Because the proprietor and sole worker of an on-location recording firm, I’m typically requested to file somebody taking part in acoustic guitar and singing. The query arises, ought to I file the guitar first after which overdub the vocal, studio type, or ought to I file each directly, live performance type? Each are legitimate approaches, and which to make use of in a given scenario relies on (a) efficiency components, and (b) recording components. Let us take a look at the efficiency components first.
Some artists strongly choose taking part in and singing on the similar time, eager to seize an precise efficiency of the track. They could be unfamiliar with studio overdubbing strategies, or they could be accustomed to taking part in the track “dwell” and really feel most comfy simply “banging it out.” Others are delighted to be taught that they will file the guitar half first with out having to fret in regards to the vocal, then file the vocal with out having to fret in regards to the guitar. Or they could like the concept of sitting whereas taking part in the guitar, then standing up for the vocal half.
If the artist has a choice for one or the opposite method, my suggestion is to do it the way in which that they’re most comfy with. You may get a great recording of the track both method, however the artist must be comfy to “get within the zone” and ship a great efficiency. Now, if they provide to depart it as much as you which to make use of, I might recommend the studio-style overdubbing method due to the extra flexibility it presents, each at recording and mixing time.
Let It Bleed
This brings us to the recording components concerned within the “Collectively Or Separate” choice. Really, there may be actually just one recording issue concerned: leakage. Bleed. Spill. No matter you wish to name it, if the artist performs and sings on the similar time, the guitar mike will decide up a few of the vocal, and the vocal mike will decide up a few of the guitar. Whenever you go to combine the track, you’ll find that you do not have complete management of both ingredient. The amount ranges and pan positions work together. If you happen to add a some reverb to the vocal, you add somewhat to the guitar as effectively, and vice versa. Identical with EQ. And so forth.
Fortunately, none of this must be deadly, so do not panic if the artist is an “unexpectedly” man. First off, there are some steps you may take earlier than making the recording. The primary challenge right here is microphone choice and placement. Clearly, it would be best to use directional (cardioid) if not super-directional (hyper-cardioid) mikes with the intention to reap the benefits of their sound-cancelling capabilities. Though condenser mikes may give acoustic guitars a pleasant, crystalline sound, you would possibly wish to use a dynamic sort right here due to its decrease sensitivity. Condensers hear every thing!
If the guitar has an electrical pickup, think about using the sign from that as an alternative of miking it in any respect. However beware – the pickup sign can sound fairly totally different (and never at all times higher) than the common miked acoustic guitar sound. Some guitars have EQ or different controls you may tweak. If you may get away with this, you have solved half your downside! However for now let’s assume you have determined to make use of a microphone on the guitar.
To the extent attainable, level the vocal mike away from the guitar and the guitar mike away from the singer. The “null” towards the again of every mike, the place pickup is minimal, shall be at a slight angle from straight again – verify your microphone documentation for the precise angle (or have a guess, like I do). Additionally, ensure each mikes are as shut as attainable to their respective sound sources, in order that there shall be extra of the precise sound and fewer of the flawed one in every. And remember a windscreen for the vocal mike 보컬 믹싱!
With these precautions, you need to find yourself with an inexpensive set of tracks to work with when the time comes to combine the track.
Studio Model
If the artist agrees to utilizing the overdub technique, you may simply use your traditional studio course of. Begin with a click on observe if the artist needs one – some do, some do not. (In fact you need to use a click on with the all-at-once method too, by having the artist put on headphones and placing the press in them for reference.) Right here is the place the pliability of this method turns into evident. Beginning with the guitar, you may file a number of takes, do punch-ins, or make a composite observe, relying on how far you wish to take it. Identical with the vocal!
Naturally, with the guitar and vocal cleanly recorded on their very own tracks, with no leakage, you may have a a lot better scenario for mixing as effectively. The hazard, although, is that the 2 components could not “mix” the way in which they do when they’re recorded collectively, bleed and all. We generally hear {that a} explicit vocal does not “sit” correctly in a combination. That is partly a consequence of getting recorded them individually within the first place. Further care is required to make it sound as if the 2 components occurred on the similar time.
On this dialogue, I’ve assumed the guitar is being recorded with a single mike. In reality, I choose utilizing two mikes in an X-Y configuration on the guitar so I can pan them part-way left and proper within the combine to get them out of the way in which of the centered vocal and supply a pleasant stereo guitar sound. As at all times, the overriding consideration is to provide a clean, natural-sounding recording that does not name consideration to itself in any method. If your gear, it’s attainable to attain this outcome no matter whether or not an acoustic guitar and vocal are recorded collectively or individually.