Good Vocal Microphones that Make the Difference.

What makes a good recording? Gives a live performance life? Makes the difference between a groundbreaking song that marks a milestone in music history and just another top ten hit? In most cases, if not almost all, its the vocal performance. In a few cases, maybe its a legendary guitar or drum performance, but more often than not, its the vocals that make us feel something special.

Its for this reason that home recording enthusiast have to follow a simple precept, and that is, start with the best. Compromising on quality is never as evident as it is when you skimp out on adding a quality vocal microphone to your recording setup. Of course, we all can’t afford top of the line Neumann tube condenser microphones, but it’s still possible to get a great mic and still keep within your budget.

The truth about recording anything, including vocals, is that there is only so much you can do to repair a poorly recorded track after the fact. No matter what your budget, or your purpose or goals, you need to start with the best equipment you can afford. Too often in the home recording studios, the artist delivers an exceptional performance but is betrayed by inadequate equipment, resulting in a lackluster recording that cannot capture the original tone or energy.

Conventional wisdom is often not wisdom at all, but in this case I have to go with it – start with the best vocal microphone you can afford. Everything else further down the chain will benefit from a good vocal mic. you can get away with fudging a lot of things in your recording setup, but starting with a good solid vocal microphone is absolutely essential to capturing any performance. All the money you spent on Logic or Pro Tools and all your hot new M-Audio gear isnt going to help your vocal track if you’re singing into a Shure SM57.

Start with the right equipment ” get yourself a quality vocal microphone, you will be glad you did. These days, there are tons of manufacturers like AKG, Audio Technica, Shure, Sennheiser, and others who make decent microphones in the $200-$400 range. A large diaphragm cardiod condenser microphone will give your vocals shape and clarity, allowing your vocal tracks to cut through the rest of the mix.

It really cant be said enough. Get yourself a quality vocal microphone before you record anything. Bad vocals will sound a little better, and great vocals wont be wasted. If youve got something to say, dont let your message get lost in the mix.