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When it comes to recording vocals, many singers and producers default to the classic condenser mic. But what if you could give your vocals a unique twist, something that makes them stand out?
The answer lies in using unconventional microphones. These aren’t your everyday studio staples, but they can add a distinctive character to your recordings that’s hard to replicate.
1. Lavalier microphones
Lavalier microphones, often called lapel mics, are tiny clip-on microphones typically used for film and TV productions. They’re not usually the first choice for recording vocals, but don’t underestimate them.
Their close placement to the mouth can capture an intimate and direct sound that’s hard to achieve with other mics. This proximity effect can add warmth and presence to your vocals, making them sound more immediate and personal.
Another benefit of lavalier mics is their portability. You can use them in unconventional recording environments where a larger microphone setup might be impractical. Want to record vocals in a car, a closet, or even outdoors? A lavalier mic can easily go where larger mics can’t, capturing the unique acoustics of these spaces.
While they might not replace your main vocal mic, lavalier microphones can add an interesting texture to your recordings that’s worth exploring. They’re also relatively inexpensive, making them a great addition to your mic collection without breaking the bank.
In a recent session I discovered how great these mics can be for acoustic guitar. Simply tape it under the strings by the bridge of the guitar and you’ll get an unreal clarity. It blends beautifully with a microphone placed at the 12th fret.
2. Parabolic microphones
Parabolic microphones are usually associated with sports broadcasts and nature recordings, thanks to their ability to capture distant sounds clearly. These mics use a parabolic dish to focus sound waves onto a central microphone, making them incredibly directional. While they’re not common in music production, using a parabolic mic can give your vocals an ethereal, almost otherworldly quality.
Imagine capturing a vocal performance with a parabolic mic from a distance. The result is a sound that feels detached yet focused, almost like the vocals are floating above the track. This technique can be particularly effective for creating atmospheric effects in genres like ambient, experimental, or even certain styles of electronic music.
Using a parabolic microphone can also add a sense of space and depth to your recordings. Because they’re designed to pick up sound from a distance, they naturally capture more of the environment’s ambience. This can be useful if you’re recording in a space with interesting acoustics, such as a large hall or a natural outdoor setting.
3. Ribbon microphones
Ribbon microphones have a reputation for their smooth, vintage sound. Unlike most dynamic or condenser mics, ribbon mics use a thin strip of metal (the ribbon) suspended in a magnetic field to capture sound. This design gives ribbon mics their characteristic warm, natural tone, which can add a rich, classic quality to vocals.
One of the standout features of ribbon mics is their ability to capture high frequencies in a way that’s soft and rounded, rather than harsh or brittle. This makes them ideal for taming sibilance and harshness in vocal recordings.
If you’re going for a retro vibe or just want a vocal sound that’s a bit different from the crispness of a condenser mic, a ribbon microphone could be the perfect choice.
Ribbon microphones are also known for their figure-eight pickup pattern, which captures sound equally from the front and back while rejecting sound from the sides. This can be useful for capturing room sound or creating a more natural, open vocal recording. If you position the mic carefully, you can blend the direct vocal sound with the room’s ambience, adding depth and dimension to your recordings.
4. Contact microphones
Contact microphones, also known as piezoelectric mics, work differently from most microphones. Instead of capturing sound through air vibrations, they pick up vibrations directly from surfaces. These mics are often used to record instruments like violins or guitars, but they can be a game-changer for vocal recordings when used creatively.
By attaching a contact mic to a resonant surface, like a wooden box or even a human throat, you can capture vibrations that add a raw, tactile quality to your recordings. The sound is almost like you’re hearing the voice from inside the body or through another material, creating an intimate, almost eerie effect.
This technique can be perfect for experimental genres, adding a layer of organic texture to your vocals that’s impossible to achieve with traditional mics.
For example, you could attach a contact mic to a drum or a piece of metal and have the vocalist sing into it, blending the voice with the resonant characteristics of the surface. The possibilities are endless and can lead to truly unique and unconventional vocal recordings.
5. Dynamic microphones used for unusual purposes
Dynamic microphones are typically robust and versatile, often used for live sound or recording loud sources like drums and guitar amps. However, using them for unusual purposes can yield surprising results. For example, try using a dynamic mic typically reserved for drums, like the Shure SM57, on vocals. The result is a raw, gritty sound that’s full of character.
Bono from U2 famously uses an SM58 in the studio. It enables him to record live with the band in a way that a condenser mic would be too sensitive for.Dynamic mics are less sensitive than condensers, so they naturally compress loud sounds, adding a punchy, in-your-face quality to the vocals.
This can be perfect for genres like rock, punk, or hip-hop, where you want the vocals to have an aggressive edge. Additionally, dynamic mics tend to handle high sound pressure levels without distorting, making them ideal for capturing intense vocal performances.
Experimenting with dynamic mics in unconventional ways can lead to discovering a unique vocal sound that sets your tracks apart. For example, you might use a dynamic mic to capture vocals in a noisy environment where a more sensitive condenser mic would pick up too much background noise. This can result in a vocal take that feels more authentic and raw, perfectly suited to certain musical styles.
Add distinctive flair to your vocals with these unique mics
Exploring unconventional microphones can open up a world of possibilities for your vocal recordings. Whether you’re looking for intimacy, atmosphere, warmth, texture, or raw power, there’s a mic out there that can help you achieve it.
By stepping outside the box and experimenting with these lesser-used tools, you can find new ways to express your creativity and bring fresh character to your music.
