You might be an engineer or a producer. Or, you could be a rapper or vocalist. No matter who you are, you want to record your voice in a studio at home. A music recording microphone is out there for you to record at a professional level. In this article, we will cover the following topics to help you learn more about it.
- What is the best mic type for music recording, condenser or dynamic?
- How can you use it to record professional music?
- Some FAQs that you may encounter.
How to choose the best microphone for music recording: Two question to consider
Don't buy every recording microphone for music you can get your hands on while starting out. Most producers add more microphones to their recording equipment over time. This offers you ample time to learn more about microphones, their capabilities, and their drawbacks before making a second microphone purchase. More significantly, consider the following questions.
What kind of music would you like to record?
If you enjoy hip-hop music, all you really need for vocal recordings is a condenser microphone. If you plan on recording rock music, a dynamic microphone should be your first choice. You'll also need extra mics to start recording instruments like drums and guitar amps.
What would you mainly record?
If you're planning to record a lot of vocals, voice overs, and light instruments that require a full body sound, a condenser microphone is a good place to start. A dynamic microphone, on the other hand, is your best choice for capturing drums, guitars, and other powerful sound sources.
Personally, a music recording microphone falling in the condenser type would provide you with more experimentation possibilities and take you further. However, that view might be quite subjective and vary from producer to producer.
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How to record music on computer with a microphone?
Below, we'll go over some of the fundamentals of utilizing a microphone to record music at home, such as getting set up, selecting a recording area, and microphone positioning.
Set up your home music recording microphone
Some microphones are simple to set up with its plug-and-play design. In this case, you just need to connect the mic to your computer with a correct cable. However, if you pick a professional XLR shotgun mic like SYNCO D2, you will need an audio interface.
Typically, an included cable will allow you to connect your audio interface to a computer. Generally, Thunderbolt or USB are used. Find a free port on your computer, insert the proper end of the cable into it (there is generally only one method to do this, so you can't really screw this up), and then insert the other end of the cable into the port that is marked USB, PC, or computer on the interface. Then you can plug the mic into one of the audio interface inputs with the XLR cable.
Once your music recording microphone for computer is connected, you must choose it as the input device. The audio settings on your computer provide access to this. Make a quick check to determine if your computer is receiving audio from your microphone; when you speak into the mic, the level meter should move. Additionally, you must choose the microphone as your recording software's input and output device.
Choose a good recording space
When making any type of recording, it is critical to understand how your surroundings may impact your audio; this is especially true when recording music. Of course, most of us don't have access to a soundproofed home studio, and you don't need one to produce a great-sounding recording, but you do need to take some precautions to ensure that your surroundings isn't negatively affecting your sound.
If you use the microphone for classical music recording, a big space with wood floors is a good choice. You want a "deader" space with little reverb for rock and pop vocals. If you live in a tiny flat, go to your closet. Your clothes absorb a lot of sounds, and you may add reverb to your mixes thanks to the incredible assortment of reverb plugins available in today's digital audio software. (However, keep in mind that when it comes to singing, a little reverb goes a long way.)
Consider best music recording microphone placement
The placement of your music recording microphone is the next thing to think about. In general, you want it close to your sound source, but you may experiment with different distances depending on what you're capturing.
When using the microphone for recording vocals, keep your distance from it to roughly 20cm. If you're singing quietly, move closer to the grill for a more intimate sound; if you're singing loudly, back off the mike for a more open, experimental effect.
If you're recording acoustic guitar, move the mic closer and make sure it's pointing towards the center of the instrument. This will provide a balanced sound, but you may also try various locations to observe how they affect the tone. For electric guitar, place the mic around 10cm from the center of the amp speaker for a clean, clear sound.
Check the music recording checklist
Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes time to record your vocal track:
- Make sure to record in quiet environment
- Examine your microphone for static or buzzing
- To lessen plosives, make sure you have a pop filter or windscreen
- Get the levels perfect by doing a soundcheck with your microphone
- If you're going to record many takes, make sure they're properly labeled
- When you're satisfied with your recording, save it as a WAV or AIFF file.
FAQs
In the studio, what music studio recording microphone do singers use?
Singers utilize a variety of microphones while recording in the studio, but cardioid condenser mics are the best for picking up vocals.
How do I get rid of the noise in my music recordings?
You can minimize the noise in your recordings by doing a few things. To begin, make sure you're recording in a room with decent acoustics and low echo. A smaller voice booth with soft surfaces (carpet, drapes, etc.) will aid in sound absorption and reduction of echoes. To further lessen echoes, consider draping blankets or towels around the room.
Besides music recording microphone, what equipment do I need to record music?
The sort of equipment you'll need will be determined by the quality of recordings you want to make. You'll need the following to make high-quality recordings:
- Microphone(s)
- XLR cable(s)
- Mic stand(s)
- Shock mount(s)
- Pop filter(s)
- Headphones or monitors
- Interface/preamp
- Computer & DAW software
- Recording space treatment (acoustic panels, etc.)