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MICROPHONE PLACEMENT ON VOCALS
BY ROBERT DENNIS
ADMINISTRATOR, RECORDING INSTITUTE OF DETROIT
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The sound wave from the vocalist projects over a wide angle. In addition to projecting out, the vocal both projects up and down (to the ceiling and floor) and to the sides of the singer. Thus you can put the microphone up, down and to the sides of the vocalist and still get a good sound. |
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When the singer sings "hard consonants" (like words beginning with B, C, T or D) there is a blast of air out of the singer that projects out and down. Putting the microphone in this blast of air can cause the microphone to "pop." |
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Vocal S sounds make a high-frequency (7 kHz) blast of sound that can distort analog tape and doesn't sound very good on a digital recording. Because of the alignment of a singer's teeth, most vocalists "S" louder on one side of the mouth than on the other. Have the singer say "Sally Sucks Soup" as you walk around the singer and find the spot where there is the least projection of the S sounds. This is a great ice-breaker with the singer and gives you valuable information as to where to place the microphone. |
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Place the body of the microphone up above the blast of air from the consonants and off to the side where the signer has the lowest volume "S" sounds. Point the front of the mic at the lips of the singer. Use a distance of 6 to 8 inches. The singer should sing "straight ahead" and not "into" the microphone. |
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Some singers will still try to look into and sing into the microphone, undoing all of your fine placement. In this case give the singer a microphone to sing into. Have them get two inches away from the microphone and sing directly into the mic. This is a "placebo" microphone that wouldn't even be brought up at the console, but it will keep the singer at the right angle and distance from the actual mic you are using. |
And Good Vocal Recording!!!!!!
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