A good microphone for the operatic voice

Posted byDeborah Wai KapohePosted inUncategorizedTags:
Sennheiser MK4 Large Diaphragm Microphone

Use your own brain. Do not depend on your teacher.

Dame Nellie Melba – Melba Method, 1926

Since I begun my project in April to refresh my voice, affectionally named the “Lilli Lehmann Project”, I have recorded every note I have uttered. The recordings last for around one minute or so. These recordings give me time to think, time to micro-rest my voice and are essential for me because I am now teaching myself.

Until September, I recorded my voice using the iPhone built in microphone. However, I wanted to produce better recordings for my SoundCloud. The plan is to eventually buy a couple of Gefell M930 and Apogee duet but for now I am finding them difficult to source. Hence, I bought a Sennheiser MK4.

The Sennheiser MK4 Large Diaphragm Microphone, retailing for around USD300, is an excellent microphone for recording the operatic voice. The microphone plugs directly into an iPad or iPhone and uses free Apogee software downloadable from the app store. The software is a little temperamental on the iPhone 8 but works well on an old iPad.

Once the recording is made, it is easy to upload the recording to Dropbox and then SoundCloud.

SoundCloud is part of my project plan to aim for continual improvement over the next three years. I must say it is satisfying to make a new recording of an aria and, after comparison, acknowledge there has been improvement since the last recording was made. The old recording is then deleted.

I recommend this microphone. Here it is without any sound engineering.

Published by Deborah Wai Kapohe

I am a professional classical singer with strong crossover ability. I have been in the music business since my graduation from University in 1994. In addition to singing, I have been trained to a high level in classical guitar and brass. My guitar playing enables me to self accompany; I perform professionally as a self-accompanied singer. My brass playing facilitates my playing of Taonga Puoro (traditional Māori instruments). I have begun to focus on my YouTube channel now that my studio is full. I have called this channel 'The Complete Singer' because I am not only a singer, but also a teacher and singer-songwriter; I write songs professionally as well as for relaxation. I believe that old fashioned singing techniques, developed over hundreds of years in Italy, should form the foundation of good singing. I practice exercises daily from books written by Garcia, Marchesi and Melba. In addition to these exercises, I add modern singing exercises. Therefore, this forms the basis of my teaching.

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