ADVICE needed:equipment one thing, setup another!

[cool#9]

"Qui va la j't'en prie?"



I own the following:

*Audio Technica AT4033A studio mic.
*Zoom Studio FX
*Behringer Eurorack MX2004A deck(16tracks-4Stereo+TapeIN;2stereoAUX;8INSERTS;3-way OUTputs: Mute, ControlRoom, MAIN)
*Behringer UltraPatch
*Behringer UltraGraph equalizer (2 channels)
*Behringer Virtualizer (x2) FX
*Behringer UltraVoicePro mic amp (1 channel)(compressor/expander/de-esser...)
*Behringer ComposerPro (2 channels) compressor/limiter/expander
*Boss GT6 (guitarFX)
*Zoom9002(guitarFX)
*500MHz, 384MB ram, Quantum FireBall II HDD,

Sound Blaster 5.1 (x2)
*Philips+Yamaha monitor speakers (2x(15W+15W) RMS).
*Teac CDRW drive.
*Cool Edit PRO 2, CubaseVST, Cakewalk...

My setup is as follows:

voice:
-Studio MIC to deck XLR input (+48V);
-equalizer into pre-amp(used as 'dynamics')

SEND-RETURN;
-pre-amp into MIC track INSERT;
-FX units x2 into AUX1-2;

instruments:
-GT6 into XLR input;
-COMPOSER into GT6 track INSERT;
-FX units x2 into AUX1-2 (used as pre-AMPs more

than anything);

All (pre-mixed) recordings are done using Cool Edit where I mixdown, hard limit and normalize the takes.

Although I find that the recording does not suffer much when it comes to instruments (though I believe SoundBlaster sound cards to be a let down in the setup!), the same cannot be said
about taking vocals, the main problem being the "sibilance" and the 'hows' to get rid of it or at least attenuate it considerably enough! I have been spending the last few months trying to get
it right (adjusting equalizer, opto de-esser and so on!) but I am really running outta alternatives...so is the singer! OUCH!

If any of you guys had any suggestions regarding first of all me setup (whether I got it right or wrong thus far, duh!), and secondly the "sibilance" problem, your help would be mostly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[TexRoadkill]

I dont understand your use of the term preamp in some of the descriptions.

Some general advice. Use the shortest path possible. I would take the EQ and mixer out of the chain and just use the Ultra Voice to Soundblaster line in.

If the desser isn't working than another mic may be your best bet. Some mics are more prone to siblance than others. Dynamic mics like the SM57 and 58 are less prone to it. I have the same problem and dynamics help my crappy singing and sibilance. Vocal effects like delay and reverb can also exaggerate sibilance if you dont roll off the highs on the effects return.

Get a better sound card. You have too much gear to not warrant $150-300 on a card that will greatly improve your entire sound.

Buy stock in Behringer because you seem to be having a direct influence on their revenue.

 

[cool#9]

sibilance coming at ya! Yeah right

"qui va la j't'en prie?"



Thanks for your reply and your suggestions TexRoadkill. Mucho appreciated here!

Anyway, I have omitted to say that I also own a SHURE SM58! Funny huh? I recorded a few times using it (along with the BlueTube) but ever since I got the condenser MIC I never bothered plugging the Shure in, but I guess I will give it a try!!

Wot I mean by pre-amps:
when it comes to recording instruments and the use of the GT6 and others. I use both FX units turning both the units MIX volume and the AUX to full.
When it comes to the VoicePRO, it acts as a pre-amp whether +48V is used or not.

You suggest my hooking up the VoicePRO straight into the soundcard (well, I get a new one for sure!!Delta1010 any good??).
Do you mean I split the VoicePRO OUTPUT, one feeding into the soundcard (DRY mix) and one into the deck(live mix)?? HEHE, I should have thought of that!

Behringer? I just love the stuff.....cant wait to get their monitor speakers (Truth) for that matter!


Thanks again for your tips.