If you want to record some rap vocals, there are two main things you need to consider:
- Decent Gear
Let’s start with the least important thing you need: gear. Yup, it really is the least important. Notice my heading said “decent” gear. Having great gear is … well … great, but the truth is even a $100 microphone can sound fantastic if you have good rapping technique. Having said that, go for the decent stuff if you can; it does make a difference.
You’ll want a condenser microphone – or even a good ribbon mic if you can afford it. They’re better for recording rap vocals – they’re more sensitive and capture more sound from the surrounding area. A good condenser captures the sound of your vocal cavity, the resonance of your head and the sound of the room itself. With a dynamic microphone, you have to be right on top of it. If you’re even one inch away, the volume drops significantly. Dynamics are mostly used for live performances, because you don’t want the sound of the guitars and drums coming through your vocal mic when performing live. However in a controlled studio environment, you don’t have that problem, so a condenser is always best.
In my Minneapolis recording studio, we have a Neumann U87. It’s a really amazing mic and it sounds awesome. But, with a little technical knowledge, a good $300 microphone will do the trick too.
You’ll also need a pre-amp. A pre-amp gives power to the microphone and sends the proper signal to the recording device. We often use an API 521c. They ‘re industry standard and super smooth! Often, we’ll also use a compressor, a Neve 33609 N, – it works in the signal chain to help with spikes in volume. Compression can also be applied after the recording is complete.
If you’re paying money to be in a studio, they should provide you with a good vocal chain. Make sure they have a good mic and pre-amp set up. Hopefully, they’ll have a good compressor too, but it is not always necessary.
- Technique
This is the most important thing: technique! If you’re a singer, you need to worry about pitch, but as a rapper, technique is the only thing that matters. When a condenser microphone is set to record vocals, you usually need to be about two to three inches from it. There will probably be a pop-filter (used to cut popping consonants P and B) in front of the microphone. Put it about two to three inches from the mic and get right up on it. Stay on it. Discipline yourself to stand very still. Put your energy into your delivery, not your body. Flailing and dancing around in the booth is bad technique.
You’ll need to work on your dynamics. There are ways to create an energetic feel without raising your volume. Of course, sometimes you may want to get louder. That’s ok too, just back up a little from the mic. Every microphone and pre-amp chain is a little different and the more vocals you cut the better you’ll get at sensing the equipment’s capabilities. Remember unless, you’re going for some specific effect, you don’t want to distort the signal so stay in the range where your voice is clear.
If needed, you can create different effects by singing either very close to the mic in a whisper tone or backing up and screaming. If you’re doing this, work closely with the engineer to get the sound you want. You can cut your lead track in one setting and then add some scream or whisper lines on a separate track, however most of the time you’ll want to be right up on that mic, singing or rapping with a clear and consistent tone and volume.
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