Radio quality? ...or back to the basement?

[nuemes]

http://www.myspace.com/nuemes

Recorded as follows:

Vocal & Seagull acoustic > AKG C414 > Avalon M5 > Ensoniq DP4 (compression & gate) > ADAT > CD mixdown

Advice?

[Dogman]

I wouldn't go back to the basement. cellerdwellar hangs out there, and he's pretty scary looking.
Actually, the song is pretty good. Vocals are a bit out front, but maybe that is what you wanted? Voice is unique, and fits this song very well.
Ed

[xfinsterx]

It sounds like a demo.

Its a little boxy is what that translates too.

Which by the Jack Johnson standard of recording is a-ok.

But it sounds like if the acoustic were recorded in a more flattering environment it would shine a bit more.

Vocals seem a tad up front for my taste too.

If you do re-track it, try heading away from the basement and into a room with wooden floors perhaps.

[noodles2k5]

Too Dave Matthews-ish for my taste. Vocals are too loud.

[nuemes]

Originally Posted by xfinsterx

If you do re-track it, try heading away from the basement and into a room with wooden floors perhaps.

Unfortunately I don't have wooden floors to use anywhere in the house. The room the recording was made in is a 8x9 carpeted room. The walls are covered mostly with carpet, a little exposed cement and a wooden ceiling. Redoing the flooring isn't realistic at this time. I'm thinking that the next best bet would be to add as many reflective surfaces to the room as possible such as mirrors and glass hung on the walls.

[livilaNic]

Originally Posted by nuemes

Unfortunately I don't have wooden floors to use anywhere in the house. The room the recording was made in is a 8x9 carpeted room. The walls are covered mostly with carpet, a little exposed cement and a wooden ceiling. Redoing the flooring isn't realistic at this time. I'm thinking that the next best bet would be to add as many reflective surfaces to the room as possible such as mirrors and glass hung on the walls.

I've heard mirrors reflect images?

But, is it really helpful for acoustics?

Or w/e your trying to accomplish?

Beauty contest?

[Spaztic]

I hear what you guys mean by vocals sound a bit to much up front. Just curious, how to you push them back more to sound better in the mix?

[livilaNic]

Originally Posted by Spaztic

I hear what you guys mean by vocals sound a bit to much up front. Just curious, how to you push them back more to sound better in the mix?

Maybe, reverb, compression, panning? I have no clue? o_O

[nuemes]

[QUOTE=livilaNic]I've heard mirrors reflect images? But, is it really helpful for acoustics?QUOTE]

Yes, mirrors will reflect the sound more than the carpeting that currently covers the walls.

[nuemes]

Originally Posted by Spaztic

I hear what you guys mean by vocals sound a bit to much up front. Just curious, how to you push them back more to sound better in the mix?

#1 would be lowering the volume. Otherwise reverb can bring a voice further back into the mix. This song was recorded dry (without effects) on purpose though as my goal was to get the best sonic quality over anything else. Reverb can always be added after the recording has been completed.

[firetech]

Haha! Cool! It really does remind me a little of Bob Dylan during the late 1970s trying to cover a Dave Matthews or Ben Harper song.

I actually like how it's a nearly unmodified recording. No unneeded effects. Today's popular music is so laden with processed sound that people forget what it sounds like to have just an instrument and a voice. It takes real musical talent to be able to record a song with just an acoustic guitar or 2 and your voice and have it sound decent. It's a real measure of talent IMO.

The other issue with popular music resting so heavily on computerized effects is that budding musicians trying to do home recordings automatically get the urge to go all out on the effects and end up turning their mix into a piece of Computer-trash when all the while it would sound better with just a simple mic up of the guitar and vocals.

I like that your voice is way up front. I wouldn't tone it down any more than it is. That's where the heart of the song is and that's where you should keep it. You're voice is really unique, it gives you a strong identity and I think it should be up front.

Also, I didn't know myspace.com had a musician thing on it. That's pretty cool! Thanks for showing me that (even though it was involuntary :P). However, I'm really not a big fan of that whole community, but it's cool that they've got a chunk of it sectioned off for musicians.

I agree with some of the others in that the recording sounds a little dry and boxy. If you've got the means, get a more interesting mic combination/positioning on your guitty, EQ them accordingly so they compliment each other, and blend one a good bit left and the other right. That'll create a much more thick and in-the-room guitar sound from my experience.

Keep it up!

[xfinsterx]

Originally Posted by nuemes

Unfortunately I don't have wooden floors to use anywhere in the house. The room the recording was made in is a 8x9 carpeted room. The walls are covered mostly with carpet, a little exposed cement and a wooden ceiling. Redoing the flooring isn't realistic at this time. I'm thinking that the next best bet would be to add as many reflective surfaces to the room as possible such as mirrors and glass hung on the walls.

Wha, you mean you dont even have like kitchen linolieum or time in the bathroom or nothin??

Cauce any of those would be big help.

And btw, glass is a crppy reflective surface.

[firetech]

I just have to say since I've posted I've listened to your song over and over again (5 or 6 times). At first it didn't do a whole lot for me, but it really grew on me. I really actually like it a lot now :-)

A few things to think about when you're recording vocals/singing in general:
1) Try and keep your voice from getting nasal-y. When you sing "Run run. Run Run. Run run and be free" after the chorus, it's gorgeous. But, for example, when you say the word "fucked" it sounds like it's coming through your nose.

2) Try singing with your head tilted up some. That might help you be slightly more accurate on hitting those notes perfectly (you've got most of em pretty damned well already).

3) Keep working on that falsetto voice. Practice with it a lot to get more accurate when you switch back and forth from hitting those high notes. And keep using it in your songs. It's essential to your sound and goes really well. :-)

I'd really love to hear some really light percussion bleeding into the guitar sound... or maybe some acoustic bass guitar if you have access to that! Just some ideas!

[scottboyher]

Let me say up front .... You have talent.. Great voice..

It has the demo sound...

You have great talent.. You are 90% the way there...

[nuemes]

Thanks to each of you for your insights. Just so it's clear I'm not the singer/songwriter; only the recordist. I plan to pass on your vocal recommendations firetech; sounds like great advice - thank you.

It sounds like the main issue on the recording itself is the room it was recorded in. If I put the singer in a more appropriate room (outside the basement such as in the kitchen) I'd loose all the attempted sound proofing in the basement and open the recording up to outside noise that enters the kitchen from the street which could lead to more serious problems... I'll give it a shot on Monday when he's back in and see how it goes and post the new recording here.

Thanks again for your all of your input!

[bknot1]

just lower the volume on you vocals and it will be great..but if its for radio play the hig volume will work find..good job IMO..

[shookiejones]

Were the vocals and guitar recorded at the same time?

If you're going for that "demo" lo fi sound then this is going to work, but if you're trying to actually be "radio" friendly here, then you should work on a few things.

If it's the latter then I would record the guitar and vocals seperately. You can get some better mic placement. It seems that's what's probably effecting the recording first and foremost.
Second...It seems like the compression is giving it a harsh edge. Have you tried recording with out compression in the chain?
It may be tough riding the faders for the vocals but the guitar is very controlled without alot of dynamic parts. So you may be alright.

It's sounds like this guy could probably rip a few takes without too much trouble - try expertimenting without the compression and see what happens.

And if you were indeed looking for that lo-fi basement sound - then you got it and you can ignore everything I said!

[Cndn_Gtr_Guy]

Originally Posted by nuemes

Thanks to each of you for your insights. Just so it's clear I'm not the singer/songwriter; only the recordist. I plan to pass on your vocal recommendations firetech; sounds like great advice - thank you.

Tell whoever did write and perform it that it's one hell of a good song....

[giraffe]

hang carpet, egg-crate foam, blankets, throw out your current reverb unit
(if you used one) i rather no reverb than bad reverb

i DO like the sound, but no it does not sound pro

[nuemes]

Originally Posted by shookiejones

Were the vocals and guitar recorded at the same time?
If it's the latter then I would record the guitar and vocals seperately. You can get some better mic placement. Second...It seems like the compression is giving it a harsh edge. Have you tried recording with out compression in the chain?

Yes, the guitar & vocal were recorded at the same time using an AKG C414. I'd like to add another mic too but there's a technical issue in doing so: I only have one high quality preamp; an Avalon M5. If I introduce another mic it would have to be through a Mackie ProVLZ preamp which would reduce the quality of the sound.

The artist is back in tomorrow; I'll try recording without compression (and in the kitchen with a second mic) and repost. Thanks!