Tag: Rap/Vocals

Prepare your iPhone and earphones with a microphone, and download the Voloco app.

Then I record while tucked in bed.

It’s a good idea to have a pop filter on your rap recording.

1. iPhone
2. Earphones with Microphone
3. Voloco app

When recording rap, adjust the distance between the microphone, pop filter, and mouth as follows:

Basic Distances:

• Microphone to pop filter: 5–10 cm
• Pop filter to mouth: 5–10 cm
• Microphone to mouth: ~100 cm

Key Adjustment Tips:

• Volume:
  • Loud voice: Move the mic farther to avoid distortion.
  • Quiet voice: Move the mic closer for better sound.
• Microphone Type:
  • Highly directional: Move closer to the mouth.
  • Less directional: Move farther to reduce noise interference.
• Recording Environment:
  • Large room: Move farther to reduce reflections.
  • Small room: Move closer to improve sound quality.

Additional Tips:

• Pop filters reduce saliva, breath, and plosive sounds (e.g., “P” and “B”).
• These distances are guidelines; adjust while recording to find the best sound.
• Listen to test recordings to fine-tune sound quality and minimize noise.

Wouldn’t it be better to use AI to make beats these days?

Apply delay, record an overlay, etc.

Struggling with breath while rapping? Follow these tips to improve:

1. Simplify Lyrics: Shorten phrases and swap complex words for clarity and ease.
2. Breathe Properly: Use diaphragmatic breathing, timed pauses, and stamina drills.
3. Take Strategic Pauses: Add rests to emphasize lines and catch your breath.
4. Build Endurance: Do cardio and vocal exercises to strengthen lungs.
5. Learn Pro Tricks: Practice silent breaths and timed drills for better control.
6. Review Recordings: Spot issues and refine your technique.

Master these, and deliver flawless, confident verses!

Swing hip-hop beats, inspired by jazz and funk, feature bouncy, syncopated rhythms that challenge even skilled rappers. Unlike straight beats, their unpredictable flow, syncopation, and dynamic grooves require precision, adaptability, and creativity.

Why They’re Hard:

• Unpredictable Rhythms: Shifting emphasis disrupts flow.
• Syncopation: Off-beats demand precise timing.
• Varied Feel: Beats may seem to “speed up” or “slow down.”
• Pressure to Innovate: Their rarity pushes originality.

Why They’re Loved:

Swing beats bring unmatched groove, creative freedom, and connect to hip-hop’s jazz roots.

Tips to Conquer Them:

1. Study Masters: Learn from J Dilla, Madlib, and others.
2. Freestyle Often: Internalize swing rhythms through practice.
3. Break Down Beats: Analyze elements to find the groove.
4. Stay Precise: Sync your flow to offbeat patterns.

Swing beats challenge rappers to innovate, but with practice and boldness, they can inspire unforgettable artistry.

Try these solutions:

Recording Environment

• Reduce noise: Use curtains or blankets on walls and floors.
• Microphone distance: Avoid being too close; it can emphasize bass and muffle sound.
• Adjust angle: Experiment with the mic’s angle for optimal voice pickup.

Microphone

• Choose wisely: Condenser mics are better for vocals than dynamic mics, which pick up more ambient noise.
• Use a pop filter: Reduces breath and wind noise.

Recording Software

• Equalizer: Cut low frequencies to minimize muffling.
• Compressor: Stabilizes voice levels for clarity.

Other Tips

• Clear pronunciation: Open your mouth wide when speaking.
• Abdominal breathing: Helps stabilize and clarify your voice.

Deciding to reduce breaths in a rap mix depends on style, vibe, and preference:

1. Keep Breaths: Adds authenticity, enhances rhythm, suits raw, emotional tracks.
2. Reduce Breaths: Creates a polished sound, balances the mix, suits commercial styles.
3. Context: High-energy tracks may need fewer breaths, while introspective ones benefit from keeping them.
4. Tips: Lower volume subtly, stay consistent, and use automation or de-essing.

It’s a creative choice aligned with the artist’s vision and the track’s goals.