What You Need
Step 1: Set Up Your Mic
Plug in your USB microphone before opening Genesis Mix Lab. Your operating system should recognize it automatically — no driver installation needed for most USB mics.
When Genesis asks for microphone permission, click "Allow". Then select your USB mic from the input dropdown (not your laptop's built-in mic). Do a quick test: speak at your normal volume and check that the input meter moves. Your loudest vocal should peak around -6 dB — that's your gain staging sweet spot.
Step 2: Create a Project
Create a new session in Genesis Mix Lab. If you're recording vocals over a beat or instrumental, import that audio file first — it'll appear on its own track. Your vocal recording will go on a separate track, so you can mix them independently later.
Name your project something descriptive (e.g., "Verse 1 Vocals — Track Title"). Future you will thank present you for good file organization.
Step 3: Record Your Take
Arm your vocal track for recording (the record-enable button on the channel strip). Put on your headphones, position yourself 6–8 inches from the mic, and hit the transport record button. Perform naturally. If you make a mistake, keep going — you can punch in and edit later.
Step 4: Basic Processing
Once your vocals are recorded, add some basic processing to polish the sound. Here's a starting chain:
Compressor
Evens out volume differences between loud and quiet parts. Start with a 3:1 ratio, medium attack, and medium release. Aim for 3–6 dB of gain reduction on peaks.
EQ
Cut below 80 Hz (removes rumble), cut any harsh frequencies around 2–4 kHz, and gently boost "air" around 10–12 kHz. Less is more.
De-Esser
Tames harsh "S" and "T" sounds. Set the frequency between 5–8 kHz and adjust the threshold until sibilance is controlled without making you sound lispy.
For a complete processing walkthrough, see our vocal mixing chain guide.
Step 5: Export
When you're happy with the sound, export your vocals. For further production work (importing into another DAW, sending to a collaborator), export as WAV at the highest quality your project supports. For quick sharing or demos, MP3 is fine.
Genesis Mix Lab supports WAV (up to 96kHz/32-bit), MP3, FLAC, and AIFF export formats.
Pro Tips for Better Browser Recordings
Record in a closet. Hanging clothes absorb reflections better than most acoustic treatment. Seriously — many hit records have vocal tracks recorded in closets.
Don't compress while recording. Record clean, dry audio. Add compression and effects after the fact so you can adjust without re-recording.
Do multiple takes. Record 3–5 takes of each section. You can comp (combine) the best parts later. More takes = more options.
Stay hydrated. Drink room-temperature water (not cold) before and during sessions. Dry vocal cords sound thin and scratchy.
Close other browser tabs. Reduce CPU load by closing tabs you don't need. Audio processing is resource-intensive — give your browser everything it needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Recording Vocals at Home
Room treatment, mic placement, and session prep for home studio vocal recordings.
Gain Staging Explained
Set your levels right from the start. The foundation of every great recording.
Vocal Mixing Chain
The complete effect chain for polishing recorded vocals to release quality.
Start Recording — Free
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