Best DAWs for Recording Vocals and according to a Vocal Coach?
- Lauren
- Aug 9, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 21
Vocal Recording Goals
Are you taking singing lessons and looking to record your own vocals? Wondering what are the best DAWs for recording vocal according to a vocal coach?(DAW=Digital Audio Workstation btw.)
Choosing a DAW
There's a lot things to consider when picking your chosen DAW.
How will it work with your computer? Do you have a PC of a Mac?
Do you want to be able to record a lot of live instruments such as drums? Live Guitar?
Are you looking for something affordable?
Do you have limited skills and want an interface that's easy for singers?
My experience recording vocals as a Vocal Coach
Although I'm a vocal coach, I also hold a certificate in audio engineering from Musicians Institute in Hollywood. (I've been on the faculty in their Indendant Artist Program since 2012 too) Through that program I became certified in ProTools at the first level, and I also studied Ableton and Logic Pro.
Through learning these three DAWS, I learned that each serves very specific needs.
Protools for recording vocals
It's not my favorite, but Protools is the industry standard when it come to post-production and if you work on site at a recording studio or film facility. Do you want to create sound effects in film? Want to add music too?Recording a full orchestra? Then you shoud definitely start digging into Protools immediately.
Ableton for Recording Vocals
Ableton on the otherhand, is excellent for live performance with tracks and sound design. You can make CRAZY sounds out of an audio file through tools Abeltons provides. Mapping a midi keyboard & other devices to Ableton is so easy and usually just the push of a button. Both Protools and Logic can work for live, but there's something about Ableton that's intuitve and quick to the touch. I know this is not a very technical description, but it's the way it feels to me. Side note- if you have a PC, Ableton is definitely your best best. Once you get in the flow of some of the differences in the software from Garageband for example, you'll find it's so user-friendly & I as mentioned intuitive!
Logic Pro for Recording Vocals
All that being said, as a vocal coach, I want to talk about Logic Pro as my favorite DAW for recording vocals.
Firstly, It works seamlessly with my Mac (sorry PC users you can't get Logic on your computer). It's basically the same as Garageband but GB only has offers the basics. If you're brand new to recording, I'd start with Garageband since it comes with your computer. It also offers different versions for iphone and ipads.
Recording Vocals in Logic Pro
When I first becan recording vocals in Logic, my friend Brian sat me down for an hour and showed me about 5 steps. Open the session, drag in the track to recognize the tempo, make sure track is record enabled, set levels, hit record and basically I was in business. Right away I was able to record my lead vocal and even start adding harmonies. It took me a while to get those levels right (oh digital distortion!) but honestly it wasn't too long and was alway easy to google with a world of recording forums to fix if I had any issues.
Editing Vocals in Logic Pro
I especially like the ability to use comp-swipe in Logic. It's very easy to record your vocals on a cycle loop and then return to it and highlight the comps. You can easily create fades once you have chosen the best comp of your vocals when you "flatten and merge."
I especially love this feature because when I write songs, I often like to loop the recording and listen back from strong melodies or jibberish that might make a great lyrics. The overall layout after you do this is visually clear and easy to sort through. I'm not the most organized person on the earth, so I need some help from my DAW.
Why I feel like Logic is one of the best daws for recording vocals
Yes, all other DAWS have this ability- it's been a part of Protools from the start- but there's something about the way it feels and sounds as a singer that's different in Logic. Do the DAWS sound different? This is an age-old conversation and I honestly am not sure, but it definitely feels different recording my vocals in Logic. Most importantly, I can set up and work VERY FAST. Imo, the hardest part of producing and recording music is getting started. When you feel inspired, the last thing you want to do is spend an hour setting up your DAW.
Disclaimer! I've never used FL Studio or Cubase. Comments welcome on these 2 DAWS!
Learn to record Vocals with an Online Vocal Coach
Are you a producer or singer who wants a private voice lessons to help you work on recording vocal for singers or yourself? I offer online voice lessons and can help you get started from anywhere in the world. It's very easy in an online voice lessons to share audio and set up together, so reach out to me if you'd like some help from a vocal coach getting started!
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