Getting the best of vocals

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wordizbon

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I just bought a Rode NT1. Not realizing how much of a difference it is as recording on a cheap dynamic mic. I can hear everything from me breathing to the bus going down the street. How can I achieve a decent vocal recording without a sound booth. Bathroom? Is there any alternative?
 
word, is your closet big enough for you to record in?
My walk-in closet in my home is relatively "dead" sounding, especially
when moving blankets are used in it.
 
Jees...I was gonna get a decent vocal mic soon and I didn't realise how much they pick up - looks like I need to invest in an isolation booth.

As for breathing...I have wondered what is best to eliminate this also.
 
I don't have a pop sheild at the moment (it is on the shopiing list :D), but I thought that they only stop the blasts of air hitting he mic.

Do pop sheild actually stop the noise of a singer breathing before phases?

Also, what kind of EQ would I need to set to eliminate this breathing?
 
pop shield

Jon,

Don't spend good money of a popshield, you can make your own from tights and a coat hanger.

Maybe you knew that already but I wouldn't want to throw your money away!

matt
 
Just for a test to you unbelieving customers...

Stretch a nylon across a rounded coat hanger. Blow on your hand and pass the nylon in front. You will be surprised to know that about 90% of the wind goes away.

Coat hanger...$0.05

Nylons............$1.00

No popping of the B's and P's, and no breath noise on your next recording.....Priceless

OK, that was lame

Pete
 
Throw a towel over your head. Or make yourself a little tent hanging from the ceiling. You'd be amazed at what you come up with living in a noisy room, in a noisy house on a noisy block in a noisy city.

But a closet is the best idea.
 
Heavy breathing is more a matter of proper singing technique. If you cant control it you can step away from the mic, take a breath, and get back to singing. The music will cover most breaths but if you have to get rid of one then do a quick volume fade in your DAW. Do not use EQ, it will screw up the sound.
 
Pop Screen

I'm using a foam "popper stopper" now, but my first unit worked not too badly.
You know those round rings that some women, maybe your lady, use for cross-stiching, they come in various sizes and are basically two rings (one fits snuggly inside the other and clamps tight. Take the inner ring, (now you're gonna need a third hand), stretch an old nylon/pantyhose across the ring, secure the larger ring around it, and tighten the screws. This worked for me for years, and sometimes I still use it, depending on what I'm looking to achieve.
Cut away the excess when everythings secure.
 
A friend of mine had a nice little studio where I did a lot of recording. He built a vocal booth and I used it once. Then I went back to recording in the living room of his house, because I preferred the background noise, traffic, etc...it gave my recordings a sense of "place", if that makes sense.

I wouldn't worry about breath noise, anyway. It's a sure sign that the person singing is alive!

Incidentally, if you have a noise gate, then that should do the job.

Oh, and BUY OR MAKE A POPSHIELD!!!
 
And you'll sing with more feeling if you don't wash the old pantyhose before you use them. Get them from someone you know, it's safer. But not your mom or your sister - that would be wrong.
 
You guys are aware that you can get nice clamp-on adjustable pop shields for less than $15, right?

It sure beats trying to attach a coat hanger to your boom stand and yes I am speaking from experience ;)
 
And you'll sing with more feeling if you dont wash the pantyhose first. Try to get them from someone you know, it's safer. But not your mom or sister - that would be wrong.
 
twist said:
And you'll sing with more feeling if you don't wash the old pantyhose before you use them. Get them from someone you know, it's safer. But not your mom or your sister - that would be wrong.
Click to expand...



Yo twist!

You really need to change your name to I M twist ED !



Hey Tex!
Where can I pick up a pop stopper for $15. bucks?

scodu
 
Anyone ever hear of the mute or erase function?

Example on daw: highlight wav form where breath occurs. Hit "mute" or "silence" or similar control.

Example on multitrack: Enter timing of start of breath. Enter timing of end of breath. Hit "mute," "erase," or similar control.
 
TexRoadkill said:
Heavy breathing is more a matter of proper singing technique. If you cant control it you can step away from the mic, take a breath, and get back to singing. The music will cover most breaths but if you have to get rid of one then do a quick volume fade in your DAW. Do not use EQ, it will screw up the sound.
Click to expand...

I agree with Tex. This is of course a good alternative. Fix it at the performance. As far as EQ goes I mean when the breathing is harsh and disturbing (as I seldom think it is) you can EQ carefully, trying too avoid messing up the sound too much. (around everything from 7K to 10K depending on the singer I would think)
 
Also, some breath sounds may actually be desirable as a part of the performance.

Twist
 
Some of us dont have the option of diy pop shields because we rent out the space for small act in the area. If I come up with something cheesy looking thing Im lible to not be taken seriously. You can go to mars and get a decent pop screen for under 20.00us

And aviod the awkward questions from your wife, sister or your mother or dad when thy catch you with a pair of pantyhose.
 
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