HELP...Recording vocs with mic...

[JanesPlain]

Im recording vocals for a song I have been recording..Im going straight into my sound card, using sonar 4 producer..I have 24 tracks so far..needless to say I have spent some time on this project...I just cant get a good sound the recordings are fine im not using or can afford a processor..Ive tweaked added effects through sonar taken them off ect... Im actually singing instead of screaming ,but to no avail it just doesnt mix well...What are some effects,and or tricks that studios use to produce a decent vocal mix....

 

[bennychico11]

there's not really any tricks...just different techniques. and each is different. but good sound starts from the source. make sure you're singing in tune to start off with and watching your syllables, rhythm, plosives, sibilance, etc. second, make sure you're not singing in a room that has a window open with traffic noises, a computer running right next to your mic, and your kid sister (or your kids depending on your age), in the house running around and screaming. next, make sure you're using good gear. a good mic and a good preamp can do wonders for your sound (but they also pick up more "blunders"). What mic are you using? many tend to use a little bit of EQ and compression to even out the vocal sound...but only if it needs it (most vocalists do need compression though). next you can dabble in a little reverb. i tend to hate a lot of mixes that over do reverb, so i add just smidge so it can sit back in the mix with the rest of the instruments. it can be hard to just get it right, but when you do you can feel so relieved that your vocals are actually starting to sound good.

hope some of that helps.

 

[Janesaid2me]

Thats a hard question to answer....but what kinda of mic are you using I feel like that is crucial to the sound you get vocally, and second what type of room are you in (surroundings etc) Having aproper setup and mic will really help your sound. Second do some reading on how to properly compress a voice (as benny said most need it..actually i think they all do) and then do some more reading on eq'ing vocals....im not sure if you alreayd know how to do this or if you are just randomly doing stuff because i dont know your experience level.

Anyways my question for you is how do you like sonar 4 producer? Easy to use? Good for mixing? Anythings you dont like? I've been looking into thats why i ask...thanks!

 

[scrubs]

Im recording vocals for a song...Im going straight into my sound card...I just cant get a good sound...

What mic and what soundcard? Those are the 2 critical questions. If you get a good sound going in, there should be minimal "mixing" involved.

Also, if you don't have a preamp in that chain, it will most likely sound like crap. Mics need gain amplification...period. All the things already mentioned are important, too (good mic, good room, good voice).

Here's a good thread to read also, about vocal mixing:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=153144&highlight=mixing+vocals

Please fill us in on the details of your equipment and, if possible, post a soundclip for us.

 

[gordone]

It's actually quite simple!
Get a great singer in a good sounding room, stick a nice microphone in front of them, plug the nice microphone into a great Pre-amp, plug the pre amp into a nice recorder (or AD converter), and make sure the guy/girl setting it all up knows that they're doing.

If you want help, you really need to give us more details on your setup. I'm not sure it's possible to record vocals "directly" to the soundcard. Are you singing into the little 1/8" jack? We usually use a microphone (and other gear) to record.
Help us help you!

 

[tourettes5139]

Are you singing into the little 1/8" jack?

I use 1/4 jacks to get a bigger sound.

 

[Alexbt]

The XLR jacks have the best sound.
Three pinholes.