Cannot reach the potentinal I have...

[Dras]

I prob need to start from scratch of everything I have

Program: Cool Edit Pro 2.0 (through this I use Waves Plugins)
Mic: AKG Perception 200
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/DrasticMeasurez/AKGPerception200.jpg
Interface: Presonus Firebox
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/DrasticMeasurez/PresounsFirebox.jpg
Compressor: Presonus Comp16
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/DrasticMeasurez/PresonusComp16.jpg
Preamp: Presonus Tube Pre
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/DrasticMeasurez/PresonusTubePre.jpg
EQ: Behringer Ultragraph Pro
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/DrasticMeasurez/BehringerUltragraphPro.jpg
Monitors: M-Audio Studiopro III


Picture of full setup:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/DrasticMeasurez/DSC01880.jpg

I cannot get satisfied with the quality im putting out and im kind of clueless to the EQ and how to work it. Im a hip-hop head and I only do vocals over beats so im kinda loud and through all this i can easily get the loud and soft in my vocals. But editing and adjusting everything is my problem. I don't know if I should switch programs or buy something else....but I think I have enough. What i've been doing in the past with my old mic...(MXL 2001) after every vocal:

Waves: C4 ---> Voiceover
Waves: S1 Shuffler ---> S1 Subtle Improved Imager
Cool Edit Pro: Reverb ---> Tight & Close (or a custom one I had)

Then i'd eq'ed a bit and it sounded decent.

I recently purchased the Mic and the Ultragraph and its not cutting it, plus I barely notice any difference just moving the levels around on the ultragraph.

Im sure most of you are familar with the presonus setup so any help of how to balance that would be thankful.......actually any help at all would be thankful...lol

- Dras

 

[Massive Master]

Without getting in depth, you are hardly going to hear what's going on with any semblance of accuracy up against a corner - An untreated corner at that.

 

[soundchaser59]

Yes, do not underestimate the power of the dark side of the room...... invisible, and deadly to quality sound. Room treatment is a must.

Otherwise, the best tip I ever got was, "Learn to walk on water with the gear you have." If you cant get better sound with what you have, buying more gear wont help..... Master what you have first, and dont buy better stuff until you know you have reached the limits of what you already have.....

 

[Dras]

Yes, do not underestimate the power of the dark side of the room...... invisible, and deadly to quality sound. Room treatment is a must.

Otherwise, the best tip I ever got was, "Learn to walk on water with the gear you have." If you cant get better sound with what you have, buying more gear wont help..... Master what you have first, and dont buy better stuff until you know you have reached the limits of what you already have.....

Im pretty good with the Interface, Compressor and Pre........EQ'ing is something i'd like help on as far as just having a preset for vocals i can just keep it on.

And what is the best things to use in Waves and Cool Edit Pro, being i've been doing the same shit for years now.

 

[FALKEN]

i think what they are saying is if you move the mic to another spot in the room you might not need the eq. *but* for a general starting place for the eq, just turn up the mix loud and try to hear which parts are getting in the way..is the the bass of your voice muddying things up? cut that. is there too much sibiliance? cut that. that's pretty much it. you just want the vocal to be even..or...'equal' across all of the frequencies. or at least to sound that way when you put it over the beat.

 

[Dras]

^ alright thanks man, im looking at this stuff right now setting everything

BTW, in between using Waves and Cool Edit Pro.......what is the best preset compressor to use?

 

[superbeatballer]

Picture of full setup:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/DrasticMeasurez/DSC01880.jpg

Moving your workstation over to the left so your computer monitor is in line with that lightswitch would be a good start. You'll still make good use of that HVAC vent.

 

[FALKEN]

hmm...waves and cool edit pro eh? did you actually buy waves without knowing how to use any of the plugs? really any plugin will do the job.

 

[legionserial]

Preset is a curse word round these here parts...for a good reason.

 

[cephus]

Improved resolution can sometimes just expose more flaws. I hate it when that happens. Some kinds of music are easier to record than others.

 

[Dras]

hmm...waves and cool edit pro eh? did you actually buy waves without knowing how to use any of the plugs? really any plugin will do the job.

Actually I um..... shhh.

 

[Massive Master]

BTW, in between using Waves and Cool Edit Pro.......what is the best preset compressor to use?

(Insert sound of head banging repeatedly on desk here)

 

[FALKEN]

I suggest getting rid of waves then and finding some free plugins that will do the job just as well. do a search here. then come back and ask about those plugins. I think you will get a better response. my .02.

 

[BigRay]

Actually I um..... shhh.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH

PIRATE

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

(Insert sound of head banging repeatedly on desk here)

Hey John, what plugin do you use on the insert to get that sound?

G.

 

[fraserhutch]

Hey John, what plugin do you use on the insert to get that sound?

G.

Whichever it is, I bet it ain't set to a preset

 

[jonnyc]

Actually I um..... shhh.

Dude, delete the plugs or leave. No, I'm not the boss but I'm sick and tired of rappers stealing plugs. I know it's not just rappers but they seem to bust themselves more often than not. Just incase this isn't clear, besides claiming someones work or studio as your own, this is about the worst sin you can commit in the recording world. Seriously dude, grow up and stop stealing shit.

 

[Massive Master]

Hey John, what plugin do you use on the insert to get that sound?

G.

The "Precision Multiband Noggin Annihilator" -- It's in beta right now...

 

[jonnyc]

The "Precision Multiband Noggin Annihilator" -- It's in beta right now...

maul-the-band. Your words, not mine.

 

[Dras]

Dude, delete the plugs or leave. No, I'm not the boss but I'm sick and tired of rappers stealing plugs. I know it's not just rappers but they seem to bust themselves more often than not. Just incase this isn't clear, besides claiming someones work or studio as your own, this is about the worst sin you can commit in the recording world. Seriously dude, grow up and stop stealing shit.

Dont fuckin come with me with this bullshit. Ok? I didnt start anything with anyone and dont classify rappers.......I bet if you could say n *****s" you would......you fuckin crackers think yall got it made. So what if i stole every piece of equipment I had? Im still going to do my thing and theres not a damn thing you can do.