Going by experience,the solo lines would most likely take the lead. Although this may not always be true. By recording the lead last, you restrict the lead from including his/her style in the music. The timing is already fixed for him/her. I have never liked this as i feel that every solo artist should be allow to free him/herself and perform to their best.
I would usually do a scratch track first using the lead vocal and a acoustic guitar or whatever instrument that can easily acompany the vocal. After that, the main instrumentation comes in. Building up the vibe for the vocalist. Next to record would be the backing vocals and lastly the lead vocal. The last two steps can be reversed if required as it is not fixed.
For your case, there might be an issue of headphone cues for the acapella group.The number of people in the group would represent the number of headphones you would need. A signal distributer that is able to handle that many cues is also needed. This may cause a problem for you if the group is big.
I would always try to go with a scratch track first. It makes things very much easier. However, your method would work as there is no fixed method in recording. As they always say, 'who cares how you got there!'
The most important thing is that your acapella group must be strong.Making sure that everything is right before continuing as there is no guide to help you.If you realise that something is wrong with the backing voices when you are recording the lead, you have to start all over from the top. Not a very nice experience, i can tell you that first hand.
I don't think that you will have much of a problem with your miking technique.You might consider using the ORTF miking for the acapella group. It sounds more natural.
Just a note.Onboard mic pres actually induce more noise into your signal due to the closely pack electronics. The convertors are very near to the power supply the mic pre which can cause noise.Outboard pres are cleaner. Why do you think studios all use outboard pres!?[Even digidesign put their pres seperately in the HD series]
That should answer your question.Good Luck with your recording!Keep us informed.Thanks!
I would usually do a scratch track first using the lead vocal and a acoustic guitar or whatever instrument that can easily acompany the vocal. After that, the main instrumentation comes in. Building up the vibe for the vocalist. Next to record would be the backing vocals and lastly the lead vocal. The last two steps can be reversed if required as it is not fixed.
For your case, there might be an issue of headphone cues for the acapella group.The number of people in the group would represent the number of headphones you would need. A signal distributer that is able to handle that many cues is also needed. This may cause a problem for you if the group is big.
I would always try to go with a scratch track first. It makes things very much easier. However, your method would work as there is no fixed method in recording. As they always say, 'who cares how you got there!'
The most important thing is that your acapella group must be strong.Making sure that everything is right before continuing as there is no guide to help you.If you realise that something is wrong with the backing voices when you are recording the lead, you have to start all over from the top. Not a very nice experience, i can tell you that first hand.
I don't think that you will have much of a problem with your miking technique.You might consider using the ORTF miking for the acapella group. It sounds more natural.
Just a note.Onboard mic pres actually induce more noise into your signal due to the closely pack electronics. The convertors are very near to the power supply the mic pre which can cause noise.Outboard pres are cleaner. Why do you think studios all use outboard pres!?[Even digidesign put their pres seperately in the HD series]
That should answer your question.Good Luck with your recording!Keep us informed.Thanks!
