Singing for recording - process alters the result (bad)

[boatdreams]

OK, so I don't really consider myself a singer. Luckily, I play/write indie/alternative music and that is a genre where pitch perfection isn't required. In fact, having an unusual voice is highly valued. In my later years I've learned my range a lot better and try to write melodies I can pull off consistently. Bottom line is I can sing these songs well enough (read: on pitch) when performing them live.

I've recently learned how to use GarageBand on the iPad and I've been composing full songs (guitars, bass, drums, keys, cello, trumpet, etc.). When it comes to recording vocals I've found that the process or setup for recording creates such an unnatural environment that I just can't figure out how to sing the way I do playing live. Some songs I've recorded on pitch, but others I really struggle with. I know the difference is not just in my head because I tried an experiment where I just recorded myself playing the song live, playing guitar and singing at the same time, and it sounded perfect (all things relative).

The differences between live performance and recording are:

- holding and playing a guitar: not sure if I just find it easier to harmonize with the live guitar notes (like they "magnetize" my voice to the right pitch or something)

- maybe some nervousness: you always feel a little more pressure to get it right when the tape is rolling, and in live performance there is just a natural energy that helps you push a little harder from your diaphragm

- headphones: this might be a big one. I don't have nice headphones and can't really afford them right now. But the issue is even if you hear your voice in the monitor, you can't really eliminate the humming sound of your voice reverberating through your skull (plug your ears and start talking to get what I mean). I feel like that really throws me off. How do you deal with that?

Does anyone have any tips on how to get acclimated to the recording environment enough to produce a result consistent with live performance?

 

[ido1957]

There's no secret to it - The answer is practice practice practice...

 

[Armistice]

There's no secret to it - The answer is practice practice practice...

^^^^ This.

Learn, or be hamstrung by your lack of skill. If you can sing with a guitar, you can sing without a guitar, the problem's in your head, and can be overcome with practice.

Don't be one of these "I can only sing with a guitar" nancies who spends all their time trying to optmise substandard bleed-heavy recordings instead of learning the skills to do good recordings. (I have no problems with people using this method deliberately, just with people who use it because it's all they can do... there's a difference

Anyone here will tell you that they've faced multiple "I don't think I can do it" challenges on their way to learning to record. This is one. There will be others...

And don't over-analyse it.

Good luck!

 

[Track Rat]

There's no secret or shortcuts. As with any skill, you have to do it a LOT in order to get comfortable with it.