Cannot Squash The Vocals Enough

[NYMorningstar]

Thanks everyone so much for replying. I appreciate it more than I can say.

I use a condenser mic for the vocals.

mic into amp
amp output into RNC input
RNC output into amp input
amp into Tascam

I just record in my basement...nothing special about the room, except it is large enough for me to use everything.

Someone mentioned using a limiter...no one ever told me about that before. Could that have anything to do with it?

The condensor is probably picking up alot of the room sound which probably sucks because it is untreated especially if you are monitoring in the same room while recording. Try sound treating your room or using a homemade vocal booth. What genre of music are you doing? Do you really need a compressor?

 

[boingoman]

Yes, you're right. I didn't realize the RNC was being used as an insert. Makes sense now. I thought everything was in series with 2 amps involved.

It took me a minute to sort it out too.

Sorry you couldn't make it to the Rush show. Maybe not, though, it was the worst sounding concert I've ever seen. All kick drum, with this high screechy sound that I think was Geddy's voice coming out every once in awhile. Maybe their soundguy should read this thread.

 

[mixsit]

...worst sounding concert I've ever seen. All kick drum, with this high screechy sound that I think was Geddy's voice coming out every once in awhile. Maybe their soundguy should read this thread.

Isn't that the thing now, see how big my dic... er kick is?

 

[justinm.]

The condensor is probably picking up alot of the room sound which probably sucks because it is untreated especially if you are monitoring in the same room while recording. Try sound treating your room or using a homemade vocal booth. What genre of music are you doing? Do you really need a compressor?

Yes...you are right about the condensor picking up room sound. I like the sound of the instruments through the compressor, but unfortunately it picks up more noise. I thought a compressor was needed for vocals to get them to sound all one level like on albums. It helps, but I assumed it was the final answer. A friend mentioned a limiter might help, but he doesn't record and is not in a band.

The genre...maybe rock, pop, punk, alternative? I don't really understand what labels mean anymore. I thought compression was necessary no matter what...but I'm new.

 

[NYMorningstar]

I like the sound of the instruments through the compressor, but unfortunately it picks up more noise. I thought a compressor was needed for vocals to get them to sound all one level like on albums. .

Using the compressor for an effect is cool if you like the sound but it's probabvly not the problem with picking up noise. That would be related more to the type of mic you are using and the room being untreated IMHO.

You can also use compression to control the dynamics in your mix like you said. It can be used for vocals "to get them to sound all one level like on albums" or to get a little added punch with the percussion. The common problem with that is you end up with a mix with very little or no dynamics. To the listener that gets tiring and boring to listen to.

It's better but not always possible to get the musicians to work together, to respect each other and not drown out each others quiet parts.

You might want to try a unidirectional microphone because they are good at rejecting sounds from other directions. The problem with them is the cheaper ones tend to have more coloration than omnidirectionals and they also suffer from low-frequency roll-off. An easier solution would be to throw a SM57 in front of your singer and have him sing real close to it.

 

[boingoman]

I like the sound of the instruments through the compressor, but unfortunately it picks up more noise.

Yup. One of the uses of a compressor is to bring up the average level of the signal. This means the noise floor comes up as well. That's why you want to make sure your system noise is a low as possible, and that you record in a friendly-sounding environment.