Mic Position MATTERS - How to Record and Set Up Vocals (Vocal Recording Tutorial with the Rode NT1)

Follow me here:

In this tutorial we learn how to record vocals and get the proper mic position! Because that matters a lot! Setting up for microphone for the proper tone you want to achieve is super important, and not too hard. Vocal recording can seem like a straight forward process, but the more you know, the better you are....obviously. As is usual, we'll be using our trusty Rode NT1 :)

TIMESTAMPS:

Intro: 00:00
Dynamic vs Condenser: 01:42
XLR Cables + Phase: 03:06
Phantom/48V Power: 05:19
Position in the Room: 07:35
Positions and Demonstration: 11:53
Back to Back Demos: 14:56

----------------------------------------

In case you want to know what gear I use all the time.

These are amazon affiliate links, so I get a percentage of the sale if you buy from these links, it's a nice way to support the channel!

Interface:

Microphones:

Synths and Controllers:

Amp:

Software and DAWs

[EthanToga]

I knew I would look short in this video lmao RICKY IS TALL OKAY

[BrunoJaureguiMusic]

Im gonna start doing the second position. That sounded so good

[paulus.schmaulus]

In the end, my conclusion is: Ethan sounds great either way. But what a great tip to "force" the singer into having a good posture. He doesn't need it, but I'll definitely gonna try this out!

[mttlsa]

the upside down position was also used for the first time with tube mics with the purpose of not dissipate the heat on the capsule

[vacation_generation]

Great video. The comment by Ethan about mic position was very helpful around posture and opening up the vocal promoting tendency to open up by aiming high. Hadn't considered this and it's so obvious.Will definitely try that one.

[aether]

This is such an amazing video! Honestly you are the most helpful source I have found on YouTube because you break everything down so simply and demonstrate it in such an applicable way. Keep this up, your content speaks for itself!

[Ryan-kfof]

The very reason I came here was that I was thinking vocal takes were sounding a lot worse and about the distance you just described seemed best but then I was also doubting myself as a singer so.. one of those moments. Really great educational content.

[RitadeLosAngeles]

Helpful video, and I really like the song from the singer in this video. He has a very nice voice too!

[TheProduceAisleMusic]

I like your style! But a correction: XLR is not "external line return". Like so many other audio things, the name is a series and model name. It was a Cannon-X-series connector, named after its inventor James H. Cannon, with the addition of a Latch (L) and a (R) rubber polymer compound around the connectors. Thanks for helpful videos--loved seeing those mic positions--going to try #2!

[AceSaiyanman]

I like the first position and Top position of the mic, awesome video man! ^_^

[boot]

this might be the best one i've seen on vocals

[kjellbraaten]

Great video! I´ll definitely recommend this to lots of my customers and cooperatives! Thank you.

[DrSimonBignell]

It's very important for the engineer to check and adjust the whole vocal chain in the mix, not just the position of the mic. So, start with a test record, mix the draft to hear how it sits amongst other tracks, and then adjust what needs to be tweaked - room, mic choice, position, preamp, fatigue, time of day, humidity, absorbtion, early/late reflections, hydration, monitoring, filtering, gain staging etc etc... They are all in a dynamic relationship with eachother. Changing one impacts the others. This makes listening to it back in the mix with good flat monitoring essential, not just considering the vocal in isolation. The room at the point of monitoring back is the critical element, far more important than at the time of the recording. So this process allows for getting it right on the way in and makes the final mix easier. There aren't rules for vocal mic placements. It's part of the creative decision process in relation to these other elements, especially checking in the mix.

[adamgreenhill]

This was really helpful! I always wondered why I get those peaky/sibilant highs on vocals, I'll try your mic angles. And I should stop singing in the corner...
Thanks for the great info!

[hello.steve.newcomb]

This was fantastic! Important considerations for every mic - great to see/hear the subtle changes that are possible.

[nyfty]

Man that Ethan guy is pretty good huh hahaha miss you guys loads

[ChrisSchaffer]

Man... windows....
I do VO from my office which has/had a very nice window... that thing is now behind about 100lbs of sound blocking and absorbing material. Blocking because I am near some busy streets and next to a business parking lot, and the absorbing for exactly the reasons you mention. It was lame to lose the view, but it was an excellent object lesson in making a space that I enjoy being in work in a new way. I mention this mostly because of your comment about 'sticking a vocalist in the closet might not always be best' because I could have tried a closet setup, it would have been cheaper and faster, but I probably would have quit after month. The rest of the space is less ideal, still treated, but it's my office, it's 'small, ' it's square, it has hard surfaces galore!
Just like your recording from a much less treated space, what's most important is that you figure out how do do whatever it is you love as well as you can and with whatever compromises you find acceptable in the space you have.

Really love the vocal comparison for mic positions and info on spacing. Overall I feel like mic technique (at least in terms of my preferred channels) is under represented as a video topic. I see a lot of people discuss it in forums, and it's a huge coaching topic, but this is one of the few videos I have personally seen - with the exception of Judd Curtis and mic technique/placement that is focused on a video production environment.

[TheHalfmanofOz]

Must have been a lot of work to make this video. Much appreciated.

[billwren]

The position that makes the singer sing in the correct manner was the best position. the vocals were louder and clearer. great video bro

[timothyreynolds]

Thanks! Super helpful. The mic positions was 100% what I needed.