The Art of Vocal Recording: Capturing the Best Performance and Sound

Hey y’all!

Lately, I’ve been on a vocal CRUSADE- not just focused on capturing the best recording, but bringing out the best performance too. So many little nuances shape a truly authentic, compelling vocal take, hence why I’m dedicating this blog to the VERY noble art of vocal recording.

On that fabulous note, I had a blast chatting with Engineer Samantha Henry (Tyga, YG, Lil Tecca).

I asked her: “What’s the key to achieving a great, consistent vocal recording and performance from an artist?”

How to Achieve a Consistent Vocal Recording

She said: “To get a consistent vocal recording, I would suggest creating a recording template that you're comfortable navigating around easily in. Use it as much as possible and refine it as you work more with it. The less you have to think about the technical side, the faster you can navigate the session, keeping the artist in their creative flow by capturing their ideas quickly. Know what levels you like your vocals to hit in your DAW and if you're using an analog vocal chain, try to have the controls as close to you as possible so you can adjust the mic pre or compressor as needed while recording.

Creating a Comfortable Space for the Best Vocal Performance

As a recording engineer, my top priority for capturing an artist's best performance is making them feel comfortable. The studio is a creative, vulnerable, and unrehearsed space that they're bringing you into. My role is to foster an environment where the artist feels safe to explore their ideas judgment free. 

If I notice pacing could sound tighter, maybe a section could use more stacks, a vocal phrase could end on a different note, or whatever the case is, I like to say, "let's try this for fun, and if we don't like it, we can go back". Putting it this way keeps things light, so we can try new ideas without any pressure, while still respecting the original idea.

It's also about reading the room so that you're giving your input only when necessary. Some artists may prefer to lead and will only ask if they want an outside opinion. Regardless, maintaining that comfortable space and respecting the artist's decisions are the essentials to keeping a good flow.”

Bringing It All Together: Technical and Creative Balance

I love how Samantha’s answer blended both the technical and personal sides of vocal recording. On the technical end, emphasizing the importance of a solid template- one that sets you up for success, allows you to work quickly, and keeps things effortless so you can stay fully present with the artist. That flows right into her second point: being there with and for the artist, creating a safe, comfortable space where they can truly shine.

This really got me thinking about ways to refine my own template- like pre-setting levels for a smoother workflow- and new ways to help artists feel at ease, both in the way I phrase things, and the mood I set in the room when we record. I’m super excited to start applying Samantha’s principles to my own sessions and see how they elevate both the process and the performance!

Thanks Samantha for your insightful answer!

Catch y’all next blog!