Gal needs mic help

[annababy]

Hello i am a female rapper and singer i have been recording my songs using an usb mic. I am very knowledgable in mixing yet still my vocals do not
sound like the pros it sounds very generic even with the proper compression reverb etc settings its missing that crisp sound. I was going to get a babybottle mic with a presonusus firebox interface but I am scared that my vocals will still sound generic. will the vocals sound crisp with a real mic again mixing is not an issue as make my own r&b tracks beats but mixing vocals i need help with thanks guys

 

[mshilarious]

I wouldn't pick the Baby Bottle for crisp. It's really pretty dark. Try a Shure KSM32 or KSM44, see if you like one of those.

 

[Seafroggys]

If your vocals sound generic, then perhaps your vocals are generic.

 

[ez_willis]

If your vocals sound generic, then perhaps your vocals are generic.

right, because there's really no reason that you shouldn't be able to get crisp, pro sounding tracks with a usb mic. :sarcastic:

 

[kojdogg]

I wouldn't pick the Baby Bottle for crisp. It's really pretty dark. Try a Shure KSM32 or KSM44, see if you like one of those.

By reputation the Latvian ones are darker and more midrangey, but the ones made in Cali are a bit crisper. That's one of the few BLUE non-tube condensers I haven't personally owned though...

 

[Seafroggys]

right, because there's really no reason that you shouldn't be able to get crisp, pro sounding tracks with a usb mic. :sarcastic:

And a USB mic will make your vocals sound generic?

 

[ez_willis]

And a USB mic will make your vocals sound generic?

yes, it will make the recording SOUND generic which is why she wants to replace her mic.

I know what you meant.

 

[kojdogg]

And a USB mic will make your vocals sound generic?

I've listened to and participated in a lot of home recordings-- many with some very decent gear. There have been times that I wished the vocals would just sound "generic" rather than "terrible, but very distinctive." That seems to be one of the main purposes of Autotune after all. I'll have to grab a USB mic for the next time my vocals get too "unique."

 

[PhilGood]

Before we go on, perhaps it would be a helpful to know just what USB mic you're using? Chances are you are using one that is not a large diaphragm condenser. Either way you should probably step away from using a USB mic. The converters in those things are cheap.

 

[antichef]

Also, if you can post a sample of a recording (and mention what you don't like about it specifically), that might help.

 

[darrin_h2000]

I think MS was right on about the shures...depending on who you might want to sound like on record and who you think you sound like...you can try to find out what she is using...Ill mostly recommend a big dynamic for hip hop...but something smooth for a soul singer..the KSM32 is pretty smooth.

from there you might go with a nice preamp that will sound soulful...an avalon 737 is good for that...but if you are on a budget you can get a modeler that will have the sound in the Line6 UX2.

 

[dgatwood]

All good suggestions. I'd probably suggest spending a few bucks more for the Edirol FA66. IMHO, their hardware is more reliable and better designed than Presonus. Just my $0.02.

 

[Supercreep]

Hello i am a female rapper and singer i have been recording my songs using an usb mic. I am very knowledgable in mixing yet still my vocals do not
sound like the pros it sounds very generic even with the proper compression reverb etc settings its missing that crisp sound. I was going to get a babybottle mic with a presonusus firebox interface but I am scared that my vocals will still sound generic. will the vocals sound crisp with a real mic again mixing is not an issue as make my own r&b tracks beats but mixing vocals i need help with thanks guys

annababy -

Can you post a sample of a vocal that you aren't happy with?

Then we can have a better idea of what's going on. Generic is a fairly unusual term to describe a vocal sound.

 

[darrin_h2000]

All good suggestions. I'd probably suggest spending a few bucks more for the Edirol FA66. IMHO, their hardware is more reliable and better designed than Presonus. Just my $0.02.

Whos gear isnt better than Presonus...lol.

 

[annababy]

yes well basically i want to sound like the people on radio example nas jay-z missy any rap musician my records start off good like with the beat your like wow this sounds official but then the vocals hit and you can tell i recorded it at home sounds kinda like im using a tape recorder but without the noise and hums in the background. i am using an audio techniqa at2020 usb version though i hear the regular version is much better.

 

[Supercreep]

i want to sound like the people on radio example nas jay-z missy

You will need a new mic, an interface with preamplifier, and decent compressor and verb plugs to get close. Well, talent helps a lot.

 

[darrin_h2000]

A male voice might help...lol.

 

[mattr]

but then the vocals hit and you can tell i recorded it at home sounds kinda like im using a tape recorder but without the noise and hums in the background.

Maybe you should be looking at your room acoustics or maybe even something as simple as mic placement or technique.

A 'better' (or as we're talking at the moment, more expensive, which doesn't necessary correlate with what is "best", i.e. most appropriate) probably won't sound as vastly different as you might hope. USB mics certainly aren't ideal, but if I can't get acceptable results with an AT2020 then a KSM32 may not be any better.

If the core sounds are right - your vocals, your room and your technique - then that should get you 85% of the way.

 

[dgatwood]

Whos gear isnt better than Presonus...lol.

I can think of many manufacturers that are worse, actually.... Presonus is usually prosumer quality or better. That particular device, however, violates the 1394b spec something fierce....

 

[Shadow_7]

I think you could probably get by with a better converter. The cheap one that comes on many usb mics isn't even as good as the one built onto your motherboard. And those are generally hideous. There's a noticeable difference between dull and in your face when making the change from my laptops onboard to mobile pre to delta 44 to mr-1000. Things don't really start sounding in your face until I use the 44 or better. Same mics, cables, yada yada yada. And the 44 isn't all that great.

A decent mic and talent helps too.