One of the most important pieces of any production is also the hardest to get right: the vocals. There are so many intricacies, and different ways of figuring out how to handle your vocals. But, that means there are ways to commit errors as well. We teamed up with Passion Froot for a short guide to getting your vocals fine-tuned to perfection. Passion Froot is a production and DJ trio of British, Italian and French heritage based in London, and just released an energetic house tune titled “Room 4 One More”. Take your vocals to the next level with these eight tips! While you’re reading, check out “Room 4 One More”.

DO’S:

1. Try and record everything that goes through your head when you are jamming. You might not use it all, but sometimes the magic is in the thing you least expect. i.e. a breath, a random word you say in between takes etc…
2. Make sure your headphones don’t bleed into the mic – it can create feedback and noise that will make it very hard to mix your vocal take.
3. If indeed you are using vocal samples, do make sure you know where they come from to avoid unexpected and unnecessary legal issues. You definitely don’t want to have a legal battle on your hands further down the line if your track blows up.
4. Vocals have a huge part to play in your track so give them space and clarity, and make sure the dry vocal is the best that it can be – keep recording until you’re happy the result.

DON’TS:

1. Don’t delete the guide vocal you recorded the night before, thinking you will record it “properly” again tomorrow. That vibe you had then might not be the same again the next day, and once you’ve deleted it, it’s gone forever.
2. Whilst it’s true that you don’t need to have a room full of expensive gear to record a great record, don’t record vocals with a rubbish mic. It’s worth investing in a decent bit of kit otherwise you will not get the result you’re looking for.
3. If the first take is not perfect, don’t settle until it’s right – and don’t forget not to record in a room with too much reverb (you can add this later)
4. Finally – the most important rule: don’t try and sound like Michael Jackson. You never will. Lol.

About Thursday Thoughts:

At Dance Rebels, we strive to bring our readers as close to their favorite artists as possible. One of the best ways to make that connection is to discuss a wide range of topics with the biggest names in the dance music scene. If there is an artist that you think we need to talk to, reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter!