Some questions about a home studio (recording vocals at home)?
August 30th, 2010 | 
Author: I would like to start a mini home studio. Right now, I’m only getting started, so I don’t want to make my own music just yet. I thought I’d just sing some remixed versions of some others songs. But with the current mic I have, I just can’t do that. When I use Sony Vegas to mix the instrumental version of a song and my vocals, they just sound like 2 totally different recordings. I’d like to find a mic that has a professional recording quality.
I’ve read some articles, and I came up with a large-diaphragm condenser microphone. An article says it’s the best choice for home vocal recording. However, is it really better than a small-diaphragm condenser microphone if I need to shout a lot? And this mic needs "phantom power". I’m not exactly sure what that means. The mic I have now is a simple USB mic. I plug it in my comp, and it’s ready to use. Does it work differently with a condenser mic?
What I want is, a condenser mic with a pop screen, along with a headset so I can hear my actual performance while I sing. What other equipment would I need, except for a mic, a pop screen, and a headset? Do I plug the mic and the headset in a same thing? I have Sound Forge and Sony Vegas, so I think computer programs ain’t a problem.
Any help is appreciated!
There is a wonderful article on setting up a home studio in this website for recording enthusiasts that I’m a part of that will probably help you a ton and answer most of your questions :
http://www.audioneeds.com/forums/content.php?3-The-Startup-Studio
Also, you should seriously consider joining a community like http://www.audioneeds.com – it’s a great forum filled with sound engineers that are always asking and answering questions and discussing techniques in mixing and recording. I think it’ll help you a lot since you are interested in recording so much. 
Good luck my friend!
Posted in recording studio at home
For recordings vocals a large-diaphragm condenser mic is a must. A pop shield is also needed as this masks plosive sounds. If you have a decent soundcard with an input for phantom powered mics then that will be a plus also as it will be needed if you don’t have a mixer.
Where i am (the UK) Rhode and AKG seem to be the most popular brands of condensers.
Also, you will need to be able to cut out the sounds from equipment such as your computer fans, this can be done (if your on a really tight budget) by opening your wardrobe, taking out the clothes, and padding each side and back on the inside (temporarily, as you will want to put your clothes back in when your finished) with bedding such as a quilt. put your mic stand inside the wardrobe along with your mic.
When singing into the mic try and keep an inch or two from the pop shield and keep the pop shield an inch or two away from the mic.
I hope all of that helps you.
References :
There is a wonderful article on setting up a home studio in this website for recording enthusiasts that I’m a part of that will probably help you a ton and answer most of your questions :
http://www.audioneeds.com/forums/content.php?3-The-Startup-Studio
Also, you should seriously consider joining a community like http://www.audioneeds.com – it’s a great forum filled with sound engineers that are always asking and answering questions and discussing techniques in mixing and recording. I think it’ll help you a lot since you are interested in recording so much.
Good luck my friend!
References :
http://www.audioneeds.com