How Far Away From a Condenser Mic Do You Typically Sing?

[Robertt8]

How close are you supposed to sing into these things?

I think I found out why some of my recordings were coming out kinda harsh. I was singing as close as possible (with a windscreen by the way), so it was only a couple inches. I was always told to get as close as possible.

Screwing around last night, I got a much smoother sound by backing up like 8 inches. Was I wrong to sing that close?

by the way it was a Studio Projects C1.

 

[Gidge]

Im usually 6-12 inches away, but Im the last person that should give advice on how to cut a vocal....i guess it depends on the sound you are going for......i guess you could get away with a few inches away, but not if you are belting it out......

 

[Robertt8]

I actually tend to write music the has a blend of softer in some sections while I tend to belt out others. I usually try to pull my head back a bit during those sections. Maybe I'm just finding the sweet spot for my voice.

 

[MarkoPolo]

I agree with Gidge, 6 to 12 is about where I usually put the singers in my studio, and it really does depend on the style of songer, its also good to sing with the mic just a little up from mouth level so that you use the right muscles and technech.
excuse the spelling.

 

[Middleman]

Exactly 9 inches. 8 inches is too close. 10 inches is too far.

Ok really? It depends on the voice. If you get an air pusher then 12 inches may not be enough. If you get a timid voice or just weak sounding 3 inches with a pop filter may have to do.

Most of the time I strech out my hand, stick my thumb on my nose and my pinky on the mic, put a pop filter at about 3 inches and let er rip. This is for my voice. Others will vary. This is on my NTK.

The C1, when I had one, worked really well for the 6 inch intimate thing when you sing softly. I was getting too much room noise at 12 inches so your 8 inches sounds about right for that mic.

 

[powderfinger]

about 8 inches......4 from the pop filter, which is about 4 from the mic

 

[Robertt8]

Cool, thanks people! I guess that I eventually stumbled upon that. I was kind of wondering if it was a fluke, but it sounds like it's what I should have been doing all along...so much to learn...so much to learn.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Mic technique, including distancing, varies *a lot* depending on the material, the voice, the room, and the signal chain/gain structure. I have tracked keeper tracks ranging from 10-12" right up to 2". Generally, I would only get closer than 2" when I'm using proximity as an accent effect on one word or phrase. What the people above have said - 8-10" with most condensers, a little closer , say 6"-8" with most dynamics, would be a general rule of thumb. In a live situation, where gain is reduced to cut feedback, it's usually a lot closer.-Richie

 

[mixmkr]

How close are you supposed to sing into these things?

I think I found out why some of my recordings were coming out kinda harsh. I was singing as close as possible (with a windscreen by the way), so it was only a couple inches. I was always told to get as close as possible.

Screwing around last night, I got a much smoother sound by backing up like 8 inches. Was I wrong to sing that close?

by the way it was a Studio Projects C1.

I think the answers and solutions are already coming to you. By experimenting with different vocal levels, distances, people...blah, blah... you'll notice the differences in each case, and hopefully the "next" time make the right choice first. I think the only thing you "might" do "wrong" is swing it around, ala Roger Daltry style...otherwise...if you can afford, then I'd say that might be ok then too!

Nothing like good 'ole experience...eh? Way to try things out... I'd keep doing that for the next 20 years or so...BUT, only if you have the time and are serious about it now!!! No laziness!! Must be committed!!