Making a Demo!

Many students here in the studio and on the Web keep after me to give them advice on making a demo recording of their voice. I have shied away from encouraging this too early because as you know, I think that while you are still working on the strength and quality of your vocal sound, a recording, if it's not perfect, could have the opposite effect of what you wanted. But, I am re-thinking that position. All my private students record their lessons with me, mainly so they don't forget my instructions to them about breathing and relaxing, etc., and because many of them are learning to read music as well, and they use the recordings as practice aids. So I've decided to go ahead and give you some tips on making a demo recording of your voice...with this one admonition! If you are one who has not yet conquered SIN #1, which is critically listening and harshly judging your own voice, then I do not recommend a demo at this time. I would give it a few more weeks with the exercises until you are automatically singing naturally and effortlessly, and then it would be time for you to make a demo. However, if you feel you are ready, depending on what you want to do with it, here are some tips to a good demo: Of course, when I say "making" a demo, I am assuming that you're going to be doing this yourself as opposed to going into a professional studio. If this is your first recording, I suggest doing it yourself and saving money. There'll be plenty of time and opportunity for a professional demo later on.

Use a 4-track recorder, if possible, if not, then a 2-track will do. Either an analog or a digital recorder is best. Do not use a Boom Box or Karaoke Machine! The reason for this is that a Karaoke Machine doesn't have enough equalizer settings to get the proper balance between your voice and the background music. If you're using a pre-recorded background tape for your accompaniment, much of the quality is lost when you record a recording. If you're using an instrument to accompany you, like a piano or a even a band, then a Karaoke Machine, even at the high end, may not capture all of the instrument's frequencies from low to high. A 4-track, on the other hand, will duplicate exactly what is recorded into it.

Use a decent microphone that is unidirectional. A multi-directional mike will pick up too much room noise.

Choose 3 or 4 songs that show YOU off, not the accompaniment. In other words, don't "overproduce" your recording with too much instrumentation or special effects like reverb, echo, or delay. And put your very best song on the tape first!

Choose a time of day to record when you are refreshed, rested, and above all, either alone or with someone you totally trust. Turn off the phone and close your windows. (To get a good professional-like sound from a home recording, the bathroom is the best room in the house to do it.)

Warm up! Use the drills in Volume One to relax and "lubricate" your body. Make sure you haven't eaten a big meal or drank anything but room temperature water before beginning.

Record the accompaniment first on a single track at medium volume. If your settings show that you're entering the "red" zone, or the needle on your machine goes above the mid-point, turn the volume down slightly. You'll be able to adjust the volume when you mix the tracks to get a perfect balance.

If you're using a 4-track recorder, and you wish to add a second vocal line, like a harmony part, then I suggest recording the accompaniment in Track One, and the first vocal part on Track Two. Then, without mixing those two tracks, record your additional vocal on track 4, not 3. The reason for this is that on most machines tracks 2 and 4 share an output, as do tracks 1 and 3.

Mixing it. DO NOT MIX IT IN THE SAME SESSION AS THE RECORDING ITSELF. The luxury of doing a home demo is that you can take as much time as you need to perfect it, and after what could be hours of recording, your ears are just too tired to do the mix. Come back to do the mix later after you've rested a bit.

That's it! There's more on demo-making in Volume Four of "A Voice For a Lifetime in 30 Days, Vol. IV", but I've given you the gist here.

Say! If you wish, send us your demo when you're done, and we will evaluate it for you. There is no charge except that we do ask that you provide us with a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage for returning our comments to you.

Good Luck with your demos.