getting good vocals

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stuiemusic

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im try ing to record lead vocals in my home studio but i cant get a good sound. iv got a AKG c 2000 mic going into a behringer eurorack MX2642a with comp inserted then to my ROLAND vs1680 to record the best way i can explain the sound i get is that it sounds like im singing into a big tube or box
im in a loft conversion so i have sloping walls(could this be a problem)the room is quite small and i have hung up a duvet on one of the walls to deaden the room a bit(do i need to deaden it more) if any one could help that would be cool
thanks
 
Troubleshoot. Start at the beginning of the chain, and trace it link by link.

1. Does your singer sound good in the room? No boxy or tubey tone present in the environment before the mic? Good.

2. AKG2000. I'll reserve comment. Got any other mics? Don't assume that your most expensive is the best choice for that voice. Not always true.

3. Eurorack. I won't reserve comment. Skip it. Honestly. No knock on Behringer, but spare yourself the aggravation and unclutter the signal path. You can always compress the vocal after the fact. You can not, however, undo the effects of compression printed while tracking, and you may find later that you wish you could.

4. 1680. Skipping the Eurorack then, plug your mic cable into the mic pre on the 1680, taking care to set your input trim to the sweet spot between a strong signal and too much added noise.

5. Monitoring. You did not tell us how your listening to the playback. Does it otherwise sound boxy or tubey?

6. If all else fails, find an assistant to blame. Let us know the results. Cheers!
-kent
 
Yo Stuie/music:

I think knowsnuttin knows alot. Some nice clear information for you to check out.

I might add, use reverb for the cans when recording but don't put it on the recorded track; as with compression, you can always add the reverb. From you description of the "sound" you get, sounds like reverb might have something to do with it. Don't know much about your mic but I have an AKG 3000 and an Apex and one of those Shure Elvis mics for decoration mostly.

One other thing that can affect the outcome, how good is your singer's mic skills?

Green Hornet:cool: :p
 
If your room sounds bad then compression will only make that worse.
 
Well the first thing u need to do is stop letting cowboys operate the console :D
 
With all due respect, I'd sell the AKG C2000 and the Behringer,
then use the money to buy a better microphone and mic pre.
Assuming that the recording area can't be treated in order to
work well with a sensitive condenser, try some dynamic microphones like a Shure SM57 and try out something like a
Studio Projects VTB-1 mic pre which will be superior to your
Roland pre's. Remember to use a pop shield too.

I tried recording in a similar environment at home AKA the
master closet, and it was clearly unsuitable for using condensers.
Putting moving blankets in there really made it "bassy".
At least wifey lets me use the master bedroom now!

Chris
 
I certainly don't want to insult your intelligence, so I will insult my own by telling you one of the mistakes I made setting up a mic for vocals. I was using a MXL large diaphragm and put it in the mic stand backwards! We went through an entire vocal track before we noticed. It sounded just as you described. You might also check the mic placement. Make sure you're not too far away (staying within 5-10" has worked best for us) and singing directly into the mic.
For what it's worth, this MXL mic is under $100 and I was amazed by the quality (when pointed in the right direction) even going through the dreaded behringer mic preamp.
 
How are you monitoring yourself while you track vocals?

Sounds like a feedback loop problem to me......
 
trashed it

i got rid of my behringer. i have the older 1202 mackie right now. less distortion to me.
 
I actually like the C2000B for some material, which is surprising as I distinctly dislike the C3000B. Ditch the Behringer. The pres in it are inferior to the ones in your VS. A better pre may help a lot. Try a Joemeek. If these guys convince you to sell your 2000B, send me an email, I wouldn't mind owning a pair.-Richie
 
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