Do Most Singers Dislike the Sound of Their Own Recorded Voice?
It is not uncommon for singers to feel a disconnect between their recorded voice and what they hear in their head or when singing live. This phenomenon can cause a range of reactions, from shock to acceptance, as one delves deeper into the world of vocal recording.
Common Reactions to Recorded Voice
The initial reaction when hearing a recording for the first time is often a surprise. Many singers are surprised and sometimes disappointed by the sound. Over time, however, most singers come to accept their recorded voice as their "true" voice and stop finding it strange. This acceptance comes with experience and understanding of how recorded sound differs from live performance.
Personal Experience with Recorded Voice
I began creating my own music in 2001 and started recording vocals alongside my compositions. Over the years, I have grown accustomed to the recorded sound and no longer find it unusual or shocking. This experience is common among musicians. Once one has recorded themselves enough, the strange feeling of hearing one's voice in a recording diminishes.
Educational and Professional Perspectives
I have recorded myself since my mid-teens and have always known the difference between the voice in my head and the one heard by my audience. This is because our voice is perceived differently due to bone conduction. When singing, our voice resonates through our nasal and thoracic cavities, which alters the sound significantly. This altered sound is not carried accurately to the outside world, leading to a different perception in recordings.
Radio Journalist Experience
As a former radio journalist, I conducted numerous interviews and found that there was a universal consensus: none of my interviewees liked the sound of their voice as it was recorded. The reason for this is the difference in how our voice sounds through bone conduction versus how it is heard in an external recording. Many people lack the projection in their voice, leading to a perception of sounding different when recorded.
Impact of Voice Projection and Bone Conduction
People with a naturally louder voice, such as myself, find that the sound in recordings is more similar to the sound they hear when singing. However, for most, the recorded sound is different due to the lack of projection and the distortion of sound through bone conduction. This is why many singers find it necessary to wear headphones during recording sessions to better hear themselves.
Historical Perspectives
Recalling my own early childhood, when I was just a 7-year-old singing in a church choir, I remember my voice being so loud that it could be heard by the entire congregation. This experience further reinforces the notion that the recorded sound of one's voice can differ significantly from what one thinks they sound like.
Impact on Vocal Performance
The recorded sound of one's voice almost never matches what they think they sound like. This difference can be surprising at first, but it is a natural part of the vocal recording process. Singers often change their singing style as a result of hearing the recorded sound, which can be very helpful for understanding how others perceive their voice.
Historical Recording Experience
My first experience with vocal recording was in 1962, which was far from professional studio work. Even with the technology available then, my father still could not recognize my voice on the recording. This experience highlights how much the sound of a recorded voice can differ from what the singer hears in real-time.
Summary
In conclusion, while it is difficult to be objective about one's own vocal recordings, most singers find that the recorded sound of their voice does not match what they imagine it to be. This difference is due to the unique way our brain processes sound through bone conduction and the external recording process. Over time, singers develop a better understanding and acceptance of this phenomenon.