Vocal recording
Lead vocals, harmonies, rap or spoken word over music: a quiet booth, a headphone mix set for you and an engineer who knows your song.
Overview
Vocal recording in Lyon: singing, rap, harmonies
The voice is often the most exposed track in a song, and the hardest to redo. A good vocal take depends on three things: a room that does not colour the sound, a microphone suited to the voice, and a working atmosphere that lets you sing without tensing up. Those are the three things our sessions focus on.
Our 7 m² booth is very dry and silently ventilated. It is connected to the control room by a window, so you keep constant eye contact with the engineer. In your headphones you hear a mix set for you: more or less voice, reverb or click, depending on what helps you sing in tune.
We record singers preparing a first single as well as established artists redoing a vocal on an existing production, rappers, choirs of three or four people, and musicians adding vocals to their own instrumentals.
How it works
Step by step
Preparation
You send us the instrumental and, if possible, a vocal demo. We prepare the session and the headphone mix before you arrive.
Choosing the mic
At the start of the session we compare two or three microphones on a few lines to choose the one that best serves your voice.
Takes
We record section by section, with regular breaks. The engineer marks the best takes as we go.
Comping and export
Assembling the best takes, removing distracting mouth noises and breaths, exporting the tracks.
Choosing the microphone, step by step
There is no such thing as the "best microphone" in absolute terms. A Neumann U 87 Ai gives a balanced sound that suits many voices; a tube mic adds density to a thin voice; a dynamic Shure SM7B handles a powerful voice or a very projected rap better. We test in real conditions, on your song, and you choose by ear.
We then set the distance, height and angle of the mic, then the preamp. We record with comfortable headroom and no heavy compression on the way in, to keep every option open at the mixing stage. If you prefer to hear some compression in your headphones, we add it to the monitor feed only.
Directing without pushing
Many artists arrive worried about "failing" in front of someone. Our role is to keep the session simple: we explain what we hear, suggest concrete ideas (rhythmic placement, intent, how to pronounce a syllable) and we also know when to stay quiet because the take is there.
You are welcome to bring your producer or a friend; the control room comfortably seats three or four people. If you prefer to work alone with the engineer, that is just as good.
Editing, comping and tuning
Comping means assembling, phrase by phrase, the best parts of several takes. It is included in the session: we do it with you at the end, or on our own within 48 hours if you prefer. We clean up mouth clicks, pops and breaths that stand out, without making the voice sound artificial.
Pitch correction is not automatic. When it helps, we apply it transparently, note by note, to fix an inaccuracy without any audible effect. If you are looking for an obvious tuning effect instead, we treat it as an artistic choice at the mixing stage.
What you receive
At the end of the session you receive, by download link, the vocal tracks as 24-bit / 48 kHz WAV files (or at your session's sample rate), clearly named and aligned to the start of the song so they import into any software. On request we also provide the full Pro Tools or Logic session and a rough reference mix so you can hear how it sounds.
We keep a backup copy of your files for 6 months after the session, free of charge, in case you need it.
After the session: what you receive
At the end of the vocal session, we export the selected takes as 24-bit WAV files at the project sample rate, clearly named (lead vocal, doubles, harmonies, ad-libs). If you wish, we add an already assembled comp track and a reference bounce with the instrumental, so you can listen at home before mixing.
Files are delivered by download link and kept on our drives for the period stated in the quote. Please keep your own backup too: a studio is not an archiving service.
What is included
- Sound engineer for the whole session
- Choice and test of 2 to 3 microphones
- Custom headphone mix
- Comping and take cleanup
- Named and aligned 24-bit WAV export
- File backup for 6 months
Rates
| Option | Included | Excl. VAT | Incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocal recording — per hour | per hour, engineer included | €55 | €66 |
| Vocal recording — half day (4 h) | 4-hour package | €200 | €240 |
All rates: Rates page. Booking, cancellation and withdrawal terms: Terms of service.
Frequently asked questions
Vocal recording
How long should I plan for one song?
For a lead vocal and a few doubles on a three- to four-minute song, allow about half a day. Harmonies or a very dense rap may take longer.
Should I bring my instrumental?
Yes, ideally as a WAV file with the tempo noted. A good-quality MP3 is fine for a demo. If you have the separate stems, bring them: it helps us tailor the headphone mix.
Can I sing into my own microphone?
Of course. We plug it in and compare it with ours; then you decide.
What if I am ill on the day?
Let us know as soon as possible. A tired voice does not give good takes; we will find another date under the rescheduling rules in our Terms of service.
A project to record in Lyon?
Tell us about your project: we get back to you with a proposed slot and a written quote, with no obligation, within one business day.