Dynamics & Saturation
Regarding EQ, dynamics or saturation, knowing your
tools and selecting the right ones is essential. In general,
these types of plugins can be categorized as:
1. Cleaner, surgical types for precise adjustments
2. Vintage-inspired types that add color
3. Hybrids that blend both approaches
For modern vocal EQ, the best strategy is to use surgical
tools to eliminate flaws and vintage tools to enhance
warmth and presence.
Teezio prefers " equal/opposite reaction " moves. " Instead
of boosting the high end to make something brighter,
I'll figure out what low frequencies I can cut to get a warmer
sound, or I'll find high-end frequencies to cut instead of
boosting lows, " said Teezio. Then, he typically only boosts
at or above 10 kHz because according to Teezio, " that is
the area where human ear hears diction. "
Torres names the McDSP P606 as her favorite EQ for
that type of 'musical' high-end boost.
Compression
Effective compression is key, and often, splitting the gain reduction
duties between multiple compressors instead of one is
the preferred way to get the desired control without compromising
the natural tone of the vocal.
Given today's preference for capturing clean, open vocal recordings
with ample headroom, saturation and distortion are usually
introduced in post-production. This step can impart the warmth of
tubes or tape, particularly necessary when " home " recordings lack
the characteristic circuitry of big professional studios.
Tools like iZotope Trash or Avid Lo-Fi can introduce a 'dirt'
or 'grit' that enhances the sound without overshadowing its
original quality.
All the above are a balancing act of 'surgical' and 'character.'
It is important to always reference the unprocessed voice
to hear if you are indeed " improving " it.
Stereo Image & Effects
Time-based effects and stereo imaging can be the most fun
parts of vocal engineering. That said, practicing self-control is
vital. It's critical to determine early on what the record needs.
Singh stresses, " I try to use the recording phase as my chance
to be [the most] creative with effects, because that's when the
artist is in the creative zone too. Adding effects might not work
after the fact because the artist will have gotten used to the
song as is. "
In modern production, combining reverb plugins and styles
can create a unique ambiance around a vocal. Sliger explains
one of his innovative approaches, " Recently, I've been using
delays as reverbs and using reverbs as delays, manipulating
pre-delay settings to craft unique spaces. "
Exploring newer plugins can also help achieve a current
sound. Teezio says, " Newer plugins like Native Instruments
RAUM are great for giant modern spaces that don't sound like
reverbs of the past. "
Another great trick is to bring effects in and out of the song
through automation and 'effect throw' tracks. Effect throw
tracks are made by copying an audio clip to a track with a
100% wet signal. This technique provides a different kind of
control than typical automation lines.
Automating effects sends remains popular, too, and there is
no consensus on audio track throws versus automation-Singh
and Sliger prefer the 'throw' tracks, while Torres and Teezio
prefer automation.
Double Up
Doublers and widener plugins play a huge part in modern
vocal width. Often, these plugins are used subtly but can be
exaggerated for effect. When it comes to widening lead vocals,
Sliger prefers an alternative technique. " I know a lot of
people like using a doubler plugin, but I prefer to use a slaplike
Lexicon reverb and blend it in subtly, " he explains. Teezio
mentions he likes using an 'underwater slapback 8th delay' to
widen his lead vocals.
Common Mistakes
Now that we have discussed editing and mixing, let's return
to the beginning, as often the biggest victim of a poor recording
session is the engineer who has to work on it down the
line. Getting things right from the beginning makes everything
easier for everyone.
Recording
You might not have the best recording equipment, but you
can always do your best recording with the gear you have!
Proper gain staging, levels and minimal compression ensure
clear and dynamic vocals, making subsequent editing tasks
easier.
Sliger points out, " Modern converters give us so much headroom;
you should be able to get loud without clipping. It's important
to have a good gain structure inside your DAW and
create room for the vocal to exist. "
RECORDING May 2024 19

RECORDING May 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of RECORDING May 2024

Fade In
Fast Forward
LEWITT RAY
Vanguard Audio Labs V24
Crafting Modern Vocals
SPL Channel One Mk3 and Track One Mk3
RECORDING’s Field Notes: Recording Vocals
Ohma World Ribbon Microphone
API TCS-II Channel Strip
Studio 101: Delay-Based Effects, Part 1
TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik Alchemy Series TF17 FET
Soundware Showcase: Toontrack Session Organ EKX
Flock Audio PATCH VT + PATCH APP DX V1.1.0 + DX BRIDGE
Plugin Outlet: oeksound Bloom
Earthworks DM6
Soundware Showcase: Baby Audio Atoms
RØDE NT1 Signature Series Condenser Mic
Korg Keystage
Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby
Readers’ Tracks
Monheim Crème Tube Condenser Microphone
Fade Out
RECORDING May 2024 - Intro
RECORDING May 2024 - Cover1
RECORDING May 2024 - Cover2
RECORDING May 2024 - 1
RECORDING May 2024 - 2
RECORDING May 2024 - 3
RECORDING May 2024 - Fade In
RECORDING May 2024 - 5
RECORDING May 2024 - 6
RECORDING May 2024 - 7
RECORDING May 2024 - Fast Forward
RECORDING May 2024 - 9
RECORDING May 2024 - LEWITT RAY
RECORDING May 2024 - 11
RECORDING May 2024 - 12
RECORDING May 2024 - 13
RECORDING May 2024 - Vanguard Audio Labs V24
RECORDING May 2024 - 15
RECORDING May 2024 - 16
RECORDING May 2024 - 17
RECORDING May 2024 - Crafting Modern Vocals
RECORDING May 2024 - 19
RECORDING May 2024 - 20
RECORDING May 2024 - 21
RECORDING May 2024 - SPL Channel One Mk3 and Track One Mk3
RECORDING May 2024 - 23
RECORDING May 2024 - 24
RECORDING May 2024 - 25
RECORDING May 2024 - RECORDING’s Field Notes: Recording Vocals
RECORDING May 2024 - 27
RECORDING May 2024 - 28
RECORDING May 2024 - 29
RECORDING May 2024 - Ohma World Ribbon Microphone
RECORDING May 2024 - 31
RECORDING May 2024 - 32
RECORDING May 2024 - 33
RECORDING May 2024 - API TCS-II Channel Strip
RECORDING May 2024 - 35
RECORDING May 2024 - Studio 101: Delay-Based Effects, Part 1
RECORDING May 2024 - 37
RECORDING May 2024 - 38
RECORDING May 2024 - 39
RECORDING May 2024 - TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik Alchemy Series TF17 FET
RECORDING May 2024 - 41
RECORDING May 2024 - Soundware Showcase: Toontrack Session Organ EKX
RECORDING May 2024 - 43
RECORDING May 2024 - Flock Audio PATCH VT + PATCH APP DX V1.1.0 + DX BRIDGE
RECORDING May 2024 - 45
RECORDING May 2024 - Plugin Outlet: oeksound Bloom
RECORDING May 2024 - 47
RECORDING May 2024 - Earthworks DM6
RECORDING May 2024 - 49
RECORDING May 2024 - Soundware Showcase: Baby Audio Atoms
RECORDING May 2024 - 51
RECORDING May 2024 - RØDE NT1 Signature Series Condenser Mic
RECORDING May 2024 - 53
RECORDING May 2024 - Korg Keystage
RECORDING May 2024 - 55
RECORDING May 2024 - Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby
RECORDING May 2024 - 57
RECORDING May 2024 - 58
RECORDING May 2024 - 59
RECORDING May 2024 - 60
RECORDING May 2024 - 61
RECORDING May 2024 - 62
RECORDING May 2024 - 63
RECORDING May 2024 - 64
RECORDING May 2024 - 65
RECORDING May 2024 - Readers’ Tracks
RECORDING May 2024 - 67
RECORDING May 2024 - Monheim Crème Tube Condenser Microphone
RECORDING May 2024 - 69
RECORDING May 2024 - 70
RECORDING May 2024 - 71
RECORDING May 2024 - Fade Out
RECORDING May 2024 - Cover3
RECORDING May 2024 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202503
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202502
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202501
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202412
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202411
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202410
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202409
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202408
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202407
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202406
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202405
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording-november-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_20205
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_200912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_200911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/nxtd
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com