This week we would be doing vocals. We had a choice of three Microphones –  AKG 414 (Dynamic), Electro Voice RE-20 (Dynamic), SM57 (Dynamic). On the 414 we put a cardioid polar pattern and we put a bass roll off on about 160 Hz, on the RE-20 we used a low shelf switch, and there were no changes on the SM57. The use of a pop shield means that you can get closer to the mic, there will be more bass in the sound doing this but it will sound more intimate and therefore when the listener listens to it they will feel more involved in the song.

Mic positioning is essential for getting a nice sound that suits both the vocalist and the song; depending on how the singer sings you might want to put the microphone off axis. Doing this will help with all the Plosives (B’s and P’s) and Fractives (F’s and Q’s).

After hearing how all three microphones, we decided to record vocals using the Electro Voice RE-20.