What do you do to inspire a vocalist's performance?

[Nate74]

I am working with a new singer in my home studio and after our first night of vocals, I wasn't impressed at all with his performance. His tonality is fine, as is his pitch and general intonation, but the performance lacked energy.

I've seen this guy live and the difference is night and day.

After the first couple takes I began trying my usual "tricks" to bring hime out of his shell: I tried changing the mood in the room with more light, I offered him a beer, jacked up his headphone level, and tried a more upbeat song. But all 6 of the songs we did last night sounded like he was half asleep.

So what else do you guys try when you find yourselves in this situation? I'm willing to try just about anything (short of drugs and hookers I guess).

Thanks.

 

[Mindset]

you tried nearly everything I usually try, except that I offer him/her coccaine, weed, extasy along with the beer If all else fails like that, than it just takes time. I have a performance today (well my 2 newest artists who never performed in their lives). I made them just do it over and over and over again until it was right. My first artists, I made him stand there in the booth literally for 3 hours straight, no break (except for a sip of water) until he got it right. Later during his career, it became in and out. I have a punching bag, and a metal chair in my booth. I use them whenever I can't get it right. Slamming stuff around lol

 

[Nate74]

Wow, you run a tight ship! In this particular instance, it wasn't necassarily that he was "getting it wrong" it was more that he was just going through the motions. Being a hard-ass certainly crossed my mind but I got the sense from this particular singer that I couldn't strong-arm him into inspiration.

I wondered about nerves, since he has lots of guitar recording experience but limited vocal recording experience... I'm hopeful that our daytime session this weekend yields better results.

Any other thoughts bouncing around out there?

 

[nddhc]

Rather than turn up his headphone mix, turn the vocals slightly lower in it.

He wont hear himself as loud and might start singing with a little more energy than normal

 

[Nate74]

Rather than turn up his headphone mix, turn the vocals slightly lower in it.

He wont hear himself as loud and might start singing with a little more energy than normal

I can see how this could work. I'm halfway prepared for him to just ask to be turned up in the mix, but it's certainly worth a try. Thanks!

 

[oDD]

try adding a little reverb to the headphone mix to sweeten it up some. this may help give the vocalist more confidence in his/her voice which may help give you a better performance. a lot of times hearing your own, raw, voice can be distracting.

 

[Nate74]

try adding a little reverb to the headphone mix to sweeten it up some. this may help give the vocalist more confidence in his/her voice which may help give you a better performance. a lot of times hearing your own, raw, voice can be distracting.

I had a spot of reverb in there, but maybe a bit more would be something worth trying. I was getting now input from him really so I'm open to trying anything...

 

[Ironklad Audio]

honestly, i don't do shit, unless i'm wearing the producer hat and getting credit as such

if someone wants to put out some shitty, uninspired vocals...go for it. it's your band, not mine.

 

[chessrock]

I always have the SNL "cowbell" skit cued up, and I'll usually play it at some point.

Then I'll try and give him/her some bullshit speach about how he/she needs to "sing the hell out of" this song, etc. Usually breaks some tension and helps people relax.

.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I've seen this guy live and the difference is night and day.

I know a lot of performers who are great live but freeze up in the studio. If they wanna sing live, then let them sing live; let him bring in 3 or 4 friends to take his mind off of the fact that he's in front of the recorder and to give him an audience to sing to.

BUT, they have to understand why they're there, and that they're not there to f**k around. They can party elsewhere afterwards, and the quicker they help SingerBoy can a good take by being quiet and keeping their bidoly fluids inside their bodies and away from the recording gear, the quicker they can get out of there and celebrate.

G.

 

[Nate74]

I know a lot of performers who are great live but freeze up in the studio. If they wanna sing live, then let them sing live; let him bring in 3 or 4 friends to take his mind off of the fact that he's in front of the recorder and to give him an audience to sing to.
G.

I actually discouraged him from bringing other band members/his annoying wife, but now maybe that's something to explore as well. My setup isn't the best for that as the area where I do vocals is quite small and there's no way to see into it from my control room. But maybe just knowing they're there in the control room would help...

As to Ironklad Audio's point: While I might be inclined to agree in a professional studio environment, since this is just my home studio that I run as more of a hobby, helping out friends, etc. I'm dealing with guys I know, and have gigged with so I feel like I want to help them, and as you said, wear the producer hat (which they've told me I will be credited for on their CD).

 

[Flangerhans]

Charging for your time and equipment motivates lackluster performers very nicely. "How much are you paying to croon listlessly?" Also helps to play back their work and ask them how they would improve it.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I actually discouraged him from bringing other band members/his annoying wife, but now maybe that's something to explore as well.

Yeah, I usually dislike and try to discourage any non-essential personel in the studio myself. But in the few cases where it might actually be beneficial to the session I'll not only make exception, but I'll suggest it. The idea is to put the performer at ease and to distract him/her from their surroundings. In which case, I'd actually stick the extras in the live room and not in the CR - as long as they undertand that the Big Red Light means something other than "prostitute on duty".

Another thing to consider is that some live performers don't like recording because they actually don't like the sound of their own recorded voice. Don't be afraid to ask them about that and suggest that you can give them an instrument-only mix.

G.

 

[StackableMusic]

Another thing to consider is that some live performers don't like recording because they actually don't like the sound of their own recorded voice. Don't be afraid to ask them about that and suggest that you can give them an instrument-only mix.

G.

Only problem with that is, a lot of times people sing out of tune when they only hear their voice through the inside of their heads. In my experience anyways.

One thing I've tried to get a more lively performance is to move the microphone away from the performer physically. "Okay, I want to get a nice room sound on this one. But you're going to have to sing really loud."

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Only problem with that is, a lot of times people sing out of tune when they only hear their voice through the inside of their heads. In my experience anyways.

True. In which case he'd give that answer when asked the question I suggested in the last post: "Don't be afraid to ask them about that."

G.

 

[engine joe]

peace pipe.

 

[Nate74]

"Don't be afraid to ask them about that."

G.

Good point. This guy is too good a musician not to hear what I'm hearing in the performances.

I chatted with him a bit last night and he seemed open to trying the tracks again, maybe with a different "vibe." He confessed that his head was "elsewhere' the night we did the first session... wish he'd told me before we spent 3 hours on it...

 

[mikeh]

I feel your pain - I use several different vocalists when recording songwriting demos and trying to get inspired performances can be a big challenge.

I have several things I do -different things work at different times.

1. I spend a few minutes at the start of the session, talking with the vocalist about light" non musical things to get them "relaxed.

2. I offer an option of normal "white" lighting or mood lighting (my studio is purple - so I use a lot of red & blue lighting) - Note: I find most vocalists like the lighting lower, in particular people who are used to stage lighting).

3. I take plenty of time to explain the recording process, make sure they understand what controls they have in the vocal booth (headphone volume, etc). I make sure they understand how I will communicate from the control room, etc. - In essence, make sure they are comfortable in the booth.

Note: If needed, I can close the curtains on the window in the vocal booth (some singers feel to much on display).

4. I make sure they have water, tea, etc (I don't allow booze in the studio) - I've seen waaaaay too many drinks/beers spilled in studios), a stool to sit on between takes and whatever other things may make them feel relaxed (I have a couple of tapestries on the walls in booth to set a more relaxed, intimate vibe).

5. I have them sing the song a couple of times to "warm up" - naturally I do record, I just don't let them know. Sometimes, that sing better when they don't know they are being recorded.

6. I always provide positive reinforcement (that take was reaaly good - now let's try again and give me so "attitude"), etc. Never, offer negative comments.

7. I normally find if people who are not used to recording, they get gun shy if the voice is up in the phones too much - so I normally keep the vocals low in the phones (unless the singer insists on more) - this tend to get them to sing a little louder (often with more energy).

8. I try to record a few takes before I do a play back - this way I have something to compare ("do you hear how your articulation is so much better on the 3rd take, etc)

9. More than anything - provide positive comments with subtle suggestions how the next take can be even better.

10. Lastly, know when enough is enough. Sometimes, it's better to walk away and fight another day.

 

[Mixxit12]

This is sort of a risky technique but if he's way better in a live setting, then give him an SM58, held in his hand not on a stand, and give it a try that way. Sometimes when a performer feels bolted to one spot on the floor, the don't feel as expressive when they sing.

The obvious downside to this is it can become a dynamics nightmare if his distance from the mic varies too much. Plus you're stuck with a specific mic.

Might be worth a try though. Many of the other suggestions are good too.

 

[HangDawg]

I feel your pain - I use several different vocalists when recording songwriting demos and trying to get inspired performances can be a big challenge.

I have several things I do -different things work at different times.

1. I spend a few minutes at the start of the session, talking with the vocalist about light" non musical things to get them "relaxed.

2. I offer an option of normal "white" lighting or mood lighting (my studio is purple - so I use a lot of red & blue lighting) - Note: I find most vocalists like the lighting lower, in particular people who are used to stage lighting).

3. I take plenty of time to explain the recording process, make sure they understand what controls they have in the vocal booth (headphone volume, etc). I make sure they understand how I will communicate from the control room, etc. - In essence, make sure they are comfortable in the booth.

Note: If needed, I can close the curtains on the window in the vocal booth (some singers feel to much on display).

4. I make sure they have water, tea, etc (I don't allow booze in the studio) - I've seen waaaaay too many drinks/beers spilled in studios), a stool to sit on between takes and whatever other things may make them feel relaxed (I have a couple of tapestries on the walls in booth to set a more relaxed, intimate vibe).

5. I have them sing the song a couple of times to "warm up" - naturally I do record, I just don't let them know. Sometimes, that sing better when they don't know they are being recorded.

6. I always provide positive reinforcement (that take was reaaly good - now let's try again and give me so "attitude"), etc. Never, offer negative comments.

7. I normally find if people who are not used to recording, they get gun shy if the voice is up in the phones too much - so I normally keep the vocals low in the phones (unless the singer insists on more) - this tend to get them to sing a little louder (often with more energy).

8. I try to record a few takes before I do a play back - this way I have something to compare ("do you hear how your articulation is so much better on the 3rd take, etc)

9. More than anything - provide positive comments with subtle suggestions how the next take can be even better.

10. Lastly, know when enough is enough. Sometimes, it's better to walk away and fight another day.

Do you wipe their ass for them as well. Screw all that shit. No negative comments my ass. If they are sucking and I know they can do better, I tell them exactly that. Everyone who comes to me knows this up front. I am not going to lie to them to help their feelings. If they don't like it, they can leave. I have a pretty good track record of getting good performances out of people so I guess whatever works.