home studio vocals question

[docjunction]

i posted this on another forum and someone sent me here- so here's the deal......my set-up is my pc--cubase sx--m-audio mobile pre usb--art mic preamp and a shure sm58.( i have lots of plug-ins like antares auto tune etc.) i can get great,clear instrument recordings, but i can't seem to get the studio quality results i want from vocals. can anyone give me some legitimate advice. thanks in advance !

 

[JeffLancaster]

i posted this on another forum and someone sent me here- so here's the deal......my set-up is my pc--cubase sx--m-audio mobile pre usb--art mic preamp and a shure sm58.( i have lots of plug-ins like antares auto tune etc.) i can get great,clear instrument recordings, but i can't seem to get the studio quality results i want from vocals. can anyone give me some legitimate advice. thanks in advance !

You might try switching to a large diaphragm condensor microphone for your vocals. Until recently, I was recording vocals with a couple different dynamic microphones (including the SM58) as they were all I had. Then I bought a Studio Projects C1. It makes a big difference. The sound is much brighter and clearer.

 

[docjunction]

thanks

thanks, i had heard that about condenser mics already and you confirmed it.
thanks for responding.

 

[Big Kenny]

and now for the ? what's the best condenser for my voice? Sorry, just kidding, yup a condenser is what you want, a condenser is what you need and, damn it, a condenser you shall have!
Intro condensers include (but are not limited to)
Cad M179
AT 4040
AKG 2000
SE ummmm something
ADK Hamburg or Vienna
Marshall V69 or 77 or...
Rode ummm something but not the other one (too bright)

 

[kidvybes]

SE ummmm something
Marshall V69 or 77 or...
Rode ummm something but not the other one (too bright)

SE 2200A
Marshall V67G
Rode NT1000 or NTK (not the NT1 or NT1A)

 

[lucky13]

I recently purchased the AKG Perception 200 for about $130. I like it, and it has worked pretty well in my home studio

 

[KJ09]

You aren't going to really get "Studio results" on Vocals using an SM-58 Shure Mic. It's a
great stage Mic for performing, but if you want to even come close to getting a studio
sound on vocals you will have to use a Large 1" Condenser Mic with a Pop Filter or Filter
Screen. Set your line input volume to 100%-102% on your Meter (VU, digital LED, or
computer Meter) and stay back from the Mic about 1-2 Feet and this should give you a
powerful clear crisp vocal in your Mix. Don't eat the Mic using a Large Condenser, it's not
necessary and will only tend to distort on you. These mics are so senstive that every
nuance in your Voice will be easily picked up in the resulting recording. A large
Condenser mic is definitely the way to go if you want to get more of a studio quality
sound vs. any of the Shure stage vocal mics (SM-57, SM-58). I regularly use my large
MXL Condenser Mic (MCA SP2) for Vocals because I don't get the annoying Proximity Effect
(increased Bass) with a Condenser mic. See my other Posts by key wording (in search) KJ09.

 

[Chili]

The condensor mic will also pick up everything else; the computer running in the background, your shoes shuffling on the floor, your HVAC unit, etc. But most importantly, it will pick up your voice echoing, reverberating or fluttering around in the room. When vocals are recorded in an untreated room, they will sound boxy.

To get really good sounding vocals, you'll have to acoustically treat the room. This is not the same as sound isolation. It will eliminate standing waves, echoes, flutter, etc. There's a lot to learn about it, so be sure to look over in the Studio Building forum and pick up what you can.

peace.

EDIT: Well, I got caught in the resurrected old thread trap.

Hey KJ09, please stop pulling up the old threads and posting the same advice. You've done it about 3 or 4 times now and pretty much cut and paste your replies. While no one minds if you bring up an old thread, just don't keep doing it and saying the same thing. Cool?? Thanks!!! Moderator

 

[Harvey Gerst]

And he regularly uses his "large MXL Condenser Mic (MCA SP2) for vocals because I don't get the annoying Proximity Effect (increased Bass) with a Condenser mic".

Huh? The MXL MCA SP2 IS A CARDIOID PATTERN MIC (pressure gradient), and therefore, has proximity effect. The only condenser mics that don't exhibit "Proximity Effect" are pure pressure omnis.

Some of his other statements elsewhere are equally wrong and misleading. He's been doing this for 40 years? I sincerely doubt it.

 

[JTC111]

+1 on the ADK Hamburg and Vienna mics but look at the whole ADK lineup. That company continues to impress the hell out of me.

 

[Slowjett]

+1 on the ADK Hamburg and Vienna mics but look at the whole ADK lineup. That company continues to impress the hell out of me.

I love my ADK hamburgs..

Did this yesterday with ADK Hamburg on Vocals and Guitar..

 

[SC Studio Man]

Great mix, and great song! Really clean and crisp man. I just ordered the SE2200a, so hopefully I can start cranking out my own stuff.