how do I get the best vocals???

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ryan
  • Start date Start date
R

Ryan

New member
I have no compressor, one coiled coat-hanger with pantyhose and a audio-technica AT818II... not the prettiest settup i know but how do I get the best sound out of what i've got??, I might invest in a compressor but apart from that what can I do to my technique???
please help me cause i can't finish any songs!!
 
I know you don't want to hear this but at the very least you're going to need a compressor. A large dia. condenser mic would be nice. In the mean time you can try to "ride the fader" to try to controll dynamics but you can't get the color that a compressor provides.
 
The most important things you should do is....

1: Make sure you use a high quality mic cable. Get the most out of the mic you're using.

2: Take the time to sing the part to the very best of your ability... even if it takes 50 tries to get it right.

I know that might be a "given", but spending a lot of money doesn't always guarantee great results if you can't sing the part very well.
Most recordings you hear of Elvis in the early years are of very crappy quality... but his golden voice was undeniably superior in every way.
I know I'm a bit off the point here. After all, this is mostly about tangible objects (recording gear) that you are concerned with.
But, don't forget how important it is to practice breathing and technique. You only get out of a mic what you put into it. Lot's of people tend to forget that, and rely too heavily on the gear itself.
 
what about you mic pre- what are you recording into. I generally don't find it essential to use a compressor when tracking vocals- recording digital though it's almost a necessity.

-jhe
 
thanks for the advice... im recording through a TAscam 488 then into my computer and cakewalk?? does anyone know how much the compressor plugin for Calkwalk 9 is??? in NZ dollars if you can... lol
Is it any good??
Also how much should i pay for a good mic??
 
Bad news about the compressor plug-in...

The plug-in is after your sound card's converters, so it can't protect you from peaking. The plug-in will only compress during play-back.

You'll need a compressor to place in front of your card's converters to protect you, and a plug-in won't do the trick. Without that, you can set the input at a fairly safe low level and try to sing as consistent as possible: back off the mic during loud parts, don't point your S's and T's right at the mic, etc. If you set the levels too low, you'll start running into the noise floor though... hiss city. You'll have to play around to get a good feel for it.
 
It's a matter of how much you want to spend. I wouldn't recommend spending any least than $200US on vocal mic for the studio though; an NT-1 would be the cheapest I'd go.
 
ok then... an NT-1, where can i find that on the web??
Say i got this mic what would i need to spend on a compressor?
 
I'd agree with Buck. Make sure everything is clean and quiet, and sing at a consistent volume, backing off the mic for louder parts. You're recording to tape, which is much more forgiving than digital, so compression is not a must. Get a nice hot signal to tape.

Compressors and a new mic will improve your sound, but don't forget--buying a new condenser mic will mean you need to buy a phantom power source / preamp as well. Unless you buy a small diaphragm condenser that operates on batteries, which is cool, too.
 
Originally posted by Ryan:
<<ok then... an NT-1, where can i find that on the web??>>

If you go with an NT-1....

I just bought a pair from MUSIC123.com for $179 each. The listed price is $199 (pretty much everyone's price), but they were running a 10% off sale on Rode. Double check that they're still running the 10% off deal. YOU HAVE TO SPECIFICALLY ASK FOR IT. I found out about it a couple days after I ordered and they still gave it to me.
Click to expand...
 
Oops! Sorry brain and/or browser failure!

[This message has been edited by Wobble (edited 06-13-2000).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top