Distortion issue

[jaebaeli]

After recording 3 tracks and testing the sound quality by mixing down to PC through Audiograbber, i am hearing distortion on the hotter notes....it was not recorded this way- the recording was under the 6db on the meters.....

i did try to adjust the output from the Tascam, as well as volume on Audiograbber--none of these things seemed to solve the problem...could this be about shared frequency ranges?

i'm trying to figure out if this is a recording set up or in some way my method of mixing it down....

I'm using an MKIII with a Behringer B-1 studio mic powered by an ART Tube Preamp with limiter. This particular recording was done in a small closet:
Lead vocal direct on ch1
Rhythm guitar ambient on ch1
alto Backing vocal direct on ch2
unison/harmony/Backing vocal direct on ch3

Appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Jae
UPDATE::i'm trying Audacity for editing the mix, and have tried the noise reduction (that helped extra noise of course) and also the compression...i'm not well-versed in the terminology and uses of these editing tools--i still have clipping/distortion at some spots, and have no idea how to go about using the editing program to tone it down. Would appreciate some help or some website that has explanation of each editing device...the help that comes with it seems to assume knowledge i simply don't have.

 

[jaebaeli]

allow me to reply to my own post...i think i fixed the problem...
It was about the power of my tascam out signal. I pulled the master fader down to about 4, and then when it mixed to PC, the sound was okay. I still have not tested it on anything other than a jambox, and would like to experiment with turning volume up on different devices to see if it still sounds clear..but seems to have fixed the issue.

 

[studiodrum]

Hey Jae-b

How do you like that ART Tube Preamp with limiter. . . is it a descent clean signal for your vocals. . .what's the scoop! Thanks. .

 

[jaebaeli]

ART tube

Well so far i think it's great. It seems to be powerful enough that i have to turn down the input and output knobs to keep from peaking.
I think it was a good investment.

 

[studiodrum]

Thanks jaebaeli, . . !

So, any particular likes, or dislikes ,, and how does the ART Tube MP work on your vocals, . .does it give the vocals, and additional color, or warmth, . or is it just a descent pre-amp?

Thanks again!

 

[jaebaeli]

ART tube

Perhaps i'm not enough of a techie to give you that--i don't know how much of it is simply the mic i'm using (Behringer B-1) and how much is the amp. It seems to do just what it should, and i've had no problems with the vocals--like when i mix down to PC, i don't have to do much to the vocals. I usually just normalize the whole thing and get rid of some noise--usually just by sampling the front of the song...anyway, it's strong enough to pick up crickets outside, traffic, my dog smacking, and absolutely any movement in the booth...again-not sure if that's the mic or the amp or both. I think you would get a better answer from one of the techie guys on this...it's not my forté...sorry. I guess a good piece of equipment is one you don't "notice." Hope something i said helped.
Jae