Match the microphone with the singing style, since the human voice has a wide dynamic range. For quiet voices, use compressor microphones to avoid recording too much hiss, according to the Recording Microphones website. Louder vocalists may require dynamic microphones to reduce high frequency sounds.
Check the sound levels coming through the singer's headphones. If the backing track sounds too loud or too quiet, the singer will struggle to hear himself and in turn give a less inspired performance, according to advice posted by Silver Dragon Records. If time permits, work out a mix that sounds good to the singer's ears.
Keep vocalists a foot away from the microphone, which works best for recording loud passages. During intimate passages, the singer can move within 4 to 6 inches of a microphone. Stick a pop filter over the microphone, which filters out unwanted plosive, spitting and breathing sounds.
Place the vocalist in a separate room, if possible, to prevent ambient sounds from leaking onto the tape. If this is not possible, used "closed-back" headphones and mute speakers between takes, the Recording Microphones website advises. This will reduce the chances of recording machinery noises, too.
Use a compressor to ensure consistent sound levels. The compressor is a device that automatically lowers volume levels when a singer's voice exceeds the levels coming into the recording board. When dealing with a wild or untrained vocalist, keep the signal range at -10 to -20 decibels.
Experiment with microphone placements, if time permits. Placing microphones too close to the singer's mouth will record too many intimate sounds, such as tongue-clicking or lip-smacking. Placing microphones too far will pick up the room's natural acoustics, leading to a "boxy" sound. To dampen such noises, hang absorbent materials -- such as curtains or duvets -- around the room, particularly behind the singer.