Recording Full Range Vocals using inexpensive Mics

Here's a tip for getting a full range "expensive" sound from mics you're likely to already have around, particularly on close vocals where the low end from stock mics never seems to sound quite right to me. Vocal sound is produced from the whole of the upper body, importantly the chest resonates and produces low frequency sounds. Record two tracks - a) the main vocal as normal using your favorite stock mic - I have had good results from an SM57 b) a D12 or similar about 6" from the back or chest of the vocalist. Use the second track sparingly to enhance the low end of the main vocal sound on the first track, and use effects sparingly on the low frequency track - the result can be a significantly warmer, richer closer vocal sound, without using expensive mics, chambers or pre-amps. Hope this works for you, I've been amazed by some of the results.

Doug Davidson
Chief Engineer
Sox, Oxford, England
doug@rmplc.net