Leprous: Nailing Black Metal Vocal Tones – Mic & Tracking Insights

Getting that perfect, cutting, and monstrous extreme metal vocal take is an art form. It’s not just about raw aggression; it’s about capturing that intensity with clarity and power. We got a peek into a Leprous vocal tracking session with producer Dave Otero, where they tackled the crucial decision of microphone choice and dialed in the workflow for capturing Einar Solberg’s signature harsh vocals. If you’re looking to elevate your own extreme vocal recordings, these insights are pure gold.

The focus wasn’t just on gear, but on what truly helps the vocalist deliver their A-game. Let’s dive into how they approached finding the right mic and setting up for a killer performance. Check out the full session here. Let’s dive in!

The Great Mic Debate: Shure SM7B vs. Neumann U67 for Extreme Vocals

The session kicked off with a classic studio scenario: a microphone shootout. The contenders? Two legendary microphones, each with its own reputation and sonic character, pitted against each other to see which would best capture the Leprous sound.

The Contenders: Shure SM7B & Neumann U67

On one side, the Shure SM7B, a dynamic microphone famed for its ability to handle high sound pressure levels (SPLs) and its smooth response, making it a go-to for aggressive vocals and screaming. Its capsule is at the end of the barrel, which influences how you position it with a pop filter.

On the other, the Neumann U67, a revered large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone known for its rich detail, warmth, and versatility. Condensers like the U67 are often praised for their open sound and ability to capture subtle nuances.

The SM7B: Focused Power, Less Post-Processing?

Dave Otero pointed out that the SM7B often “packages” the high frequencies right at the input stage. This means you might get a sound that’s closer to “finished” and requires less surgical EQ work later to tame harshness – a common task when mixing aggressive vocals. For the Leprous vocalist, the SM7B initially felt like a “narrower lens,” perhaps a bit more focused and direct. Interestingly, when listening back to an initial take, he felt the SM7B recording sounded more like his typical finished vocal performance. This mic is also robust enough that you can grab it and move around if that helps your performance.

The U67: Open Detail, Performance Driver?

The U67, being a large-diaphragm condenser, offered a different experience. The vocalist immediately noted its “open and detailed” sound, feeling like he had more control over the more unpredictable sonic elements of his harsh vocal delivery. Dave also mentioned that condensers are generally more forgiving with proximity effect if the vocalist tends to move around a bit more. While the U67 might capture more of those nuanced high frequencies that require taming later with EQ strategies for modern metal, the initial feeling for the vocalist was one of enhanced control and connection with his performance.

Performance is King: Why Feel Trumps Specs

Throughout the mic selection process, Dave Otero consistently emphasized a core philosophy: the best microphone is the one that helps the vocalist deliver their best performance. Even if one mic technically sounds “better” in isolation or requires less fixing later, if the vocalist feels more comfortable, confident, and expressive with another, that’s usually the winner.

This is a crucial takeaway. The psychological impact of the gear on the performer can be immense. If a vocalist feels more in control or inspired by the sound they’re hearing in their headphones from a particular mic, their performance will likely be stronger. Dave was clear: any technical “issues,” like needing to EQ the highs from the U67, can always be worked around in the mix. The raw performance quality is paramount.

Cranking the Compression: Tracking with Aggression

Another key technique revealed in the session was Dave’s approach to compression during tracking. He mentioned running the vocals through fairly heavy compression “onto tape” (i.e., committing it to the recording in the DAW).

Why do this? For extreme vocals, this can really enhance the intensity. Dave loved how this heavy compression brought up the level of the breaths, making them almost as loud as the screams, which adds a visceral, energetic quality to the performance. This is a stark contrast to how the Leprous vocalist mentioned he usually records at home – without compression during tracking. This difference in approach can significantly impact the perceived energy and control in the recorded vocal.

If you’re chasing that aggressive, in-your-face vocal sound, experimenting with some metal compression secrets during tracking, not just mixing, could be a game-changer. Just be mindful of your gain staging and preamp levels! Dave had to adjust his preamp gain down, noting his compression settings weren’t “very conservative.”

Smart Tracking Workflow for Brutal Vocals

Once the mic was chosen (spoiler: they went with the U67), the discussion shifted to tracking workflow. For harsh vocals, Dave prefers a more streamlined approach compared to the often meticulous comping of clean vocals.

His general strategy for growls and screams is to avoid doing a “shipload of takes.” Instead, the goal is to capture a few really strong, complete passes. If a take feels great, that might be it. Maybe one more for safety if the vocalist is up for it, but if the energy starts to decline, it’s best to stick with the strong take. He also mentioned that sometimes he’ll use an A/B recording approach, tracking line by line on different tracks to build a comp as they go, especially if stamina is a concern.

For this Leprous session, the vocalist preferred doing full chorus passes. This helps maintain intensity and allows for natural breath control, especially with demanding, continuous parts. His plan was to establish the intensity on the first chorus and then build upon it for subsequent ones, aiming to move quickly between sections while “in the zone” to maintain vocal consistency.

This collaborative approach, where the producer adapts to the vocalist’s preferred method while guiding the session towards the best outcome, is key.

The Verdict: Why Leprous Chose the U67 (This Time)

After some A/B listening and discussion, the decision landed on the Neumann U67. Even though the vocalist acknowledged the SM7B take sounded “more like my finished performance” and the sonic difference wasn’t massive, the U67 won out.

Why? Performance. The vocalist felt he had more control and that his actual delivery was more “on point” with the U67. He felt the transparency of the U67 allowed him to articulate better. This experience trumped the fact that the SM7B might have offered a more “pre-packaged” sound. Dave was fully on board, reiterating that whatever makes the vocalist deliver the goods is the right choice.

Capturing Your Own Killer Extreme Vocals

The Leprous vocal session with Dave Otero was packed with actionable insights:

• Mic choice is personal and performance-driven: Don’t just go by specs or what others use. Test mics and see what feels best and inspires the best delivery. The SM7B and U67 both offer unique advantages.
• Performance trumps technical perfection (at source): A killer performance on a mic that needs a bit more EQ is better than a tentative one on a “technically perfect” mic.
• Consider tracking compression: For aggressive styles, compressing on the way in can add intensity and character.
• Streamline your harsh vocal tracking: Focus on strong, complete takes rather than endless comping.

These are the kinds of real-world decisions and techniques that shape professional metal productions. Want to see how producers like Dave Otero take these raw tracks and forge them into a polished, powerful mix? At Nail The Mix, you get to be a fly on the wall.

Every month, members get access to real multitracks from massive metal bands and watch the original producers mix them from scratch, explaining every decision. See how these vocal takes are processed, blended, and made to sit perfectly in a dense progressive metal mix. If you’re ready to move beyond presets and truly Unlock Your Sound, seeing these pros in action is invaluable. Dive deeper into sessions like this Leprous vocal tracking by checking out the full Leprous session on Nail The Mix.