Help with levels for big vocals...

  • Thread starter Thread starter triquee
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triquee

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I'm a complete noob when it comes to mixing. But I have this mixer and I've been playing around with it. I have a really big voice. I like to belt and I like to sound airy. Here's an example:

Going Under

But I can't seem to get the levels right. There's a little distortion and I can't seem to get that airy sound that I'm looking for without adding what I'm sure is far too much reverb. I'm using a 10 year old Shure RS230 right now and plan to get a new mic soon.

Tips and/or suggestions?
 
You are going to have to use a compressor in the mix. Having one as you are recording would help too.

You might be able to get away with recording the quiet stuff with the input levels set for that and then set the levels for the loud stuff and record that in a separate pass.
 
You are going to have to use a compressor in the mix. Having one as you are recording would help too.

You might be able to get away with recording the quiet stuff with the input levels set for that and then set the levels for the loud stuff and record that in a separate pass.
Click to expand...

Yeah, do that, or record it fairly low, and then use compression with settings of; Threshhold= minus10.0, Ratio= 5 to 1, Attack time= 5.0ms, Release time = 50ms, and adjust the volume after the fact, that way you're raising the volume on a clean track with no distortion, it works for me.

For an airy sound, try backing off the mic, or singing at an angle to the mic.
I hope that helps.
 
The airy sound also come from the way you sing it. You actually have to put the air in it. After listening to the mix in the studio, the biggest problem you have is the vocals are mixed way too loud. Pull them back about 4db. The lead vocal should blend with the backing vocals. They will stick out because of the part you are singing, they don't have to be twice as loud as anything else.
 
I think this one sounds a lot better as far as levels. I'm also learning about mic distance. I'm not very experienced in recording my voice - always just sang into the air or in places with echo-y acoustics, like stairwells.

I'll be over you

What do you think? Do think I should back it off even more? Like maybe just a touch?

Same mic by the way. I think it sounds pretty good...never thought this mic could.
 
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