How Do I Unleash My Mic's Full Potential?

[Accolade]

Alright so I just got a rode nt1 with a studio projects vtb1 preamp. Now the mic is great. But I can't get it anywhere to sound as amazing as it can. My former mic was a dynamic mic and that's pretty much all I know how to mix. I don't even know how to approach condensors. I use Cool Edit but I also have Cubase and Sound Forge among others. What should I do. Right now I'm just doing dynamic processing and reverb with normalization. It sounds good but not nearly as good as it can. My friend uses the exact same step up but his shit sounds about 1,000 times better. I'd ask him but he is on tour right now and I really don't have a way to contact him. How should I approach this? I'm lost I really need help.

[NYMorningstar]

The difference could be simply the room you are recording in. Try using different rooms or acoustically treat the room you now use. Get the sound right to begin with and you won't be needing effects and processing.

[Accolade]

there isn't another place i can put it. any other suggestions?

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by Accolade

Right now I'm just doing dynamic processing and reverb with normalization.

I have that mic and preamp. Fist off, I would recommend that you don't normalize a vocal track, ever. Second, how are you approaching the gain staging with the VTB-1? The SP page (http://www.studioprojects.com/vtb1.html) gives a decent description of how to do this if you scroll down to "For best tube-sound results." I never turn the toob up past about 1 o'clock, because it get's really ugly if you do. Make sure you're not clipping anywhere along your signal chain.

The room, as previously mentioned, becomes increasingly important with condenser mics. The NT1 is very sensitive and will pick up reflections if you don't treat the room. Hanging heavy blankets on the walls and/or on mic stands around where you are tracking will help some.

If you have a sound clip, we could perhaps give you more specific pointers.

[Accolade]

I think the problem might lay in the fact that I have the tube about alot, but regardless here is some examples. Unmixed and mixed.


Unmixed Vocal

Mixed Vocal

please don't download that unless your going to help, I don't have alot of bandwidth on that server. thanks

[scrubs]

Are you using a pop filter? That would be my first suggestion. You may even need two. The processing you've added is emphasizing the esses (sibilance). I would leave this voice pretty dry. Just a touch of room reverb and increase the predelay to 20-30ms or so. Also, experiment with different distances from the mic. Up close will give you more proximity effect (more bass and up-front quality), while further back will giver more ambience (less boomy and more room effect).

[Moonrider]

Ditto on the pop filter. Another thing you might try to reduce sibilance is singing slightly across the mic rather than straight into it.

[Accolade]

lol i'm using a pop filter. i guess that does need adressed. thanks for the advice.

[Dogman]

Something I did, and I am kind of loud, is turn the mic a little, so you are not pointing straight at the condensor. Put it slightly above or below your mouth.

[Accolade]

i'll try that.