If you have a microphone to record your vocals, you need a preamp. The reason is simple: a microphone produces a very low voltage output that is between 50dB and 80dB quieter than the line-level output from electronic instruments. The preamplifier boosts the mic-level signal up to the same strength of a line-level signal, i.e. it ensures the sound the mic picks up is just … [Read more...] about Best Mic Preamp For Vocals (Updated Jan 2019)
Singing
24 Vocal Experts Reveal Top Beginner Mistakes And How To Fix Them
The best way to learn anything is from an expert in the field. Singing is no different. But there's something even better than learning from an expert—learning from 24 of them. And these aren't just experts at singing; they're experts at teaching, too. I reached out to 24 professional vocal instructors and asked them one question. A question that can help any … [Read more...] about 24 Vocal Experts Reveal Top Beginner Mistakes And How To Fix Them
Are Singing Lessons Necessary?
The easy answer: no, vocal lessons are not necessary. But it's never that easy, is it? In the end, it really comes down to your goals. Why do you want to sing better? Is it to sound good when you sing karaoke? Is singing just a hobby? Or do you plan to make a career out of it? Determining your goals for considering voice lessons is vital. Until you have done that, … [Read more...] about Are Singing Lessons Necessary?
How To Improve Voice Quality Naturally For Singing
We all want to sound better, but that is easier said than done, right? Not necessarily. It's actually a lot easier than most people think to get a decent singing voice. Most of us, when we first start signing, see a drastic improvement very quickly. Of course, this only happens if we know exactly what we need to work on. If you're trying to improve the quality of … [Read more...] about How To Improve Voice Quality Naturally For Singing
How To Hold Notes Longer (Better Vocal Stamina In 5 Easy Tips)
Are you struggling to nail your favorite song because you just can't sustain that long note? If you want to be a good singer you need to have the ability to hold a note for a sustained period. And you need to maintain control and quality of the note while singing it. The good news is: it's not that hard. An inability to sustain a long note is usually due to a problem … [Read more...] about How To Hold Notes Longer (Better Vocal Stamina In 5 Easy Tips)
How To Improve Your Singing Voice In A Week
Is it really possible to see any improvement in just a week? It is. And you only need to spend 15 or 20 minutes per day to do it. Most beginning singers do a lot of little things wrong and fixing those little things leads to a huge improvement in their singing voice. Taking 15 minutes to work on one specific technique per day allows you to perfect the basics in under a … [Read more...] about How To Improve Your Singing Voice In A Week
What Type Of Microphone Do I Need?
So, you're looking for a microphone and you've realized just how many different types there are to choose from. You've read terms like 'condenser', 'dynamic', 'cardioid', 'figure 8', etc. But what do they all mean? And, more importantly, which one of those terms describes the mic you want for your specific needs? In this article, I look at a number of common … [Read more...] about What Type Of Microphone Do I Need?
Microphone Polar Patterns Explained
Do you keep coming across terms like cardioid or supercardioid? Those are two types of microphone pickup patterns and I realize reading that probably doesn't clear much up. But we'll take care of that. Microphone patterns, like the diagrams below, show the zones around the microphone where that mic picks up sound well and where it does not pick up sound at … [Read more...] about Microphone Polar Patterns Explained
Best Vocal Microphone For Live Performance
You need a special kind of mic for a live performance. Unlike studio singing, where clarity is the most important feature, when you are performing live, you need a mic that is able to ignore all the background noise and only pick up the desired audio source: your voice. This means you want a dynamic microphone. Condenser microphones might sound better, but they are too … [Read more...] about Best Vocal Microphone For Live Performance
Best Microphone For Singing At Home (And Recording Vocals)
Two types of singers need a microphone for home use: those who want to record a few tracks for fun and those who want professional level recordings. If you just want a mic to play around with and you don't want to spend too much, you might want to check out the best USB mics for singing, instead. They cost a lot less, don't require additional equipment and are much easier to … [Read more...] about Best Microphone For Singing At Home (And Recording Vocals)