To record ONLY vocals at home...

[FlaxAttacks]

From what I've learned in the past couple days here, the best "bang for your buck" setup to record ONLY vocals at home, with high quality, is...

Having a microphone stand / pop filter and probably a Shure SM57 microphone.

Having an XLR cable to connect it to some sort of pre-amp, which is then connected to your computer.

And there's a good amount of free recording software on the internet.

Am I missing anything?

[String7th]

Originally Posted by FlaxAttacks

Having an XLR cable to connect it to some sort of pre-amp, which is then connected to your computer.

This in called the interface, which will have a built in preamp for the mic, and connects to the computer via USB or firewire. You can get a simple one for less than $200, some from guitar center and online sales are bundled with vocal mics too.

[Ameera]

well , I have a home studio and i use it to only record vocals. The things u mentioned are so much the basic things you need but you will need something for improving the sound of the acoustic space around the microphone if you're looking to send professional clips of your singing to someone. It's not an essential thing but it was one of the main problems i faced when setting my home studio. Since the room was not treated for sound proof and it was too complicated to move the mic and find a headphone long enogh to reach inside a closet or closed space my recording quality was not so good and the microhpone was catching everything even though there is a thing in the microhpone that eleminates the room sound (i use shure sm27) . I was considering getting this for a while since i can't afford to turn the room into a studio . anyone has a better idea? sE Electronics Reflexion Filter | Sweetwater.com

[String7th]

For vocals, an untreated room will not ruin every performance. If this is for music, there's so much going on that the ambient noise will be masked.

For voiceover and narrative that will be vocals alone, the reflextion filter is a great idea but can be done for less than $50. You can get old blankets and comforters and make yourself a little closet-sized sound fort. Staple to the ceiling or drape over wire and make yourself a couple walls. You can drape on a few inches from the ceiling for even better results

[Ameera]

Yeah i did try that once. I built a small fort and it actually sounded amazing recording inside there. but i got too hot standing inside and couldn't breathe. I guess that's coz i made it too small and had no opening. Is there any other cheap way to improve the surroundings of the room and prevent sound to go out or come in? I was reading about using the egg carton thing and how it doesn't really work when it comes to absorbing the sound. what about those little spunges they use for washing the dishes? can i buy lots of these and stick them on the wall? would it make a difference? I also read that things like styrafoam don't really work.

[FlaxAttacks]

So If I CAN record in my closet - that would be best? I heard the shirts and coats in it would help muffle the noise.

Would it provide any type of weird sound recording in a closet as opposed to a room? Or would it only improve the performance?

[String7th]

Originally Posted by Ameera

I guess that's coz i made it too small and had no opening. Is there any other cheap way to improve the surroundings of the room and prevent sound to go out or come in? I was reading about using the egg carton thing and how it doesn't really work when it comes to absorbing the sound. what about those little spunges they use for washing the dishes? can i buy lots of these and stick them on the wall? would it make a difference? I also read that things like styrafoam don't really work.

For room treatments, there are affordable things that do a little, Semi-affordable building projects that do a little more, reasonably priced products that claim to do a lot but don't, and super expensive products that do a ton.

Before you buy Studio foam from guitar center or 45 dozen sponges, just read a book on home studio acoustics, sound waves, and bass traps.

Impatient? Read

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by String7th

Before you buy Studio foam from guitar center or 45 dozen sponges, just read a book on home studio acoustics, sound waves, and bass traps.

Impatient? Read

+1.... no, +10 on String7th's advice!

Been there done that. Save up for proper sound treatment.

[String7th]

Originally Posted by TonyB

Been there done that.

We all have been there.
That's why I have a Behringer Vintager series preamp that I use for a door-stop.

One thing I can't part with, even if I could sell it, would be my original introduction to DAW recording, my Tascam US122. Awesomeness

[Ameera]

Originally Posted by String7th

For room treatments, there are affordable things that do a little, Semi-affordable building projects that do a little more, reasonably priced products that claim to do a lot but don't, and super expensive products that do a ton.

Before you buy Studio foam from guitar center or 45 dozen sponges, just read a book on home studio acoustics, sound waves, and bass traps.

Impatient? Read

thats by far the best advise ive ever gotten. Thanks!