Vocal recording

The vocal recording is one of the most important events in the music production . The quality of the vocal recording is decisive for whether the overall mix at the end of a production appears clean and clear to the listener.

The human voice

The voice of a human comprises frequencies from about 80 Hz to 16 kHz. In this area there are frequency segments that play a role for speech intelligibility (presence of vowels and consonants ), as well as brilliance and warmth.

Research shows that the following key areas can be determined in the frequency response :

Frequency range: 80 Hz to 16 kHz
Fundamental expression : 125 Hz (man), 250 Hz (woman)
Abundance and warmth: about 100 Hz to 250 Hz
Vowel presence: about 350 Hz to 2 kHz
Consonant presence: about 1.5 kHz to 5 kHz
Brilliance : approx. 5 kHz to 8 kHz

The frequency information given are approximate basic values, since the basic structure of the human vocal apparatus is the same, but has individually developed components; see also Human Voice .

History, analog technology

In the past, singing was recorded in analog format and then played back, mainly on magnetic media . Even today, analogue recording is preferred to digital technology in good recording studios , but these uses are becoming less common because digitally, better processing of vocal recordings is possible.

Technical requirements (digital technology)

The basic equipment for a sensible vocal recording includes a powerful computer with a sequencer program and a powerful sound card . The analog-to-digital converters in the card are important for recording because they convert the signal as naturally as possible and transmit the digital information generated in this way to the hard disk. At least one audio interface (professional sound card) with the option of recording in 44.1 kHz and 24 bit should be used for recording. In order to transmit the audio signal from the microphone to the interface, a cable should be used that has XLR connectors on both ends. A symmetrical signal routing offers the great advantage that the two-wire signal routing on the one hand results in a level gain (see symmetrical signal transmission) of 6 dB and, on the other hand, interference from e.g. B. high-frequency signals (radio, radio signals) are extinguished.

In order to be able to make a good vocal recording, a neutral microphone is just as important as the audio interface. Each “producer” has individual ideas about how the vocal recording should ultimately sound. Since poor transmission properties of a microphone are often part of the sound design, the choice of microphone is not to be specified. Basically, however, it can be said that a condenser microphone should be preferred to the dynamic microphone for studio recordings ; see microphone, as condenser microphones allow a more realistic picture of the voice. It should be noted that condenser microphones need a microphone preamplifier due to the required supply voltage (48 V phantom power ) , which is integrated in almost every audio interface.

Notes for inclusion

For good audio recording, it is important that only the desired signal is recorded. Care should be taken to ensure that the playback the artist is singing to cannot be heard on the vocal recording. Therefore, the artist should wear closed headphones while recording to enable this and to be able to hear himself while singing. A windscreen (pop screen) is stretched in front of the microphone . On the one hand, this serves as protection for the audio signal and is also an effective spacer for the artist. In order to be able to pick up the voice with the microphone, a distance of about 20 cm from the microphone is necessary. If the pop protection is set to this distance, the artist can orient himself with the mouth on the pop protection without having to concentrate on the distance to the microphone.

literature

Jan-Friedrich Conrad: Recording. 5th edition, PPV Medien GmbH, Bergkirchen, 2003, ISBN 3-932275-18-7
Martin Hömberg: Home recording. PPV Medien GmbH, Bergkirchen, 2001, ISBN 3-932275-12-8