A little vocal technique advice...

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russtafari

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Hey what's up? I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on my vocal quality? I use a SM57 mic, I apply a compressor the the vocal to keep it from going all over the place and also boost around the 5k area on the EQ to make the words a little easier to understand. I am wondering if anyone has any tips for me to get these vocals sounding better or if you think they sound good let me know also. Thanks!

You can listen to a few tracks at my MySpace site
 
sounds like you got the right idea... Only thing I could suggest if you're not happy w/ the vox is to try an LDC mic. The 57's start droppin' around 15khz so you may be losing some of that high end shimmer that cuts through a mix.
 
what kind of preamp do you have, what kind of cables, etc
 
I don't use a preamp. I just run the mic through my Behringer UB802 mixer to my computer. From the mixer to the computer is RCAs and to the mixer from the mic is just your average XLR cable.
 
That mixer has a preamp built in. Almost any mixer will. They may not be very good compared to outboard pre's, but even so, it is a preamp.

As already said, definitely try a LDC. It works much better for vocals most of the time.
 
Ok now help me out on finding an LDC. I searched on musiciansfriend but the only results were drum parts.
 
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I would think trying a mic with some more top end would be worth a try - a Sennheiser E835 is cheaper than an SM57 and might do the trick for you ... or any number of other dynamics and LDCs.
 
Ahh I'm a fool I just realized by LDC that was an abreviation of Large Diaphram Condenser. My bad. Oh yeah I'm looking to get one but my budget is pretty low.
 
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russtafari said:
Hey what's up? I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on my vocal quality? I use a SM57 mic, I apply a compressor the the vocal to keep it from going all over the place and also boost around the 5k area on the EQ to make the words a little easier to understand. I am wondering if anyone has any tips for me to get these vocals sounding better or if you think they sound good let me know also. Thanks!

You can listen to a few tracks at my MySpace site
Click to expand...


well unfortunately,


If you're picky with the quality you want, you might have to find a studio equipped with some selection of mics and preamps so you can experiment. That's if this project is that serious.

If not, try different mic placement and different setups in the room. Avoid compressing unless it's way out of control. 2:1 is about as much as I'd go on tracking. Then other standard stuff:

breathing
your relationship with the mic (how you sing into it)

etc.
 
A good LDC for the low budget is the Studio Projects B1. I buy them for the studio I work at and everyone loves them. And when they get stolen (we work with a lot of high school rappers :rolleyes: ) no one cries.

Get a pop filter, too. The LDC are way more sensitive than your 57.

Some other suggestions:

- Cut a little 500 hz or so. Especially if you are eating that mic like most singers do. The closer you are to the mic the more bassy it sounds. Great if you are a radio personality...

- Many hip hop produca's take a little while to learn the basics of mixing. I listened to a little of Gas Prices and your "beep boooeeee" sound is competing heavily with your vocal tracks. Most beat makers make their beats like perfect mixs... everything sounds balanced and right... and magically expect the vocals to sit in perfectly later. They hardly ever do. If you can, mix your beat elements WITH your vocals so you can give them the space they need to be heard.

- You're boosting 5k on your voice, right? Try cutting some 5k on the loudest elements of your beat. See what that does?

- You've got 2 speakers: use 'em. Move some elements of your beat off center. This frees up space for the vocals as well. Even the bass can be moved a hair off center.

- I wasn't able to listen to much with my slow phone line, but from what I heard you're on the right track. When you double up your vocals, do it WELL. Make sure the parts are *really* close to each other or they'll smear your words and make them hard to understand. Try panning your backing vocals off center, as well.

Have fun,
Chris
 
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