vocal recording

[maxpayne]

i need advice,i recrod my vocals with acid 6,and everything sounds clear until i mix it down i hear clippings in some parts when i do the ad libs,any advice

[Kevin Deschwazi]

You need to give more detail; how you're recording, what you're using etc.

[Track Rat]

When you mix it down, don't let it clip.

[maxpayne]

i got my mic its a mxl 770,good vocie quality hooked to my preamp,and my pramp hooked up to my sound card,it all sounds good but when i do the background parts of the vocals it clips

[TelePaul]

This will sound silly but you've set the track to record properly yes? i.e setting the input level as loud as possible without hitting the red?

[maxpayne]

oh ok thanx

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Originally Posted by TelePaul

i.e setting the input level as loud as possible without hitting the red?

Why would anyone want to do that?

Headroom for mixdown and tracks that have no chance of clipping is the way to go.

[Dogbreath]

Yeah, I used to track just below clip but I read somewhere awhile back to track at around -20 or -15 and mix no higher than -12 or -10...Since I started tracking that way, my mixes are cleaner and the ME has a chance of polishing my turds...

[musicstew]

Check and consider every item in your audio chain.
This would include all inputs and outputs used.

Turn down your main faders, if the distortion goes away then you were over driving your outputs. If not then it is likely to be in your inputs.

It is possible your Microphone pre-amp can be over-driven with out your knowledge.

It is good to find the level where it peaks and then turn it down a bit more.
Less expensive gear will overdrive more easily.

Often many people will sing with less volume when doing a sound check then when actually recording part.

Also if you are a loud singer you can even cause your microphone to distort.
For hard rock or loud vocals sometimes it is better to use a dynamic microphone instead of a condenser.

Just check each item one by one and you will find the problem.

-Stew