Best Vocal Sound?

[Bobcat102122]

Hey folks, how are ya?


Im Wondering how I can achieve the best vocal sound with the least noise. To clarify on my idea of best, I mean I want a warm sound that really blends with the other tracks. I plan on recording "direct" to a sound card with a tascam 4track as my preamp/mixer. I was planning on using a Zoom pedal (not great idea, I know) for the reverberation, but i lost it, lol, so I am now considering the onboard DSP. Is there any special methods I can use to produce nice vocals? oh, by the way, I'm using an AKG emotion dynamic mic. It's all I got, so don't tell me to go buy a better mike please. Sorry so long, thanks!

PS. Will a windscreen or pop filter do me any good?

[Cyrokk]

Ok.. recording vocals is not one of my strong points.. but you will definately want to get a pop screen.. (or make one if you dont have the cash.. I've heard people make them with wire and panty hose of all things..) And if your vocal tracks are particularly dynamic you may want to look into using a compressor (either when tracking or mixing).. Other basic techniques involve singing closer to the mic during lower or softer singing.. and away from the mic during the higher or louder sections.. And of course with using mics youll want to experiment with the acoustics of the room and the mic placement etc.. Try the bathroom.. sometimes you can get a good sound out of them...

And remember, for godssakes try to be serious while you rock back and forth in the bathroom while singing into the pantyhose/wire contraption..

Cy

[tubedude]

Nice preamp. The one your using won't do exactly what you;d like it to. Sorry.

[chesterfield]

Bobcat........... buy a better mic Sorry, couldn't resist.

Some things you could try. First, record the vocal part twice. The 2 performances need to be nearly identical, and it may be difficult to sing that way, but if you can do it it will "thicken" the vocal. (If the two parts aren't very similar it will just sound weird - try it anyway, you might like it.) Try panning the two tracks left and right. I believe the Beatles did this in some of their early stuff.

If you have additional tracks available you can try copying the original performance to one or two additional tracks. Keep one track clean, and add reverb, delay, echo, whatever you like to the others - just don't overdo it. Again, pan the effects tracks to add depth. Hope this helps.

[blackbuck]

First, get a good or decent pre. You may want a compressor. I try to not use mine as much as possible but jeez it makes things easier. You'll be surprised what a difference the two can make.

Don't run the verb on the vocal for the initial take. Or set up a way to monitor yourself without it. The verb throws most people's pitch off. Experiment with where you are relative to the mic for sound. Honestly some prefer this and that but for me it depends on the song and what I'm after for it.