We talked to Mike Chen, who's produced tracks for independent artists across three continents, about his unconventional vocal recording setup.

What's your actual recording space?

A walk-in closet lined with moving blankets. Total investment was around $80 for the blankets and some Command hooks. The clothes already in there absorb reflections better than foam panels I've tested.

What microphone do you use?

Audio-Technica AT2035. It's $149 and handles everything from whispered vocals to belting. I've compared it blind against a $1,200 Neumann for clients, and most couldn't tell the difference in a full mix.

Any processing tricks?

High-pass filter at 80Hz removes rumble. I record at -18dB to -15dB peak levels, leaving headroom for mixing. The key is controlling the source, not fixing problems later with plugins.

Biggest misconception?

That you need acoustic treatment everywhere. You just need it where the microphone is. Four square feet of blankets beats an untreated large room every time.