Hip Hop Forum

What you think Killah?

My recording process is basically this...
(see rec1.jpg & rec2.jpg at bottom of this post for illustration)

1. Instrumental MP3 goes into Track 1.
2. I record my vocals in "WAV mono, 44.1 kHz, 24 bits per sample"
(you could record in "stereo" but it's just wasting space - either works fine, though). --- If you don't know how to set this, don't worry about it for now.
3. When you record, make sure as you rap, that the vocals do not "CLIP" -- meaning, they should be in between the top and bottom of the WAV block. They should not be so loud that the spikes go into the "red". (see rec2.jpg)
4. After I record (lets say) a verse... I will go record the same verse again, over-top of the first verse. In a different "track" -- These are called "over-dubs."
(make sure all your over-dubs match with the original vocals, you do not want it to sound like there is two of you on the track --- do them until you get them right)

(see rec2.jpg)
5. Then I edit each individual "WAV BLOCK" of vocals, I highlight any "dead air" before and after the vocals and "silence" it.
(this ensures that your vocals will be crisp)
6. Then I highlight the entire WAV block and do "Amplitude" then "Dynamics Processing" -- use the 4:1 fast attack preset.
(this will make all your vocals sound normalized, not too loud or soft).
7. Then it's time to "MIX" it. Take off your headphones and turn on your speakers. Always mix in speakers.

(see rec1.jpg)
8. Make sure your vocals blend nicely with the instrumental. Generally, you will have to raise your vocals up anywhere from 4.0 to 9.0. It really depends on the beat.
(look at my JPG on the left side to see where the volume is raised up)
9. Once you get a nice sounding mix, then just simply "Save Mixdown As..." -- save it as an mp3.



REC1.jpg - http://images2.dmusic.com/users/d/z/k/dzk/58372.jpg
REC2.jpg - http://images2.dmusic.com/users/d/z/k/dzk/58373.jpg


--
Recording equipment
--
Mic: Shure KSM32
Mixer: Phonic MM1002
Soundcard: Soundblaster X-FI
Headphones: Sony MDR-7506
Speakers: Alesis M1 Active (2 of them) / also 2 Labtec computer speakers/subwoofer

Keyboard (for beats, lol): Yamaha Motif-6

I record with Cooledit Pro 2.0

pretty basic process, it works well if you have a good soundcard and mic, i typically run a few filters cause my quality ain't the greatest (don't overuse filters or you'll get a robotic sound)

he didn't go too in depth with it, his choruses are more than 2 layers, and he didn't explain how he does his adlibs, but those aren't really that necessary for new rappers