| Background and Lead Vocals with One Mic
Dynamic or Condenser Mic?
Condenser microphones are usually the best choice to use when recording studio vocal tracks because they have a flat frequency response and the ability to capture sonic detail. Condenser mics with a cardioid polar pattern also have an increased bass boost when the vocalist is singing within close range. This is called the proximity effect.
Getting the Most From One Microphone:
If you want to record lead and background vocals from the same singer, take advantage of a condenser microphone’s proximity effect, to give each track a distinct identity.
- Using a large diaphragm mic with a cardioid polar pattern, place the microphone 2-3” away from the vocalist’s mouth for the lead vocals.
- For the background vocals, place the microphone 6-12” away.
Because of the proximity effect, the low and mid-range frequencies on the lead vocal track will be boosted, giving it a thicker, warmer sound and help it stand out. By placing the mic further away for the background vocals, they naturally sound thinner without any other tweaking during the mixing process and they won’t conflict with the lead vocal for the spotlight.
Here are a few other things to keep in mind:
- An Omni-directional pattern will eliminate any proximity effect!
- Some mics have a bass roll off switch, which will actually turn down some of the low end at the mic. You can use this if the proximity effect is too boomy.
- Because the singer is so close, the mic will pickup a hotter signal. If the vocalist is singing too loudly, use the –10db volume pad to prevent distortion and protect the microphone’s diaphragm.
In most cases, the proximity effect can help to add an intimate quality to a vocal track, but sometimes it can muddy up the sound as well, especially when reverb is added. Listen critically and use your ears as a guide.
If you have a larger mic selection, you can use a tube microphone for the lead vocals and a tubeless microphone for the backgrounds to achieve a similar balance of the thinned out background vocals.
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