FAQs: Vocal Recording for Music (Rap/Singing)

‘Music vocals’ refers to both singing and rap vocals - oftentimes a song will have both, and these are recorded in exactly the same way.

#Do you have Auto-Tune?

Yes, we have the very latest version of Antares Auto-Tune Pro X.

#Do I have to record with Auto-Tune?

No, this is always your choice. We can advise you on the best approach to help you get the most out of your session. Auto-Tune can be applied after a recording is done, if desired and/or required.

[Some genres, for example Melodic Rap - also know as Auto-Tune Hip Hop, Hyperpop and Contemporary R&B, deliberately incorporate Auto-Tune’s creative characteristics into the vocal performance to achieve a stylised sound. In these instances, it can be beneficial to record with Auto-Tune live in real-time.]

#How long does it take to record vocals for 1 song?

There are many variables to consider that affect recording time, for example: how well rehearsed you are, how many layers of vocals you are recording, previous experience i.e. how comfortable you are in the booth, how long your song is, and how quickly you warm up into it - to name a few.

Engineer set-up may take <20 minutes to prepare the computer session and adjust the gear to get a great sound for your unique voice, file prep and exports may take a further <10 minutes at the end of your session, so please factor this in when calculating session length.

A rough average may be 1 to 2 hours per rap song, and 2 to 4 hours per singing song.

#How many hours do I need?

Sustained use of the voice, even when practised daily, can be fatiguing. We find that for the vast majority of people, 4 hours vocal recording is the maximum they can do in one stint before vocal fatigue sets in and begins to affect the quality of the performance. For this reason we recommend no more than 4 hours for your first session. For groups who are sharing the recording time, or seasoned professionals, you may want to book a longer session.