Help recording vocals!

[Dan Colverson]

Hi, im a total amature and id like to ask some advice from you wise people about how to record vocals in a small cheap-ish home studio setup. For years i've been recording vocals by connecting an SM58 to my guitar amp (An ancient thing made by Alligator) and then taking the output of the amp and putting it straight into a Fostex multitracker (FD-8). Then when i mix down onto the computer into Sound forge XP i add some reverb and it sounds vaguely passable.

My amp died a few months ago and since then i've been just connecting the SM58 directly into the FD-8, its sounds very bassy and you have to cut most of the low end and add lots of treble on the EQ before eveing thinking about singing. Even after doing this its still quite hard to hear when recording the vocals, they dont really cut through (although the final product doesnt sound too bad when mixed).

Anyway, its recently occurred to me that this probably isnt the best way of recording vocals! Ive done a bit of research, am i right in thinking i should get a pre-amp, a compressor and ideally a proper reverb unit too? Im not looking to change the mixing (sound forge) or recording parts (FD-8) of my setup just wondering whats the path most people take to get the sound from their layrinx to the tape! Thanks!

 

[brandonkrause]

i really don't record analog too often so i don't have much to say... um.. i would personally get a condenser mic and a small behringer or other mixing console (of course with +48 Volt inputs) because they have nice pre's and the built in EQ is great. that way you can just run the vocals and anything else you're recording in (depending on how many channels the mixer has) at the same time or individually and multi-track it onto sound forge or another computer program...

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Assuming the fostex unit doesn't have preamps then you'll need a seperate mic pre. Your existing method utilised the preamp part of your guitar amp. A preamp designed for use with a microphone would obviously give you better results.

Reverb and compression are arguably the two most important and most often used processors when recording audio.

Also, condensor mics are usually (but not always) better for recording vocals (Sm58 is a dynamic mic) but if you really like the sm58 on your voice then go with it. If you've not used a condensor before I'd reccommend that you try one.

 

[Riverdog]

Fd8

I believe the FD8 has two channels that allow for you to plug in mics...
I used to record with the older brother to the FD8 (The FD4) and it had "Mic input channels"...
Once these are plugged in those channels should also have a "L/M/H" Rocker switch that changes the gain input stage for those channels...

First before you do anything else - Try plugging your SM58 into one of those channels - Change the gain input so that it increases the volume of the 58 as it goes into the FD8... I think that's the "H" (Hi) input setting... Then adjust the input volume so the input on the display is "tripping" almost all the way up but not "sticking" at the top (It indicates clipping>>>)...

There should be enough beef on that thing to get a good vocal from your 58 going right into the FD8... AND - If you're having problems with the Bass response back off from the 58 a little (Distance wise)... The 58 has bass increase in closer proximity to the Mic... Set your levels and try recording about 5 inches from the Mic head...

Hope this helps...

 

[Dan Colverson]

Thanks people, decided to go for the Studio Projects VTB-1 preamp for the moment, i'll let you know how i get on!