I'm getting a lot of sibilance or high-end distortion from my VMS System
If you're hearing too much sibilance or high-end harshness in your vocal recordings, the issue might not be the microphone—it's often the mic positioning.
Many classic vocal recording techniques involve placing the microphone slightly above or below the mouth, rather than directly in front of it. This helps reduce harsh consonants, lip noise, wind blasts, and saliva clicks—all of which contribute to unpleasant high-end artifacts.
🎙️ Try These Placement Techniques
- Mic above the mouth (singer sings under): Helps brighten the vocal and emphasize upper mids. Useful for cutting through dense mixes or bringing out softer voices.
- Mic below the mouth (singer sings over): Adds warmth, body, and thickness. Great for taming thin or sibilant vocals. You can tilt the mic slightly toward or away from the chest to shape the result.
Both of these positions reduce the direct impact of wind and transient noise on the capsule, allowing you to use EQ and compression more aggressively without introducing artifacts. These methods are still used in major studios today—especially with condenser mics.
Many legendary artists used thoughtful mic positioning to shape their tone. These photos showcase techniques where the performer isn't directly on-axis or up close—helping reduce sibilance and maintain clarity.
Ella Fitzgerald – Slight off-axis technique with moderate distance
Frank Sinatra – Pulled-back position with large broadcast mic
Billie Holiday – Standing slightly back from front-address microphone
These techniques apply to any of the mics in the Virtual Microphone System—don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for each voice.
Still have questions?
Contact us here and we’ll help you troubleshoot or narrow down what might be causing the issue.
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