Can't stop clearing throat while recording singing...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robertt8
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I have this problem all the time with the bands and singers that I record.
Many of them don't even realize it until I tell them about it.

Then, when I tell them that I have to edit out all of their coughs, throat-clearings, gurgles, sniffles, foot-shuffling, and stomach-growlings (at my regular studio rate, of course)... they all look at me like I'm some kind of 3-headed monster and deny that they made ANY noises that would show up in the recording.
Soooo, I just drop all the faders, except for the vocal track, and let them hear it for themselves.
So far, I haven't had ONE singer turn down the scrubbing (editing) of their vocal track.

Works every time! ;)
 
The water is obviously a good idea.

For coughing, typical cough drops (Halls, etc) are the WORST thing in the world to take. Medication is the AntiChrist to a person's throat.

If you need continued lubrication, lemon drops (the cheap store brand is fine) will do the trick.

If this is the only time (when singing) that you have a coughing problem, you should also consider that this is related to breathing technique.

Good luck :cool:

BM
 
Not sure if these would qualify as Anti-Christian cough drops, but I always keep a supply of lozenges called "Fisherman's Friend" on hand. Singers hipped me to them originally, and a lot of them swear by it.
 
Phlegm is caused by certain food you take. Avoid dairy products on a day when you're recording vocals. Certain spices (ginger , black pepper) can help too. This is the advice of Ayurveda and it really works.
 
I dunno...a shot of whiskey seems to do me just fine, thank you very much. If my vox are really shot (and in pain) a glass of milk actually makes them feel better.
 
Everyone whould do what works for them obviously, but in the context of the original question - milk and dairy products encourage mucus production, and in most cases should be avoided prior to singing.

Anesthetizing one's vocal chords with alcohol clearly can feel "good" in the short term, but in the long haul can result in more harm than good. Hence the term "whiskey voice". If sounding like Joe Cocker is your goal, cool. But if you ever want to sing "pretty"... well, ask your local voice therapist if you don't believe me. ;)
 
Here's an obvious answer that no one has discussed. Take private instrution to learn how to maximize the strength, endurance and flexibilty of your voice.

Is the music you are trying to sing out of your vocal range?
Are your headphones so loud that you are competing for volume?

Get a good nights sleep the night before, avoid milk products on the day you record your vocals, avoid alcohol and caffeine as they are natual diarhetics(sp?), and drink plenty of room temperature water. DON'T SMOKE!

Sing the track down, punch in where you need to, get over it!
Save the booze for the CD release party....

~Peace
 
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