Many articles on this topic focus on the technical part of recording audio. But there are many other best practices for getting the most out of your studio time. This article contains some ideas that we have collected while working with clients from all types of media including Singers/Vocalists, Audiobook & TV Narrators, Automated Dialogue Recording, Podcasts, and other types of vocal work. Especially when there is no ability to “cover up” minor distractions with music (such as when recording audiobooks) it is important that your voice sounds clear and distraction-free. We often use large capsule condenser microphones which sound fantastic, but do pick up almost every sound in the room, even those you may not want on your track. These practical tips will help you get the most from your recording session.
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
- In the days or hours leading up to the session, try to avoid throat irritants such as smoking, vaping, BBQ/campfire smoke, yelling or shouting (unless the concert you attend is really good,) allergens such as ragweed or pets (if allergic,) and anything else that may cause your voice to underperform. Try to avoid being around people who have a cold or flu so you can stay healthy too. A stuffy nose can be heard in your recordings and often results in a rescheduled session.
- Wear the proper clothing to the session. Avoid slinky, noisy, or rough material such as corduroy that will cause excess noise when you move. Soft materials such as cotton are best. If you move your arms a lot when you talk or sing, we recommend short-sleeved shirts. Our isolation booth is carpeted, so any footwear is acceptable but rubber soled shoes will be the most comfortable if you prefer to stand while recording. In the summertime, having some light material clothing will help you stay cool when your session starts to warm up. If you tend to get cold often, bring a soft light jacket to put on. Hooded sweatshirts, cotton zip up jackets, polar fleece, and similar types of material are best for cooler weather.
- Bring your favorite warm or cold drink to help your voice stay smooth. See below for some great recommendations on what to bring, and what to avoid.
- Speaking of warming up, on the way to your session, you may choose to “warm up” your voice; sing along to the radio, run through the notes (such as with the Solfege do-re-mi scale) or perform other vocal exercises such as “lip trills” (making the sound of a space car from the old Jetsons cartoons) or “siren” exercises (starting on a low note and increasing the pitch to a high note, then back down.) These warmups will help you be ready to go when you step into the vocal booth.
- Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse. If you have scripted content, it’s always a great idea to go over the material before the session. This will help you breeze through the text with fewer errors and make the editing process so much easier. Musicians and vocalists, the same goes for you. Most musicians spend at least a month practicing their sets so that their studio time is used effectively. The best time to rewrite your lyrics is before you arrive.
DURING YOUR SESSION
- Before you begin, make sure you have your beverage of choice ready to go (in a quiet container whenever possible) and maybe an extra water in case you run out. Ice cubes in a metal drink container can shift as they melt and make noise for example.
- For best results, try a mild tea such as ginger, lemon, or chamomile. Add raw honey to your tea for extra credit. Lemon water, or even just plain water are always a great choice. We always keep a few extra water bottles in the fridge in case you forget to bring a drink. Sugary drinks make your mouth sticky and can cause excess mouth noise in the mic. This includes sugar free drinks in some cases, depending on the sweetener used. Caffeine can dehydrate you, carbonated drinks and sweet coffees can also make your mouth sticky. If you must drink coffee, we recommend finishing it well before your session and then switching to water or tea after that. Although some say it may give you “liquid courage,” alcohol is not great for your voice either.
- Many of our clients have brought savory snacks such as plain potato chips for when they get hungry, the oils they are baked with may help keep your throat from getting dry. Almonds are a great snack that will go down easy and taste great, even when unsalted. But for a more substantial meal, you might choose melon fruits, oranges, cucumbers, celery, leafy green vegetables, beans, and meats such as lightly seasoned chicken or fish. These are unlikely to irritate your voice or cause indigestion when eaten in moderation. Eating too much can cause you to feel full or tired which may not be ideal either. Consuming your meal an hour or two before a session will give it time to settle.
- Foods to avoid include anything spicy, heavy foods such as processed meats, fried foods, dairy based food or drinks, chocolate, salty/processed pre-packaged foods, tomato-based foods, or anything that can cause indigestion which can interrupt a session.
AFTER YOUR SESSION
- Allow your voice to rest. Especially if you have another session the next day. Allowing yourself a break will keep your voice sounding great.
- Be sure you grab everything you came in with when you leave! Cell phones, wallets, purses, laptops, jackets, and even the rest of your drink are occasionally left behind after sessions.
- Schedule the next one! Get your follow up session booked so that you can continue to produce amazing content for your audience or capture any “pick-ups” needed from today’s studio time.
We hope these vocal tips help you have a great session when you step into the audio booth!
Contact us here to schedule time for your next audio recording project:
