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Does anyone else feel silly while recording vocals?

Alstroph	Date: August 3, 2006 @ 10:29 PM I definitely do. If someone else is in the house I make sure to sing extra quiet so they can't hear me... and that usually messes up the song. I find that I sing best with a band playing really loud... then I feel like it doesn't matter how loud I sing .
hate9wicket	Date: August 3, 2006 @ 10:48 PM Yeah...I have to record when I am absolutely certain no one else is home...too many times I'll be in front of the mic, and hear the fridge opening up through the headphones, when that happens, I usually drop the phones to the floor and leave the room so I refrain from screaming. I'd set up in a different room, but the breakfast nook has the best acoustics in the house.
imemine	Date: August 3, 2006 @ 10:55 PM Only when I try to sing.
imemine	Date: August 3, 2006 @ 10:57 PM Oh yea-----and when I sing duets with clowns! Then I really feel silly.
K3VIN	Date: August 3, 2006 @ 11:00 PM i like to be anloe jsut cause i can do w/e.. my parents dont care though..
TameasDust	Date: August 3, 2006 @ 11:00 PM I sing all the time ... good thing wildas in on headphones most of the time
Jennae	Date: August 3, 2006 @ 11:02 PM yeah I have often had people comment on when they hear me trackin that they are like WTF when they can't really hear whats goin on but after they hear the whole mix it makes sense to them I think you cant help but to feel a little stupid when you are recording if someone else is around not having a clue to what you are doing...
evansorchid	Date: August 3, 2006 @ 11:20 PM I also try to record vocals when I'm alone. I dim all the lights, and bring the lyrics up on my monitor in a large font like a teleprompter, then I hold the mic with my left hand and hold the mouse with my right as I scroll through the lyrics.
Alstroph	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 12:01 AM I used to hold the mic while I recorded vocals... then I found an amazing invention called a microphone stand about 2 months ago. I was amazed at how much they helped. I'd recorded for years without one before...
GeneHilbert	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 12:12 AM No.... I just do it.... Mic stands; very important for maintaining good posture for projection and proper distance from mic. Also, a pop filter - 3 to 6 inches from mic. It can be adjusted so you can read the lead sheet if necessary... You will be amazed how much better your projection, tone and pitch will be recording vocals while standing utilizing a stand.
tsand19151	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 1:50 AM Even Hendrix used to stand behind a partition while laying down vocal tracks, it is reported......
leedsquietman	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 8:45 AM Well in fairness, although Jimi was an amazing guitarist and wrote interesting songs, his vocals are not exactly known for their clarity and range. But the guitars and Mitch Mitchell drumming up a storm, oh yeah baby !!
Rikki27	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 8:46 AM its why i usually do the guitar and vocals on the same recording lol
leedsquietman	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 8:48 AM Well in fairness, although Jimi was an amazing guitarist and wrote interesting songs, his vocals are not exactly known for their clarity and range. But the guitars and Mitch Mitchell drumming up a storm, oh yeah baby !!
leedsquietman	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 8:49 AM sorry, having computer issues again, stupid windows xp, I swear when I get some more money, Mac is going to get a serious consideration...
kingo	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 8:59 AM I hate when windows XP double posts for me. I get self-conscious about tracking vocals sometimes. It's especially weird when layering parts. One time I came up from my cave and my wife asked, "Were you just screaming 'maybe my potroast is out' for two hours? Because that's what it sounded like to me." "Of course not, don't be silly. I'd never say anything idiotic like that. Jeez."
Opossum	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 1:03 PM Not WHILE no, only afterwards.
victorsskull	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 1:42 PM
jewsus	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 2:15 PM i usually wait until everyone has left my apartment. otherwise i get knocks on the door from concerned neighbors thinking they live next to a serial rapist.
moam	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 3:05 PM @ kingo
GeneHilbert	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 3:50 PM 'maybe my potroast is out' 'maybe my potroast is out' 'maybe my potroast is out' 'maybe my potroast is out' 'maybe my potroast is out' 'maybe my potroast is out' 'maybe my potroast is out' LOL
tsand19151	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 4:28 PM you're right, Leeds...Jimi would be the first to tell you he couldn't sing....which I why he hid, I guess......
GeneHilbert	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 5:40 PM Hell.... I always liked his vocals..... and I’m a picky bastard. He was a Hell of a lot better than most that call themselves vocalist.
tsand19151	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 7:14 PM .....agreed.
evansorchid	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 7:26 PM :think:....Hmmmmmm..... Couldn't we put that in a catchy chorus???" id="238664">"Maybe my potroast is out" ....Hmmmmmm..... Couldn't we put that in a catchy chorus???
kingo	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 7:41 PM I wasn't making that lyric up on the spot, it's a real lyric. And if written out it'd look like what Gene wrote, times about... 27. So it's already in a chorus. And a verse. And a chorus. And a verse. I don't know how catchy, though.
leedsquietman	Date: August 4, 2006 @ 11:04 PM Agree with you TS, but I wouldn't have it any other way - most of the big rock groups (Jimi, Rolling Stones, Van Halen etc) don't have the best technical singers, but those singers have bags of personality and the package of the music, the lyrics and the vocals combined, let's just face it, they ROCK !! In Jimi's case, the vocals just add a bit of glue to hold down the amazing virtuoso music.
zedsalt	Date: August 5, 2006 @ 11:00 AM If I don't feel at least a little silly while vocalizing, I figure I'm not trying hard enough. Besides, everyone around here is getting pretty used to hearing single tracks being recorded that sound strange all by themselves.
MonkeyGirl	Date: August 6, 2006 @ 4:16 PM only when i "try" as opposed to just doing it... though i'd feeel a right tit doing it in front of people with headphones on and no guitar... hmmm... i remember laughing like a drain listening to my friend recording a solo drum track through headphones.. we could hear him going in and out of time and for some reason this was hysterical to my brother and I. We couldn't look at him for fear of giving away our amusement. the shaking shoulders did that though. ah the fun you can have erm... i hate listening back to solo vocal tracks though.. its dire.
MindSculpture	Date: August 6, 2006 @ 4:29 PM only when I am naked.
TonyV	Date: August 7, 2006 @ 12:26 PM For public speaking, they say to picture the crowd naked to ease your anxiety. It turns out that singing in front of a crowd is easier if you yourself are naked (and possibly intoxicated). 1. 2. 3. disclaimer Technique does not work for those individuals routinely preferring to be bare-assed.
ShadowMom	Date: August 7, 2006 @ 1:02 PM I feel silly all the time.
Israfel	Date: August 7, 2006 @ 1:05 PM ACK! Dry, solo vocal tracks! I hate, hate, hate them! And I always feel silly when recording...thats why I try to do it alone.
southwing	Date: August 7, 2006 @ 4:33 PM Yeah, Silly is a good word for it. Now, if you really want to feel silly AND embarrassed. Play a single vocal track at your next party. I think I'll play one of Bowillies, just to see what happens.
Intergalacti...	Date: August 8, 2006 @ 2:15 PM only whenj sober
pog	Date: August 9, 2006 @ 6:26 PM I just put a pillowcase over my head... it doubles as a pop filter.
TLK	Date: August 9, 2006 @ 6:35 PM Dude, I totally feel like an ass when I record. There can be no one, and I mean NO ONE, within a 678 mile radius of me while I make songs. If I think, hear, sense, or even smell someone near by, I immediately stop all production for a 5 minute minimum. I go out, check the surroundings, make sure the coast is clear, then I start again until I either finish or have to pause again. I hate this about meself. I can't even rap in front of close friends...It's gonna be hard for me to perform in the future.
hantu	Date: August 9, 2006 @ 6:48 PM wow! the winner of the summer battles 2006 even has problems... there's hope for all of us ... that have an ounce of talent of course.
maieli14	Date: August 9, 2006 @ 8:32 PM yeah i have trouble vocaling with people in the house.. but it used to be really bad like i had to lock my door and shut the window.
BOWILLIE	Date: August 9, 2006 @ 9:43 PM well kingo i could imagine her exspression during the poodle recordings
kingo	Date: August 10, 2006 @ 8:19 AM I made sure she was out of town for that one.
Intergalacti...	Date: August 11, 2006 @ 11:29 AM Last week i was recording vocals for the album and the guy who's recording me is my best friend... it was so embarrassing when i throat cracked
BOWILLIE	Date: August 12, 2006 @ 9:34 AM man..even in the mixing process..on single harmonie tracks is oh my god that truly sucks.. but as it gets added and grouped with other harmony tracks it tends to smooth out in final mix.. actually our newest was my first single vocal tried that i was brave enough to let get put on track..thats the way it is* and that was done kicking and screaming nearly..lol.and it wasnt too terrible so folks say..allthough they were probally just being polite
DeadraveN	Date: August 12, 2006 @ 1:33 PM nothing is worse than thinking you're alone, getting all into a track.. I mean really letting it go.. then turning around to see your friends have let themsleves in and are enjoying the show. er.. not that that has ever happened to me.. but this guy I know..
TLK	Date: August 12, 2006 @ 4:55 PM ^
imemine	Date: August 12, 2006 @ 5:11 PM To help everyone understand this, DeadraveN sings in the nude!
TruonGLe	Date: August 13, 2006 @ 1:24 AM ohh shit..... this reminds me of one time i was recordin and my dad walked in behind me. and i was pretty into the track too, then he hella poped up on my right, i almost jumped outta my seat. like WTF!?!!? WHERED U COME FROM?....then i couldnt record the whole day...pretty surprised
DeadraveN	Date: August 13, 2006 @ 3:02 AM dammit imemine! that's the last time I confide in you!
JamesThomson	Date: August 13, 2006 @ 5:42 AM is there any reason for your porno singing D.R.?
DeadraveN	Date: August 13, 2006 @ 4:15 PM i thought that's how everyone did it...?
imemine	Date: August 13, 2006 @ 5:26 PM
ThePulsE	Date: August 16, 2006 @ 7:02 PM The worst thing about singing is believing you can actually sing!!!
ThePulsE	Date: August 16, 2006 @ 7:04 PM The worst thing about singing is believing you can actually sing!!!
ThePulsE	Date: August 16, 2006 @ 7:06 PM I've developed a stutter, sorry ( probably a good reason I limit my singing!)
zedsalt	Date: August 17, 2006 @ 11:46 AM I feel pretty. Oh, so pretty.
perkie1973	Date: August 19, 2006 @ 3:48 PM ^^^^I feel silly and nervous around family and friends....My neighbors are use to the strange sounds coming from my house at all hours of the night...
billrhynes	Date: August 19, 2006 @ 5:50 PM I'd be honored to hear your voice comin from next door... I feel sorry for MY neighbors tho
hantu	Date: August 19, 2006 @ 8:48 PM "My neighbors are use to the strange sounds coming from my house at all hours of the night" We are talkign about singing here perkie This ain't THAT kinda site you know.
perkie1973	Date: August 21, 2006 @ 11:06 PM Meow
Rikki27	Date: August 24, 2006 @ 4:18 PM Actually, since i now record guitar then vocals, during a solo, it gives me time to dance to the beat of the music a bit. WHEEEEE!
pathendry88	Date: July 14, 2008 @ 9:08 AM i feel like a right prat when i record the vocals especially when it comes to the more growly singing parts with the head phones
Tattoomom	Date: July 14, 2008 @ 9:18 AM It's good to know that somebody else records vox in the buff.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Because I thought it was only Bill that did that....
miraclemaker	Date: July 16, 2008 @ 9:07 AM worst thing is to sing harmonies that are out of your vocal range with headphones on so you cant really hear how bad you sound
Snoogans775	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 8:29 AM i've changed my whole recording setup lately to make my singing sound less self conscious and reserved I just shove the mic into my crotch and sing at my junk.
zedsalt	Date: August 14, 2008 @ 3:32 AM I would have to think that the people that give me a hard time about singing while sitting down would take umbrage to your pose, but I say hey, whatever works for you. I heard this earlier this a.m.- "Why do we point at our wrists when asking what time it is, but we don't point to our crotches when asking for directions to the bathroom?"
Thaspian	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 4:07 PM Try getting rid of the headphones! with how close a lot of people are to the mic with loud cans, it leaks into the mic more than if you had a mic with good off axis rejection(like an re20 or 421 or sm7b or 5, and monitored on speakers a cool thing to try is monitoring with a mono mix and the speakers out of phase, in an equilateral triangle with your listening position. you'll be surprised just how little leakage there will be into the mic. now you can listen loud as you record, thus feel less silly. and when you feel less silly, you perform better.
Thaspian	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 4:07 PM gotta love how the preview button is actually the post button
Thaspian	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 4:08 PM if this post goes through that means my experiment has shown that the preview button serves as post, and post serves as post as well. If this post does not go through, it means post and preview are reversed. let's see what happens. hits post
Thaspian	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 4:08 PM aw son of a bitch
Distilled1	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 7:13 PM yay Thaspian isn't that nuts!!!
zedsalt	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 3:21 AM I feel pretty and witty and bright. And I pity any girl who isn't me tonight.
GeneHilbert	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 5:21 AM Preview sucks........
GeneHilbert	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 5:21 AM Preview sucks........
K3VIN	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 4:58 PM i perform in front of anyone now... mostly freestyling last night i had a party me and my friends killed it all night
Snoogans775	Date: August 17, 2008 @ 9:14 PM freestyling has gotta be the all-time sweetest method of dealing with showfright and other variations on self-consciousness. I like being the beatmaker, or assistant beatmaker though, as my beatboxing is not quite the standard of excellence. I can't freestyle worth crap though, but it's still worthwhile for anyone engage in a rhyme circle, because you can still get people's attention if you speak boring crap in a solid way.