Singing to keep tempo while recording acoustic?

[Zaahir]

Hello everyone, im very new at recording, recently bought some equipment
(for those who care i bought an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB interface and I bought the Audio Technica AT2041 Mic Pac, comes with a large diaphram condenser and a small-diaphram condenser) and so anyways, i am recording my acoustic first for a song im working on.
My question is:
A)when i record, should/can i sing along to keep my tempo etc?
and B) If so, how can I remove the vocals after? Im singing very softly, the mic doesn't pick it up much, but it does sometimes. (ftr, im using pro-tools m-powered)

I've recorded songs before in a friend's dad's studio and when i recorded a song, for the guitar he let me sing as well and somehow i guess he removed it because i did the vocals later...

Hope this is clear, thanks!

[BudmanRocks]

Try using the metrodome instead of singing. Personaly I don't know if you can remove the vocals from your guitar track with out effecting the way your guitar sounds. Anysoftware that I have tried using for vocal removal screws up the way my guitar sounds. I always use headfones when I record acoustic music. The only other option that I can think of would be to practice the song more so you can play it with out singing. If it's just a tempo problem with your guitar playing with out singing the metrodome should keep you in time. Use headfones that way your mic will not pick up any thing else. I do record acoustic with pickups too and plug it right into the mixer. Then you can sing all you want and it will not go onto the guitar track.

[sparqee]

You can't really "remove" the vocals once they are recorded (without changing the other elements of the recording). Certain kinds of mics are very directional and it's possible to position them such that they pick up very little of what they are not directed at. You may also find that if your singing on the guitar track is quiet and pretty much in sync with your final overdub vocals then you just won't notice them.

My personal solution to this kind of situation is to record a "scratch track". Some people call it a "guide track". The goal is to capture the groove and feeling of the song. Make sure there is a count in on this track. This guide track can have your guitar and your singing. You then put this track into your headphones and record just your guitar. The guide track leads you to find the groove and the vocals in the guide track make sure you know where you are in the song as you record just the guitar. Once you have a good take on your guitar you turn off the guide track and listen to your guitar track in your headphones as you record your vocal track. Hopefully at the end of all this you have a great recording of your guitar (without extraneous vocalization in the background) and an excellent vocal track that you can mix together.

[Zaahir]

Ah thanks a lot guys, i'll try the scratch track idea, im sure it'll work.

[BudmanRocks]

I forgot about that. I must of had a BRAIN FART>>>>>.

[brandondrury]

Try using the metrodome instead of singing.

The Metrodome is a giant stadium in Minneapolis. ha ha "Metronome" is what we were looking for.

[Zaahir]

lol this is true. I don't think Minneapolis could help me much...

[sparqee]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

"Metrodome"

That's just how it's pronounced when you have a cold.

[P.P.T.]

If the song has a steady tempo then I tend to make a quick and simple drum track, just a measure or two that I can copy/paste. I find it much easier to play to a drum track than a click.

Also, if it is a slow tune then a double-time drum track may help keep time.
Or a drum track in proper time but with faster hats or something to help keep the beat.

Or singing in your head.

I've never gotten along with click tracks or metronomes.
You could get all the folks at the metrodome to clap along, but then the clapping tends to get sloppy and you'll have to fire them.