distance from mic when recording rap vocals?

DAH · 5th July 2006, 08:55 AM

I`m just wondering if there are some common rules for mic placement ? nearly every interview with rap producers says that rap vocals are close-miked. but how close-miked? i`ve been trying different placements with my MK139 - everything closer than 15 cm(6'') is too boomy and tends to be more of announcer`s vocals type. it is very hard to place such vocals into mix, even if the HPF was on.
what approach is the best: tracking close as possible and then cut the hell outta lows or just place the mic a little bit further (12'' or so)?

NesNeedsGear · 9th July 2006, 03:43 AM

There's always a sweet spot on most mics. takes a while to find it.

even more important than a sweet spot is a consitently good vocalist. Every "rapper" who comes in my studio learns to follow the beat with their hands, not with their body or by bopping their heads. I tell them to stay deathly still at a consistent distance from the mic. usually about 6".

waving their hands around as opposed to their head and neck makes everything so much easier. I get great vocal takes, and they're always glad to learn proper studio technique.

defjamm · 9th July 2006, 03:49 AM

if it's close-miked and a condenser is used i would say try 6-10 inches. with a dynamic mic much nearer.

Igotsoul4u · 9th July 2006, 06:53 AM

I am a big advocate of some space because rappers do not know anything about working a mic. I put the pop filter about 6" off the capsule so there is no way they can get too close. I also prefer a little headroom also.

s.d.finley · 9th July 2006, 08:02 AM

Some mics exhibit more of a proximity effect than others, keep that in mind. What may work for one mic and rapper, may not work with same rapper and different mic.

Generally, 6" or more is the distance I like them to be away. I also have the pop filter that distance from the mic to help keep them from getting too close.

If they keep getting too close, and the mic has a pad, and low cut, try them out.

sdf

kingneeraj · 9th July 2006, 09:44 AM

I usually just put my pop filter 3" away from my C800... most rappers i work with just naturally rap about 1-3" away from the pop... so like most people have said above, i would go with 4-6"...

FULL-DUPLEX · 9th July 2006, 10:40 AM

@ DAH

You also need a high quality pop filter... I can say it because I have used a "no-name" brand and the result was not as good as it should...

Regards,

F.D.

Franco · 12th July 2006, 06:47 PM

Good advice so far, word to having a pop filter and finding the sweet spot on your mic.

To add to what's been said, I like to place the mic a bit above their nose, so that the MC has to sort of lift his chin up a little, and in my experience, this helps them get their vocal to project better as well as keeping at least their head still, haha.

I like to tell them that I want to do a few practice takes to get the levels sorted out (but keep all the takes) and after I've gotten their levels, I'll turn down the gain just a tad bit because 98% of the time, they're going to spit their verses louder (somehow that always seems to be the case, haha).

DAH · 13th July 2006, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingneeraj

I usually just put my pop filter 3" away from my C800... most rappers i work with just naturally rap about 1-3" away from the pop... so like most people have said above, i would go with 4-6"...

Man, do you mean Sony C 800 ? 4" work well?

brian_delizza · 13th July 2006, 06:56 AM

Stand at one end of a football field and have someone else hold a parabolic mic on the other end.

Seriously though... play with it, just keep it a consistent distance, don't rap like a chicken having a seizure like many of the rappers I've seen record vocals.

Try tilting your mic a little... so you aren't going directly at your diaphragm, a little off axis never hurt anybody...

DAH · 13th July 2006, 09:47 AM

OK all of your posts say that extreme bright lows-low mids cutting isn`t the trick...
it`s the mic position that makes THAT sound. good, 6 inces - it`s the distance I found to be the sweet spot to my ears.
so - no EQing when possible - just put da mic right, aaaight ?

kingneeraj - could you throw for me (and for the people) unprocessed samples of your C800 in .wav? Pleease )

brian_delizza · 13th July 2006, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAH

so - no EQing when possible - just put da mic right, aaaight ?

Exactly. Mic placement is the best form of EQing...

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5th July 2006, 08:55 AM	#1
DAH Gear maniac Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yaroslavl, Russia Posts: 220	distance from mic when recording rap vocals? I`m just wondering if there are some common rules for mic placement ? nearly every interview with rap producers says that rap vocals are close-miked. but how close-miked? i`ve been trying different placements with my MK139 - everything closer than 15 cm(6'') is too boomy and tends to be more of announcer`s vocals type. it is very hard to place such vocals into mix, even if the HPF was on. what approach is the best: tracking close as possible and then cut the hell outta lows or just place the mic a little bit further (12'' or so)?

9th July 2006, 03:43 AM	#2
NesNeedsGear Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 540	There's always a sweet spot on most mics. takes a while to find it. even more important than a sweet spot is a consitently good vocalist. Every "rapper" who comes in my studio learns to follow the beat with their hands, not with their body or by bopping their heads. I tell them to stay deathly still at a consistent distance from the mic. usually about 6". waving their hands around as opposed to their head and neck makes everything so much easier. I get great vocal takes, and they're always glad to learn proper studio technique. __________________

9th July 2006, 09:44 AM	#6
kingneeraj Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 493	I usually just put my pop filter 3" away from my C800... most rappers i work with just naturally rap about 1-3" away from the pop... so like most people have said above, i would go with 4-6"... __________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - Neeraj K.

13th July 2006, 06:56 AM	#10
brian_delizza Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: CA Posts: 498	Stand at one end of a football field and have someone else hold a parabolic mic on the other end. Seriously though... play with it, just keep it a consistent distance, don't rap like a chicken having a seizure like many of the rappers I've seen record vocals. Try tilting your mic a little... so you aren't going directly at your diaphragm, a little off axis never hurt anybody... __________________ www.indopendence.com www.briandelizza.com www.myspace.com/optymaemcee www.myspace.com/wastelandsmusic

9th July 2006, 03:49 AM	#3
defjamm Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 566	if it's close-miked and a condenser is used i would say try 6-10 inches. with a dynamic mic much nearer.

9th July 2006, 06:53 AM	#4
Igotsoul4u Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,607	I am a big advocate of some space because rappers do not know anything about working a mic. I put the pop filter about 6" off the capsule so there is no way they can get too close. I also prefer a little headroom also.

9th July 2006, 08:02 AM	#5
s.d.finley Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,026	Some mics exhibit more of a proximity effect than others, keep that in mind. What may work for one mic and rapper, may not work with same rapper and different mic. Generally, 6" or more is the distance I like them to be away. I also have the pop filter that distance from the mic to help keep them from getting too close. If they keep getting too close, and the mic has a pad, and low cut, try them out. sdf

9th July 2006, 10:40 AM	#7
FULL-DUPLEX Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 509	@ DAH You also need a high quality pop filter... I can say it because I have used a "no-name" brand and the result was not as good as it should... Regards, F.D.

12th July 2006, 06:47 PM	#8
Franco Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Not working on music, which is were I SHOULD be. Posts: 314	Good advice so far, word to having a pop filter and finding the sweet spot on your mic. To add to what's been said, I like to place the mic a bit above their nose, so that the MC has to sort of lift his chin up a little, and in my experience, this helps them get their vocal to project better as well as keeping at least their head still, haha. I like to tell them that I want to do a few practice takes to get the levels sorted out (but keep all the takes) and after I've gotten their levels, I'll turn down the gain just a tad bit because 98% of the time, they're going to spit their verses louder (somehow that always seems to be the case, haha).

13th July 2006, 09:47 AM	#11
DAH Gear maniac Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yaroslavl, Russia Posts: 220	OK all of your posts say that extreme bright lows-low mids cutting isn`t the trick... it`s the mic position that makes THAT sound. good, 6 inces - it`s the distance I found to be the sweet spot to my ears. so - no EQing when possible - just put da mic right, aaaight ? kingneeraj - could you throw for me (and for the people) unprocessed samples of your C800 in .wav? Pleease )

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