R-07 Practical Guide Vocals

Do you worry about any of these things?

  • Digital recorders are complicated to use.
  • Using my phone to record is easy, but the sound is not so great.
  • I need lots of expensive gear to get good recordings.
  • I’m concerned about handling noise in my recordings.
  • Sometimes my recordings sound a bit dry or lifeless.

Pro-quality vocal recordings at the touch of a button.

When you want to capture a vocal idea, new song, or practice session, you don't need to be an audio engineer to get a great quality recording fast. Simply choose “Vocal” from the R-07’s intelligent scene modes and away you go!

Easy to hold and operate.

The R-07 is about the size of a deck of cards and weighs the same as the average smartphone, making it easy to hold in your hand. And with the informative display and dedicated panel controls, it’s a breeze to adjust levels and capture multiple recordings in succession.

Hands-free control for even cleaner recordings.

Being a handheld recorder, the R-07 is specially designed to keep handling noise from reaching the built-in mic as much as possible. But when you want to achieve the very cleanest recordings, it’s simple to completely eliminate any handling noise by going 100-percent hands free.

The R-07 has a built-in thread mount, allowing you to attach the optional OP-MSA1 adaptor and mount the recorder on a mic stand. Better still, all the R-07’s recording and input monitoring functions can be accessed wirelessly from a dedicated app for your smartphone or Apple Watch, letting you fully operate the unit without ever touching it.

Get R-07 Remote for iOS/watchOS
Get R-07 Remote for Android

Add life to vocal playback with built-in reverb.

If you’ve recorded your vocal in a space without much ambience, it might sound a little dry and uninspiring when you listen back. But by using the R-07’s convenient reverb effect, you can instantly bring the sound to life. Four different types of reverb are available, providing a variety of ambient spaces to choose from.

Basic Recording Procedure

Vocals

  • 1. For the quickest setup, press SCENE and select “Vocal.” It’s also possible to set the recording parameters manually if you prefer.
  • 2. Place the R-07 in the desired position.
  • 3. Press the REHEARSAL button and sing into the R-07 to automatically set the optimum recording level.
  • 4. Start recording.

Tips:

  • Place the R-07’s mic directly in front of the vocalist.
  • Setting the mic about 9-12 inches away is a good start. But feel free to try a little closer or a little farther away to see how you like the sound.
  • To minimize breathing noises, try lowering the mic position a little bit below the vocalist’s mouth.
  • For the best sound, record in a quiet environment that’s free of street noise and other unwanted sounds.
  • It’s also good to find a space without too much natural reverberation, unless you want to hear it in your recording. It’s easy to add ambience after the fact, but almost impossible to remove if it’s part of the original recording.
Preview Vocal Demo (MP3 Streaming) Vocal recorded in rehearsal studio. Get Recording Examples (24-bit/96 kHz WAV) Go to Download Page

Solo Performance with Vocals and Guitar or Keyboard

  • 1. For the quickest setup, press SCENE and select “Music Hi-Res” or “Music CD.” It’s also possible to set the recording parameters manually if you prefer.
  • 2. Place the R-07 in the desired position.
  • 3. As the performer plays and sings, press the REHEARSAL button to automatically set the optimum recording level.
  • 4. Start recording.

Tips:

  • Position the R-07 to capture the desired balance between the vocal and the instrument.
  • In most cases, you’ll want the vocal to be more prominent in the mix. Start by positioning the R-07 to capture the best vocal sound. After that, readjust the R-07 as necessary to blend the desired amount of instrument into the sound.
  • To minimize breathing noises, try lowering the mic position a little bit below the vocalist’s mouth.
  • For the best sound, record in a quiet environment that’s free of street noise and other unwanted sounds.

R-07 Product Information

  • *The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Roland is under license.
  • *Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries, used with permission. aptX is a trademark of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., registered in the United States and other countries, used with permission.
  • *Complies with the definitions of Hi-Res audio as recommended by the Japan Audio Society. The Hi-Res logo is a trademark and is licensed from the Japan Audio Society.