HELP!: Mixing vocals to fit in track.......

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kratos

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Basically when i record my vocals (in mono as my bloody sm58 mic is mono, or i could be wrong), my vocals sound as if it just doesnt fit the track! The sound as well sounds dull with some frequencies reduced for some reason.
Is there a set dB to record vocals and mix them i know it shouldnt be too loud or too soft but i cant seem to hit the middle.


Oh and im using an M audio DMP3 preamp which is a sick preamp as it reduces my input noise by loads so i can record clear noiseless vocals ( if i could that is).
Sorry but i dont have a sample to show you now.
 
DMP3 should be ok. You have to avoid "clip" led from lighting and VU meters should not reach red zone. Otherwise you have defective mid. Have no other ideas.
 
Yes, your SM57 records a mono track, you would need more than 1 mic to make something stereo. You gotta do some mixing to get the vocals to sit in there properly. Maybe some compression on the master track. You probably will have to do some adjusting to the instruments to make space for the vocals as well. If you have frequencies that are not coming through, try some EQ. To make them less dull, perhaps a touch of reverb. Try to record somewhere between -18db and -6db. Also do more reading.
 
kratos said:
...my vocals sound as if it just doesnt fit the track! The sound as well sounds dull with some frequencies reduced for some reason..
Click to expand...

Try about inch and a half, maybe out to 4-6" back off the mic if you haven't yet. The tone will get lighter and more natural. You're controling the low end boost of being right up on it, as well as the vocal's image size and that puffy mess.
 
First things first

Maybe you need to look further back in your process for the source of the problem. The first thing I do when tracking is to choose a mic that compliments what I'm recording. You're stuck with an SM58. The next thing is how the mic is used, then there's the monitor mix.

How far you are from the mic will affect how it reacts to your voice. Closer tends to emphasize the low frequencies, and it's more sensitive to small changes in you position. Farther out it will sound more even from low to high, and there will be less change in tone and level if you move a little.

When tracking vocals you will unconsciously react to the mix of the instruments in your monitors. If that mix is quiet you will sing in a quieter voice. If it's loud you will sing out more. If the mix is overly dynamic you will sing more dynamically. The more the monitor mix resembles a finished product the more polished your vocal takes will be right off the bat.

During mixdown it may take a bit of "massaging" of the vocals to get them to sit in the mix. That will probably mean eq, compression and effects. Without a sample it's hard to say specifically what they need to be right, and even then it a subjective thing so opinions will vary. The better you get at tracking the less there is left to do in mixdown.
 
kratos said:
Basically when i record my vocals (in mono as my bloody sm58 mic is mono, or i could be wrong), my vocals sound as if it just doesnt fit the track!
Click to expand...
Mixing vocals is hard.
That said, I had the exact same problem with the exact same mic. I'll never regret investing in a better suited, slightly more expensive one.
 
SM58 is a great vocal mic...if you can't get a usable sound out of that then the problem lies elsewhere.
 
kratos said:
Basically when i record my vocals (in mono as my bloody sm58 mic is mono, or i could be wrong), my vocals sound as if it just doesnt fit the track! The sound as well sounds dull with some frequencies reduced for some reason.
Is there a set dB to record vocals and mix them i know it shouldnt be too loud or too soft but i cant seem to hit the middle.


Oh and im using an M audio DMP3 preamp which is a sick preamp as it reduces my input noise by loads so i can record clear noiseless vocals ( if i could that is).
Sorry but i dont have a sample to show you now.
Click to expand...
What are you using as background?
You might want to try building your mix around your vocals.
 
I thought you got some good advice from bouldersoundguy. If your vocal tracks are dull and lifeless, try a different mic position (further back or maybe even closer). Turn up your reference mix in the headphones - it might cause you to sign differently.

There are EQ things you can do to a shitty dull vocal track, such as boosting high mids and/or highs. But in my experience those things don't work. You still get a shitty sound. Just a different kind of shitty.

Work on mic positioning and technique first. If you have other mic choices, try those next. Use EQ last. Just my opinion.
 
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