Need Help, Please!

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chisao101

New member
Hey everyone!
Mike here...One quick question:
I just got my first mic (MXL 990), I'm using a presonus 22vsl (gold) interface, and I'm using Reaper to record.
The issue:
Everything I record through this setup has a lot of reverb, and some distortion.

Ok, so now the details...
I have not messed with any settings at all. I'm a complete beginner, so I just plugged everything in, added a track in Reaper, armed it, and hit record. Then I rendered the files out to a wav.

Since I'm a complete beginner, maybe I'm doing something totally wrong, but I would have no idea where to begin looking for the solution to the problem.
Please, anyone that can help, chime in here. Thanks!
 
Howdy Mike! Welcome.

Distortion is typically caused by a preamp/level issue. Though....

Reverb? Explain details about what the room is like you are recording in. Using a condenser mic in a room that has reflective walls can be tough. The mic will pick up all of that.

Posting a sample of what you recorded will be your best bet as far as getting direct responses. Also posting screen captures of your input level into Reaper will really help others to help you.

:)
 
jimmys69 said:
Howdy Mike! Welcome.

Distortion is typically caused by a preamp/level issue. Though....

Reverb? Explain details about what the room is like you are recording in. Using a condenser mic in a room that has reflective walls can be tough. The mic will pick up all of that.

Posting a sample of what you recorded will be your best bet as far as getting direct responses. Also posting screen captures of your input level into Reaper will really help others to help you.

:)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, jimmy.
I think I figured out the distortion, and you were absolutely correct. I had the input level too high on the interface. I turned it down and the distortion is gone.

The room is probably the main issue for the echo, as well. I just moved into a new house, and my music room is bard wood paneling at the moment. I'm looking into building some wall panels with owens corning 703 and a layer of egg crate foam taped with double sided tape, and then some type of cloth wrapping.
Does that sound like it might help?

Also, how would I go about posting an audio clip on here for you to review, if need be?

Again, thanks for your help :)
 
Already answered this in "new members introduce yourselves".

Ah well!

Dave.
 
chisao101 said:
Thanks for the reply, jimmy.
I think I figured out the distortion, and you were absolutely correct. I had the input level too high on the interface. I turned it down and the distortion is gone.

The room is probably the main issue for the echo, as well. I just moved into a new house, and my music room is bard wood paneling at the moment. I'm looking into building some wall panels with owens corning 703 and a layer of egg crate foam taped with double sided tape, and then some type of cloth wrapping.
Does that sound like it might help?

Also, how would I go about posting an audio clip on here for you to review, if need be?

Again, thanks for your help :)
Click to expand...

Good to hear Mike!

Room treatment is a tough thing to nail down as to what is best. Typically bass traps in corners and reduction of first reflections and that flutter echo are first order.

I must ask what you mean by 'egg crate foam'. That sounds like you may have watched very poor YouTube videos from the 80's. lol

There is much to be learned here before you spend money. The 'Studio Building & Acoustic' forum here is a great place to start.

To post an audio clip; Go to the 'Go Advanced' Tab when you reply. You will have option to 'Manage Attachments'. A window will pop up for you to Add Files/Browse/Upload.

Or you can just add a link to any streaming site you may have recordings on.

Welcome to the forum!
 
ecc83 said:
Already answered this in "new members introduce yourselves".

Ah well!

Dave.
Click to expand...

Haha, thanks ecc83!
I moved it over to here because I kinda thought it was bad form of me to post that type of question in the new members introduction thread. I'll go check out your answer over there :)
 
jimmys69 said:
Good to hear Mike!

Room treatment is a tough thing to nail down as to what is best. Typically bass traps in corners and reduction of first reflections and that flutter echo are first order.

I must ask what you mean by 'egg crate foam'. That sounds like you may have watched very poor YouTube videos from the 80's. lol

There is much to be learned here before you spend money. The 'Studio Building & Acoustic' forum here is a great place to start.

To post an audio clip; Go to the 'Go Advanced' Tab when you reply. You will have option to 'Manage Attachments'. A window will pop up for you to Add Files/Browse/Upload.

Or you can just add a link to any streaming site you may have recordings on.

Welcome to the forum!
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks! I'll check the other forum you suggested.
The egg crate foam is just what I call the stuff you see on vocal booth walls. I think it's call aurolex or something like that.
 
chisao101 said:
Awesome, thanks! I'll check the other forum you suggested.
The egg crate foam is just what I call the stuff you see on vocal booth walls. I think it's call aurolex or something like that.
Click to expand...

Auralex is great for spot treatment of flutter echo. It is also way expensive and not the best for most situations. Well, not the important ones anyway.

What are the dimensions of the room you will be recording in/treating?
 
jimmys69 said:
Auralex is great for spot treatment of flutter echo. It is also way expensive and not the best for most situations. Well, not the important ones anyway.

What are the dimensions of the room you will be recording in/treating?
Click to expand...

Room dimensions are 15' x 13'
There is a double paned glass exterior door that leads to my back deck, an interior door leading to the hallway, and another interior door leading to the kitchen.
I had planned on handing a curtain rod over the exterior doorway, and hanging something along the lines of packing blankets whenever I'm recording. I'll do a bit more reading before making that decision, though. I have zero experience with this stuff, so I'm glad you guys are here to help. It's not as easy as it looks, figuring all this stuff out...lol
 
Cool man. At least you are not in a 8x8' box.

Next will be for you to decide what your budget is based on what you learn. And what you feel is necessary for 'you'.

Some of us take things way more seriously than others. It really depends upon how far/much you want to get into in order to make recordings that satisfy yourself.

In any case, knowing the 'why and how' possibilities will allow you to make educated decisions.

Good lord, that sounded really weird. I must be getting old.... lol!
 
Well, it looks like the first step is some bass traps for the corners. I'll start collecting materials for that, and then go from there.
Thanks for all your help!
 
chisao101 said:
Haha, thanks ecc83!
I moved it over to here because I kinda thought it was bad form of me to post that type of question in the new members introduction thread. I'll go check out your answer over there :)
Click to expand...

No worries!
So long as we all knows what we are at, all cool.

Dave.
 
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