Performance Over Perfection
This channel is about recording vocals that feel real. Primarily music vocals. If questions come up around VO or ADR, we’ll cover that too. But the focus here is capturing a performance that translates emotionally and technically. The core principle: Performance over perfection. A perfectly tuned vocal with no emotion doesn’t win. A compelling take with small imperfections usually does. We’ll break down: Mic choice and placement Pop control and proximity effect Headphone mixes that help, not distract Comfort, lighting, vibe, and psychology Tracking clean vs tracking through compression or EQ — and when each makes sense Session setup and routing inside Pro Tools Comping workflows Tuning and timing strategies You’ll see how to build sessions that move fast and stay organized. Labeling. Playlists. Gain staging. Print tracks vs commit later. Decisions that save hours. We’ll also talk about coaching. How to communicate with singers. When to push. When to stop. When to take a break. Great vocal recordings aren’t accidents. They’re the result of preparation, clarity, and knowing when the take is the take.