How to Record Your Vocals at Home (Even If You’re Totally New to This)

Hey friends,

This might be a little awkward and scrappy, but I promise—if you stick with me, you'll walk away with everything you need to start recording solid vocals from your own home.

I made this for all of you singer-songwriters, performers, and vocalists out there who are writing great songs but feel stuck because you're not sure how to capture a high-quality vocal (or guitar/piano) recording. Maybe you want to work remotely with a producer like me—or just start sharing your music—and you’re wondering: “How do I get a decent vocal without fancy gear or a professional studio?”

Well, let me show you a simple, affordable way to do it. You don’t need a studio, you just need a few basics. *FIRST: If you haven't yet, grab your free hymnal - jeredmckenna.com/freeminihymnal

Step 1: The Gear You Need (Links in the Video Description)

Here’s the small and mighty setup I recommend:

• Audio Interface: Get yourself a Focusrite Scarlett Solo or something similar. This lets your microphone talk to your computer.

• Microphone: Start with a trusty Shure SM58. It’s the same mic you probably use live and works great to get started.

• XLR Cable: You’ll need this to connect your mic to the interface.

• Laptop: Yes, laptops still work! Any decent one will do.

• Free Recording Software: I used Audacity. It's not fancy, but it’s free and gets the job done. (GarageBand is great if you're on a Mac.)

Step 2: Plug In and Set Up

• Plug your mic into the interface.

• Open your software (like Audacity), and create a mono track. Since you’re recording one vocal mic, mono is perfect.

• Hit the big red Record button, and you’re off to the races.

Now you’ll want to set your levels—this means adjusting the gain (the knob on the interface) so that your voice is loud enough without distorting.

Pro Tip: Put the mic about 12 inches from your mouth. That’s a great starting point.

Watch the meters on your interface and software. You want your vocals to hit the green to yellow zone, but not red. Red means distortion. You can test it by making exaggerated “Whoa!” sounds and seeing how loud they come through.

Step 3: Recording in a Real-Life Space

I’m recording in a fairly “dead” room—curtains, rugs, couches, sound treatment. But you don’t need a perfect space. If you sing with the mic close to your lips, you bypass a lot of the room’s sound.

I’ve literally recorded vocals in my car, parked in South Carolina summer heat with the A/C blasting. True story. If you keep your mouth on the mic (lightly touching the grill), you’ll block out most ambient noise.

Final Tips

• You can start simple. Use a dynamic mic like the SM58. You can always upgrade to a condenser mic later.

• Watch your gain. Record as loud as you can without clipping (hitting red).

• Record in mono.

• Use what you have. Even your phone can work in a pinch.

That’s it! I hope this gives you the confidence to start recording your own vocals at home.

You’ve got the talent—you just need a mic, a little gear, and a push in the right direction.

Check out the video above for the full walkthrough. And all the gear links are in the video description if you want to grab the exact stuff I used.

Keep creating