H2H needs H-E-L-P!

[Hard2Hear]

everyone-

I have a girl to sing some of my stuff that is INCREDIBLE! She is a combination of Mariah Carey and Faith Hill. Such an awesome voice!!! I can't believe it!

Here's the prob. I can't get her voice to track correctly. I am willing to put up some dough, if thats whats needed, just to record her. It just seems like my stuff's not cutting it. Here's what I have tried: AT 4033, Apex 430, AKG C1000, Art TubeMP, Art TubePac, Mackie 1604VLZ. I have used every combination of this and I don't think any of it is doing justice to her beautiful voice. So I guess my question is, if I have like $1200, should I look at a nice preamp, or a better mic? Whivh of the two is more integral to the sound?

Any help greatly appreciated!

H2H

 

[Wallycleaver]

How long will the sessions be? A couple possible solutions
#1Check out a channel strip. Neve and amek makes some that I belive are around that price
#2 Check out Mic pres in that range. Used Telefunken fall in that range
In addition you and rent a nice neumann mic for a couple days.
Also how is it not tracking right? Lemme know

 

[Hard2Hear]

It's hard to describe with words....it's just not as good as her voice is. Maybe "hollow" or not full enough. Too airy? I dunno. I haven't done any eq or fx work on the track because I want to record it as best as possible without having to mess with it. I'm sure if I noodled with eq and track compression and things that it could sound lots better. But I'm thinking - Go for the source, and get the best you can.

H2H

 

[Wallycleaver]

Harvey!!! Where you at?

Upgrading your pre will help that tons! Also what are you recording to? I think a channel strip would help alot. It puts the power of expensive console in the average Joe's pocket, Trident "SIGNATURE SERIES" lists for $1299. Do you have a Pro audio store near by? Guitar Center or the likes doesn't count. Kinda like sweetwater. Take her there and test her voice with what they have in your range. Check out aristpro.com as well. There is a great interview with Al something talking about what mics he's used on womens voices.

 

[Prism]

I believe someone else on the boards here just ditched their AT4033 for the New Rode NTK - That's how good it was... But I don't know well enough to give any real advice. I'm too naive.

Isaiah

 

[Hard2Hear]

Actually, my first thought was maybe getting the NTK. BUT, then I was thinking that I would be limited by my cheap pre-amps, so it might be better to try out a nicer pre-amp with the mics I have. I can only afford one or the other right now, and I don't know what direction to go. That's why I posted this.
H2H

 

[Gidge]

Take HER with you to a pro audio store and test out combonations of mics and pres.....BTW, does she LOOK like Mariah or Faith?..If so let me know where and when this testing will take place...

 

[Hard2Hear]

Gidge-

She looks more like Daisy Fuentes.

Eat your heart out

H2H

 

[Gidge]

Im thinking about eating it out....but not my heart.....

BTW, test on everything they have in and out of her range and if you have to , rent the mic that is killer for a day....buy the preamp though.....check here for some preamp opionions.....


https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27055

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Rent an hour of studio time at a local studio with a good mic selection and cut a CD of her voice on as many mics as possible. I suspect a good ribbon or good condenser mic will be your final choice. If there's no rental place that carrys the mic you decide on, find a good local studio and just cut the vocal tracks there. Or, try the following mics if available:

Neumann U47
Neumann U47fet
Neumann U67
Neumann U87
Neumann TLM-103
Neumann TLM-147
Neumann TLM-149
Telefunken Elam 251
AKG C12
Lawson - any
Soundlux - any
Coles 4038
RCA 44BX
RCA 77DX
AKG 414

After you've found a mic(s) that seems to work, get back to us, and I'll try to point out some low priced mics that are similar in sound to the mics you liked.

 

[CyanJaguar]

I would agree with what everybody has said so far.

But have you tried putting up the vocal for about a week or so.
You'll be surprised when next you listen to it that it is not so bad afterall. It might just be quite different from the live version.

 

[mixmkr]

I kinda...in a way....agree with Harvey. Take her to a studio, and cut the tracks there. To me, it sounds like there is tooooo much sqealin' about the equipment, and that that is the problem. My first thoughts were that it is the ears, experience and the engineer that are the solution.....PLEASE, PLEASE, no offense intended...because apparently you have the ears to hear that there is a problem. But, even though all the equipment you listed is consider "consumer"...with a tad of cross-over to the semi-pro/project studio arena, that stuff (previously mentioned) aint all that bad to capture what you need. It sounds like some experience with "directed experimentation" is what is called for......or maybe just a backrub on this diva, to warm things up!!!