RECORDING May 2024 - 28

RECORDING
Field Notes
Some tips for organizing the process:
* Have multiple copies of the lyrics printed off for taking
notes or just for doodling in the margins.
* Make each take a different color. For years, I have
used the same four colors for the takes when using this
method: red, yellow, green and blue. When you are
comping with the vocalist and/or other people at the
same time, it keeps things organized, and even someone
sitting at the back of the room can identify and
shout out, " The red one! "
* When two strong candidates make it hard to choose,
leave that line blank in the comp track and move on.
When you get to the end of the track, come back and
listen to the options again to see which feels stronger.
If all else fails, choose one and leave yourself a note
to check back later. Note: You probably won't need to
check back later.
* After assembling the comp, take a five-minute break
before listening back as a sonic palette cleanser.
Pros: Once the singer is not in front of the mic with headphones
on, they can be a more objective judge of the material
since they are distanced from the performing mindset.
Cons: Comping can take longer in cases where the singer
can nail a great take in one or two attempts-It can be hard to
pick which great take is the " best " take.
Punch as You Go
In this method, after a few warm-up passes/takes, you start
at the top of the song and try to get as far as possible. When
you feel you have a good first line or more (it can be tricky to
get that first line), punch in at the spot the take broke down and
keep rolling. Then repeat, trying to get as far as possible each
time you punch in.
When you get to the end of the song, you can revisit earlier
lines to try and beat them. If not, just hit the old undo button
and move on-you got the take.
Pros: No comping, great for folks who know their voice and
what they are looking for, and it can be the quickest method if
the singer is prepared.
Cons: If the singer isn't sure (and capable), you can chase
your tail and take lots of extra time.
When Punching In
I like to use the pre-roll function on my DAW when punching
so that the punch is at the same exact point every time. Plus,
the singer hears the same run-up every time, which can be reassuring.
Doing it by hand is fine, too, but you are more likely
to end up with some messy edits to clean up later.
When setting the pre-roll time, be sure there is enough leadin
for the singer to find their place and start singing along.
You want a clean transition at the punch in. When folks don't
28 RECORDING May 2024
sing along, you can end up with all kinds of continuity issues
because they may be breathing at a different point or have too
much energy because they didn't sing the previous line.
All Verses, then All Choruses
This method involves recording all the verses and then all
the choruses, usually in that order. Interestingly, the other techniques
can be applied to these shorter sections as they would
to an entire song, which opens up many possibilities.
This method can be helpful when one or both of the song sections
are difficult or are very different from each other. A typical
situation would be a very soft verse juxtaposed by a loud/aggressive
chorus. You typically do the verses first to ensure you
don't blow out your voice doing the choruses first.
Pros: It can prevent blowing out your voice before you get all
the sections recorded.
Cons: The sections can feel disjointed if you're not careful
with the transitions.
The Dark Horse Contender: One
Take to Rule Them All
This is not the best approach for everyone, or hardly anyone! You
may be more likely to use this approach with specific genres like
folk, classical or jazz. There is a certain authenticity from a " one
take " performance, and for some performers it just comes naturally.
Some artists can be so well prepared, often from months on the
road playing and fine-tuning the material, that it has become second
nature to nail each song in a single performance. They may
not be able to record as well with any of the other approaches.
In the studio, this may still mean a few takes to find " the one, "
but I've done entire projects where the vocal and acoustic guitar
were not only recorded together but also as one complete
take, top to bottom, for every song. I also admit I can count on
one hand the number of times this has happened to me!
Pros: If you can do it, why not do it?
Cons: Not everyone can do it.
Sing Multiple Long Takes, Choose
One 'Keeper' and Punch In as Needed
It's a long title but a pretty simple concept. It's technically
a combination of " One Take... " and " Punch as You Go. "
Sing takes until you're overall happy with one complete
take. Then, listen through and note which lines to try to
beat by punching in. Undo is your friend.
Pros: This can work better for regular performers.
Cons: It
is not recommended for less experienced or
weaker singers (endurance-wise).
The Hybrid/Flexible Model
Start with one intended workflow but pick a different approach
if you realize it's not working or not needed. For example,

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
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