Vocal distortion

[Rev E]

Rusty,

It may be that the backgrounds are distorting on the mixer inputs or at the mics. Check each one the next time you record. In live environments sometimes there's so much going on that the levels are too high at the microphone or there's too much coming to the mixer.

You may want to try turning down the gain to the background channels at the mixer or getting better mic position (if using a cardiod pattern point the dead spot to sounds you want to reject). I hope this helps.

Since you've already recorded the demo, you may have to live with it or do it again.

Rev E

[This message has been edited by Rev E (edited 03-13-2000).]

[Rusty K]

If there is a limit on number of posts here I must be about there. I'm learning so much though.

I've been mixing a live 2trac digital demo. Something has me stumped. I've learned already to be conservative with volume in the digital format so I usually ere on the down side. With that in mind how is it that vocals, even background ooo's and ahh's are, in certain segments, distorting. I'm keeping the overall siginal way below redline. Could it be in the low mid/mid range?

As always thanks,
Rusty

[Rusty K]

Rev E,

Thanks but I don't really think it's in the recording because I don't hear it on the raw tracs at least I don't remember hearing it. I really think it's something I'm adding in editing.

Perhaps distortion is an inaccurate description maybe it's more like harmonic resonance. What frequency range do vocals fall in?

Rusty K

[Rusty K]

Ok Sonusman,

We meet again! You're killing me man. So I need something better than Goldwave. I've got to make it work somehow for the present time. My wife will kill me if I buy anything else! Should I just limit the amount of prosessing I do? I thought I was doing that. No effects. I did use parametric EQ, compression and noise reduction. Also volume maximize. I know the article on dithering you had me read mentioned that I shouldn't. That was after my latest mix.

How about this: I use EQ, It helped me get rid of string noise, and I compress to kind of bring the sound together a little? I'll live without noise reduction and vol max.

And I'll save my pennies!

Thanks,
Rusty

[Rusty K]

Oh yeah, Sonusman,

Are the digital filters in the sound card or were you talking about software?

Rusty K

[Rusty K]

Oh I think I get it the filters are software and the converters are sound card. I'm working on that one.

R