Can't get clear, crisp vocals

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marvey
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Marvey

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Hey guys,

I am having trouble getting a clear, crisp sound to my vocals. I am using a RODE K2 with a saffire 56 interface and it just doesn't sound professional - there is even some crackle and when I sing high notes, it just gets worse.

Any ideas how to fix this?

Thanks
 
Can't give you a solution, but others will probably need to know what software (DAW) you are using and what your computer specs are, if you have the ASIO4ALL drivers, etc.
 
Recording through Audacity. Can't seem to record through cubase.

Computer specs:

Sony VAIO VGN-C1Z/B - Core 2 Duo T5500 1.66 GHz - 13.3" TFT
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 / 1.66 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Cache Memory: 2 MB - L2 Cache
RAM: 1 GB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - 533 MHz ( 2 x 512 MB )
Hard Drive: 120 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Graphics Controller: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 TurboCache supporting 256MB
Operating System: Windows XP

Do not have ASIO4ALL drivers installed...
 
I know you're looking for answers instead of more questions, but I have to ask: What levels are you going for when you record? The reason I ask is because you're mentioning "crackle", which leads me to believe you might be trying to record too hot.
 
How many tracks are being processed at the time of recording? Not really a beefy or recent-ish computer. The one I have from 2007 has better specs, but not by much. 1.9GHz dual core. Shouldn't be an issue if you're keeping it simple.

I tend to be in the recording too hot category, but don't really know without a sample. You want your average level near -12dB. Your peaks near -6dB, and no higher than -3dB. If audacity's amplify effect is doing 0.0dB, you're way too hot on the capture. If it's > 10dB, then you're a bit low, but workable in most cases. I think that 0.5dB in audacity's default view is roughly equal to -5dB for a reference. But it's not a linear view (0.25 is -10dB?). As long as you're capturing in 24 bit, you should have enough headroom to make it work on the low side. If you're 16 bit and/or a noisy signal chain, you've got to run it a bit... risky... per say. Otherwise be conservative and add gain in post.

And other rigging that can help keep things from getting weird on you. Shock mount, pop filter, and such things.
 
Alternatively you can add some EQ to see if that helps. Just a flat slope to favor the high end is what I generally do. The low end tends to get hyped in most enclosed spaces and with proximity to the mic. And the high end tends to get de-hyped with fake fur, pop filters, and age (contamination). Plus not all mics are created equal. And there's a distance factor in there somewhere. At distance, high end rules the roost. It's why our warning sirens aren't big manly bass drums, but screaming girly things instead.
 
Probably need to turn everything down - and 1 gig of ram? invest the $50 for another gig
 
As long as you're not doing more than 2x out and 2x in, 1GB of RAM should suffice. As long as there's not NON-audio and NON-OS stuff running at the same time. Weatherbug? IM? Auto updates? Torrents? WoW / GH / Halo / ...... i.e. Your audio machine needs to be a dedicated audio machine at the time of capture. Or spend out the wahzoo for the top of the line model and STILL have to be conservative on some things.

Crackle is either a computer resource issue, a bad mic, and/or a bad cable. Or other interference issues. Or bad connection issues. Cell phone, CB, Ham radio, or whatever lives "near" you. But it depends on what someone is describing as "crackle"? Is your playback too hot for your speakers? Or is something actually in the track that comes across as bad audio?

But I guess it depends on how you define solved. Turn all the EQ in the world to 0 and your bad tracks are now null tracks. Problem solved.
 
Check to make sure you have your pc soundcard drivers disabled. Common issue. It could be as simple as that. I deleted anything related to the onboard soundcard. Another suggestion would be to try a different xlr cable if you havent yet. I really don't think your system specs are a problem. Maybe a little latency but it shouldnt have anything to do with crackle.
 
Marvey said:
Recording through Audacity. Can't seem to record through cubase.
Click to expand...

This quote shows that much research may be in your future. There are many things that must be set up first to enable recording. 'Crackle' as you have described, could be caused by many things, all based upon not understanding the initial setup and use of recording software. It could be as simple as a buffer setting or as tough as a optimization of computer performance setup depending on your experience with computers.

Post audio of the problem you are hearing and possibly we can identify the 'crackle' and direct you to the probable cause.
 
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