Another problem....

[RobTob]

HI Guys,

Another problem i sometimes encounter is that a sort of 'tinny' resonance tags onto the end of my words...almost like a reverb that lasts momentarily but its quite audible. Any suggestions as to how i can clear this? Not ure if this is a result of not having the right balance between the sensitivity and input knobs.

Thanks

 

[tollbooth]

hi rob

can you post an audio sample, it might just be me, but i'm having trouble picturing it!

thanks

paul d

 

[RobTob]

Hi Pail..I'll see what i can do....basically, if you can imagine a sort of tinny echo trailing off my words..almost static-like in audibility..not sure if that heps..ill try putting a sample on...

Cheers
Rob

 

[manning1]

rob. if you are using a cheap sound card - what is it ?
you will need to pay carefull attention to the 2k to 8k region.
try some judicious eq cuts in this region using para eq.
search under my name for lots of usefull tips ive posted in the last year.
peace.

 

[RobTob]

problems...

Hi Manning1,

The sounds I'm experiencing are when I've recorded on the deck, the computer isn't even in the equation at the moment (which I presume you meant by reference to the sound card?) I will check out your postings. Thanks.

Cheers.

 

[In Tune Audio]

What is the room your recording in like. Could be a reflection of a wall, or music stand or such.

 

[RobTob]

The room is a fairly large spare bedroom..solid walls. I did wonder about the acoustics. I also thought it might be to do with the distance/s at which I speak into the mic..sometimes i record and there is no such noise. I guess I will just have to keep experimenting....at times like this wish i knoew a sound engineer!!

 

[manning1]

have you tried any acoustic treatment on the walls ?
are the walls just normal painted walls ?
what mic and mic pre or mixer are you using ?

 

[Farview]

What kind of mic is it? Some mics have a resonant case. You will only hear it if you are singing around the resonant frequency of the case, so it won't happen all the time. This is a problem in some cheap condensers.

 

[RobTob]

Hi,

No i haven't treated the walls..wouldn't know where to start!

I'm using a Boss BR1180 CD deck with an Electrovoice RE20 Dynamic cardioid Mic... The initial sound over the headphones seems to be good but I think its when it goes through one of the pre-set mastering stages that it changes in quality. Is there any way i can just increase the output volume at the outset (maybe without using the compressor) and thus retain the quality? The RE20 is a lip mic so i can use it close up without any pops or hisses...

Any advice???

Cheers

 

[cellardweller]

Had a vocalist friend, who insisted on singing while sitting, mic angled up as he sang 3 ft. from the floor. I was listening to an old track recorded in this fashion last night and noticed a kind of "ringing" that accompanied the end of each phrase, which I assume to be reflections from the floor.

I've heard quite a few people swear by just hanging some thick "moving blankets", comforters, or what have you... In lieu of more expensive treatment it might be of some help...

 

[RobTob]

Thanks cellardweller,

I was wondering about tryaing to create some sort of recording booth..large box with egg box type or materially insulated wall...I also wondered if the noise was actually a repercussion of the room I'm recording in....I'd once read that you could have a great recording studio and great mic but if your recording room is acoustically bad it can be a bit of a nightmare...maybe there's some truth in that.

Any ideas on increasing the volume at the outset?? As per my later messages on this posting?

Cheers

 

[cellardweller]

Very welcome, but don't take it as "gospel" truth.

I've never tried it myself (though I've been considering it lately), but it's a recurring suggestion for limiting vocal reflections.

 

[In Tune Audio]

When I started recording, it was in the spare bedroom idea as well. And I didn't get the same sound your describing, but did cause a lot of problems sonically. What I initially did was do the comfortor blacket idea that was mentioned earlier. It worked very well, and cost nothing. It killed a lot of the reflections.

Eventually what I did was make portable walls. I made some wood frames, and attached acoustical foam to them. I could move them anywhere I needed they worked great. Killed reflections, but because it was open with no material behind them, I didn't get a lot of that little room boxy sound.

You mentioned using egg carton material. Probably not the best idea, cardboard is fairly reflective. Which won't really help the problem. I had a few friends try the egg cartons, and they quickly disposed of them, didn't do what they were after.

 

[cellardweller]

Egg cartons=bad idea.

Here is an excellent article by Ethan Winer

Here is a good forum Ethan's forum

*edit* Also, the "Studio Building and display" forum, right here, is an invaluable store of information. Search around in there...

 

[Farview]

It could be that mastering preset you are using. If you are going to use compression, use something with a longer decay time. That will keep the sound of the room from rushing back up as soo as you stop singing.

 

[RobTob]

possible result....

Hi Guys,

I did a little experimentation today (well life's all about experimenting anyway) and I may have actually found a solution to the prob I'd been having with the vocals and that 'trailing tinny sound'. I got some of those mats you put down on your tent to lie on..one of them has thosancds of little sockets in it..a bit like if you had a huge egg carton for millions of tiny eggs. I then covered the top with another flat mat..and placed a comfort-type blanket in the bottom... It created a little booth.

Then I did some recording first of all out of the box, so to speak, and,still talking in the mic, gradually moved into the booth area (its small but its a start) and I noticed a distinct change in the sound quality..as I went into the booth the sound got 'deader' (the result I wanted). I then bounced the recording (without any effects added) and then went onto mastering..and to be honest the result sounds better without using any of the mastering pre-sets. Only thing is I can only use a compressor (to increase the volume) by using a pre-set (unless someone knows any different and how i can get around that..?).

If I continue gettng the results I want there then I think I'll build a booth I can sit in properly...but so far the materials I've used (spongelike and cotton blanket) seem to have helped. Any other advice gratefully received...