AKARSH SHEKHAR
How To
Record Vocals
In Pro Tools
Want to make a career in music production? Becoming a Pro
Tools ninja is crucial. As a producer, there are a number of
really important factors that go into recording.
1. Environmental Factors
Allow the lighting to complement the mood of the song.
Drawing curtains so the artists can’t be seen, helps them feel
uninhibited by taking the eyes off them.
Keep the space relatively clean, offer water/tea to help relax
their voice and help artists feel supported.
2. Template
Have things ready to go, show up early and set up ahead of
time. People want to get in and get moving. Based on the
vocalist and style, see what chain will work and set it up.
Set up markers: Intro, Verse 1, Pre, Chorus 1, Verse 2, Pre,
Chorus 2, Bridge, Chorus 3 and Outro.
Once the files are in, get the tempo. Count out two bars, select
two bars, choose Identify Beat (command + I), start at bar 1,
end at bar 3 — bang, there’s your tempo!
Key can be trickier, but that’s why Mini Grand is already up.
Not every song is in a simple major or minor key, and not
every song stays in the same key the entire time, so keep an ear
open, particularly if you are recording through auto-tune.
3. Configure Pro Tools
In Pro Tools preferences, check off these few important boxes:
“Record Loop to New Playlist”: Artists will want to record
multiple passes and compile them together in one go. There
is a preference that automatically stores each record pass to a
playlist.
4. Presetting a Chain
Mic Shootouts are a thing of the past. Unfortunately, sessions
are really more about flow than about perfection. The priority
is enabling great performances, and great sound comes a close
second.
Research on the artist ahead of time. If you’re recording a
Jazz-influenced singer like Adele or Amy Winehouse, U47s
are a good pick. If you’re doing Hip-Hop, a very snappy mic
like C800-G is a failsafe. If you’re doing lush Pop, C12s are the
standard.
5. The Actual Recording Process
Do a headphone check, ensure all cue feeds are the way the
artist likes it. Some like loud tracks or loud vocals or loud fx,
some like loud everything (hence isolating headphones are
really important).
Some key commands make things much easier, like these
Function Keys.
• F1-F4 allow you to toggle between Slip, Shuffle, Grid, and
Spot mode which is super helpful if you are rearranging
instrumental tracks and vocal edits.
• F6-F8 and Command + 7 are your tool selections. This allows
you to go between Trim, Select, Grab, or the Smart Tool setting
respectively.
“Play Start Marker Follows Timeline Selection”. We go back
over phrases and record new takes, so the workflow is much
smoother if the play-head is returning to wherever the take
was originally cued from. Make sure “Timeline Insertion
Follows Playback” is unchecked as this function will defeat
that purpose. • F5 is the zoom tool. You can also use Command + [ ] to zoom.
Check the session itself. You can record 24-bit, 88.2 kHz if
you’re on a system that allows for higher sampling without
CPU issues. On Pro Tools, the editing features are easy to create composite
takes (or Comps). Just select your vocal track and click Control
+ Command + Right Arrow to display playlist view. Highlight
whatever you want to the main track by highlighting the
segment and Control + Option + V.
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• Quick Punch (Command + Shift + P) and Loop Record (Option
+ L). Always keep your play button in Loop mode and then
switch between Punch and Loop for recording.
6. Comping On The Fly