#1015436 - 12/08/10 02:34 AM
Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
|
DAGtunes
Planeteer
Registered: 11/29/07
Posts: 7590
Loc: San Clemente, CA
|
Hello all,
So, I'm hiring in a female vocalist to sing a few lines at the end of one of my tunes. It's a part that I can only sing in head voice/falsetto, and I don't care for that sound for this song.
I've never tried to record a female singer before, anything I need to be aware of?
What mic should I use? Here are my choices:
CAD Equitek E-200 - Large Diaphragm Condenser
Modded Octava MK219 - LDC
Shure SM7B - LDD (Large Diaphragm Dynamic)
I know, I know...experiment, right? Well, I've got her for 1 hour only. It's all I can afford. (I'm paying her.)
I need as much insight as possible going in.
Any experience out there with recording female vocalists? The part is soprano, and is not a "high energy" part. Just a "pretty" little repeating motif as the song fades out.
Insight appreciated! 
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1015441 - 12/08/10 02:55 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: DAGtunes]
|
WRC,Jr.
Planeteer
Registered: 01/08/05
Posts: 5579
Loc: San Antonio
|
I love my SM7B, but I'm not a soprano. I would go with the modded Octava. BTW, I have an unmodded Octava.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015447 - 12/08/10 04:31 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: WRC,Jr.]
|
Popmann
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 05/23/02
Posts: 33126
Loc: Twangville, TN
|
The female soprano I recorded for my record used the sm7. When we did her solo stuff (her record) on lead we used the old 414, because she liked the scoop. She said it made her sound less twangy. I would've picked the sm7 again.
Mostly I think you're over thinking it. Why not put both up? The sm7 and whichever ldc is airy and purty? Hit record to two tracks.... Figure it out after she leaves?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015448 - 12/08/10 04:33 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: slotz]
|
Doofie
Doofie
Planeteer
Registered: 04/04/02
Posts: 14269
Loc: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
|
I have two E-200 and have used them to record many female vocalists with much success. I've never used the Octava MK219 so I can't comment, especially considering whatever mods were done.
I prefer LDC over dynamic for recording female vocals, but I haven't used the SM7B.
_________________________
"On religion, the common man finds it to be true,
the wise man finds it foolish,
and the wealthy man finds it useful."
-Seneca The Younger ~76AD
I'm David McMillan. My friends call me Chuck.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015454 - 12/08/10 04:50 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: Doofie]
|
DAGtunes
Planeteer
Registered: 11/29/07
Posts: 7590
Loc: San Clemente, CA
|
Thanks, guys. Good input.
I don't get the "put up both" suggestion though Jamie. At the same time? What about the benefits of proximity affect? Which should she aim for? Or are you saying track the part twice using each mic separately?
Also, I only have a single channel vocal strip. (Tube pre, optical compressor, tube semi-parametric EQ...) If I switch mic's, I'll have to futz with the settings on that for each mic. Not a big deal, but just another motivation to just use one mic.
The CAD does have a really nuetral sound, in general, so I'll probably just go with that.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015457 - 12/08/10 05:00 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: DAGtunes]
|
Dot
Planeteer
Registered: 12/13/00
Posts: 9013
Loc: New York
|
DAGtunes, if you can't do what Pop suggests, I'd agree with the CAD choice.
_________________________
"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection." — Leonardo da Vinci
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015463 - 12/08/10 05:21 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: Dot]
|
DAGtunes
Planeteer
Registered: 11/29/07
Posts: 7590
Loc: San Clemente, CA
|
Thanks, Dot. 
If I'm efficient enough, I guess we can switch out the mics and track the part a few different times...
The CAD used to be my go to vocal mic, until I got my SM7B. I've been favoring the Shure for my own male rock vocals...Although, this particular song was actually recorded entirely using the CAD! (I recorded my vocals for this song before I bought the SM7B...)
I think the CAD is pretty good at being "nuetral." But the SM7B just makes my voice sound "cool." 
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015464 - 12/08/10 05:28 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: DAGtunes]
|
Popmann
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 05/23/02
Posts: 33126
Loc: Twangville, TN
|
You need two channels. She doesn't need to "aim"...you should be able to get the diaphragms close enough that it would make no diff at a few inches.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015465 - 12/08/10 05:30 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: Popmann]
|
Popmann
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 05/23/02
Posts: 33126
Loc: Twangville, TN
|
Don't try doing different takes w different mics. Commit to one and focus on getting the performance.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015466 - 12/08/10 05:39 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: Popmann]
|
DAGtunes
Planeteer
Registered: 11/29/07
Posts: 7590
Loc: San Clemente, CA
|
Thanks, Popmann. I agree that is the best way to go. I have one hour to teach her the part, get levels, set up a cue mix she can use, and capture the performance.
Simplest is going to be best, I suspect.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015468 - 12/08/10 05:54 AM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: DAGtunes]
|
Dot
Planeteer
Registered: 12/13/00
Posts: 9013
Loc: New York
|
... capture the performance.
Absolutely. Screw the gear. Fuck the mic. Toss a coin to select one. Put some Jung, chance, I-Ching into that shit. : )
Focus on her and the music. Let us know how it goes...
_________________________
"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection." — Leonardo da Vinci
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015553 - 12/08/10 06:29 PM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: Dot]
|
Delso
Planeteer
Registered: 06/27/99
Posts: 16177
Loc: the beautiful Blackmore Vale
|
"Female soprano"? Which one - Carmela? Janice? Meadow? Be careful, there, DAG!
_________________________
Artiste # 2 (those were the days!)
VS-Planet Syntax Snob and Deputy Spelling Nazi.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1015582 - 12/08/10 08:19 PM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: DAGtunes]
|
amiller
Planeteer
Registered: 03/18/02
Posts: 5266
Loc: Wilmington DE
|
If you don't have the time or opportunity to audition her on different mics or you don't have two channels available at once then...
Do as suggested earlier, CAPTURE THE PERFORMANCE. I'd take a spectacular performance on a maybe less than perfect mic choice over a so, so performance on the "perfect" mic any day.
_________________________
"...we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals..." Barack Obama
Registered: 03-18-2002
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1016057 - 12/10/10 08:23 PM
Re: Recording a female soprano - what mic to use?
[Re: amiller]
|
DAGtunes
Planeteer
Registered: 11/29/07
Posts: 7590
Loc: San Clemente, CA
|
So, I had her over to the studio yesterday...
Boy, does one hour go by quickly when you're trying to track! Played her the track, got the mic set to the right height/position, got level, taught her the part, hit record.
Captured 4 different passes at it, and then had her add to a couple harmony stacks for good measure. (Choir-like part...all "me" choir, except now including her voice on the top, too!)
I used the CAD LDC, which sounded nice, as usual. A little sibilent, but I think that's actually just her voice, as I noticed that on other recordings I had heard of hers. It's not bad though.
The toughest part was that what I really needed/wanted was a very "innocent" sounding part. I wanted it too sound like "something a teenage girl is singing when she doesn't think anyone is listening" kind of thing. Fits the theme of the song.
This young lady was a little too "experienced" to do that, and couldn't help showing her "chops" a bit. She really had trouble dialing back the soul/R&B vibe.
I got her to do one or two takes pretty "straight" just so I have that flavor to choose from. Most of what she gave me is more "soulful" than I wanted...I know, I know, that would normally be a good thing - you'd have to hear it in the context of the song, and with my little mental filter to get what I mean...
Either way, she was professional, and her pitch was impeccable. I know I got something out of the 4 passes that will satisfy me - even if I just have to do a chop job to make that happen.
God Bless digital editing...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
2 registered
(2 invisible)
and 30 anonymous users online.
|
|
21370 Members
26 Forums
160036 Topics
1853418 Posts
Max Online: 386 @ 01/18/23 04:57 AM
|
|
|
