Studio Singing Vs Live Singing

  • Studio Audio & Effects
  • Live Audio
  • Energy In Performance

Genres

We all want to have the perfect sound for that live performance.

Have you ever heard a live version of a song you enjoy?

Maybe at a concert or on Youtube. It is important to note the differences between a studio version and a live version.

When listening to a live version we assume that the singer will sound exactly like the studio track.

There are many details we want to focus on if we are taking our studio versions and singing them live.

Studio Audio & Effects

Genres

It is called the studio version because it is produced in a studio. These vocals can be edited or enhanced with vocal effects.

You can make your voice softer, louder, and you can even correct the pitch.

Ad libs, and supporting vocals to help the track sound full and entertaining.

In the studio you can take as many retakes as you need to get your vocals perfect.

In some cases you can even click and drag vocals in places where you would normally take a breath.

This can make it seem as though you have an endless lung capacity. Next time you listen to a fast song, listen closely to see if it is humanly possible to not take a breath between verses.

There are no planned retakes in live music. Live music is more focused on performance, than perfection.

Live Audio

Genres

First, we must note that there are different types of live performances.

Performances that re live can be lip synced. They can have autotune, reverb, or other vocal effects.

Those effects enhance the singer’s voice in real time. In some cases, vocal effects can even make a singer make mistakes. It’s all about application, and where it is being used.

Paying attention to live performances without effects, can teach you how the singer sings without enhancements.

Some people prefer live vocals over studio vocals because in a live performance you listen to the raw skill of a singer in a public setting.

The echo and sound quality is dependent on location. Some singers may not do all the things in their studio version, depending on the difficulty of singing it live.

That doesn’t make their performances any less great, but it puts into perspective that some of the things we hear in music, may even be hard for the singer.

Singing at an athlete level with practice can be more comfortable, but not necessarily easy.

Energy In Performance

When singing in a studio, generally, it’s you and the booth. You can take as many takes as you need to build yourself with the right energy.

Vocal effects and ad libs help add to the overall feel of your music.

When singing live, you are directing your energy towards the audience. Your composure and how you sing your song should come from a place of empathy.

Being vulnerable in your energy and vocals is what will help you develop a connection with your audience.

Live performances tend to bring a level of freshness that studio versions can only imitate. Try to be strategic about how you apply yourself in a live setting.

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