bitflipper
Re: the photo of Lennon using just a windscreen. In Geoff Emerick's book he talks about the superb microphone techniques of Lennon & McCartney, who had trained themselves to turn their heads for plosives and sibilance, thus solving the problem at the source.
After reading that, I started doing it myself, and it really works - but it's much harder to do than it sounds. A much easier technique is to simply sing slightly off-axis so that those big "P" gusts don't hit the diaphragm straight on. Of course, this works best with microphones that have a wide or omni pickup pattern.
Agree, it really does work and as you said in all honesty; such techniques are easy said than done.
All my vocal tracks are done using a hand-held mic with
no wind-shield and
no pop-filter.
But to be honest; I also cheated with my vocals by doubling (or sometimes triple-tracking) (multi-layered) and used all the old studio tricks (processing) to make my crappy wimpy vocals standout better in the mix.
By doubling I mean; actually singing 'another' entire performance - track(s) and the trick to get it right; all performances must be tight and that alone takes practice, practice, practice. {questions to one-self} Why go through all that hassle?... because unlike using an
Auto-Doubling FX, the end results is not the same and that's because; humans aren't perfect!
The other trick up my sleeve; on a separate track I sometimes record yet another vocal take; a deliberate 'character change' (tone) to add 'dirt' (grunge) and that technique is based on a vocal techniques; tightening the throat -- sing from the throat. The beauty about this is; less-likely to get Pops, Sibilants and wild-dynamics....
however; I have seen singers use that technique 'live' as their main vocal but often burn-out (lose their voice) half-way through the set. Anyway... for my purpose; this particular 'dirt' technique allows me to blend that layer with my usual 'main' vocal track. Forget the
Auto-Tune 'Throat Modelling' because it will not produce the same results (although maybe similar) because; human qualities particularly all those subtle variances; nuances in both tone and delivery (sorry, hard to explain)!
Sorry.... more questions to one-self (time for my medication).... YEah sure, sure that's all nice and freaking interesting but how the heck does one pull off such a feat live?....
That's another trick that can be covered if ya' know what I mean --- hint:
backing tracks! Cheating? in a way it is but those backing tracks are meant to be just that; backing; to enhance and not actually be as noticeable since the 'main' lead vocal is actually done 'live' and is mixed/layered 'on-top' of the backing tracks.
AWww come on man you're pulling my wiener?...
No, not at all --- I've actually did this vocal technique (cheats/tricks) 'live' at a 'No-Covers' concert in Darling Harbour, Sydney, 1998 after the event the sound guy actually said I did a great job; it sounded tight and nobody could tell there were vocal layers (backing)! But like I said; the trick to get it right is; practice, practice, practice.
Sorry.... more questions to one-self (time for my medication).... Have you ever been abducted by aliens and had kinky experiments done to you?...
Don't ask!
Anyway.... sorry for going slightly OT and ranting on and on and on.