Whattup Guys. Ight, So i'm 17, broke, no job, and the only thing I really have to record is cool edit pro, and a SAQ2U Microphone. I know that I won't get amazing Quality or anything, But I really want to get the best sound that I possibly can out of it. Check out one of my raps on youtube that I recorded with it. Tell me what You think I can improve on to make the quality better.
Shady Freestyle (Freeverse) - YouTube
Not bad, vocal just needs some top end sizzle to give it some ...well sizzle. This will make it sound like it was recorded on a decent condenser mic.
Ok, you are in luck. FREE applications ( one is honor ware ) can get you where you want to go.
Some VST plugins are required and a DAW that can host the VST plugins ( CEP cant host VST )
Reaper as the DAW ( Digital Audio Workstation ) to host the VST plugins . It's uncrippled in demo but pay the $40 like the rest of us
GET THIS. NO IFS OR BUTS
‘BootEQ mkII’ Its FREE. Play around with the presets to learn the ropes - "sophisticated" is the good starting point for the top end sizzle and tube warmth.
Get the compressors from the same dev too if you are feeling up to the learning curve.
Or download this FREE pack of VST's and use the one based on the LA2A - the purists in here will bitch it but its very easy to use and sounds good.
It may seem like a challenge to learn a new multitrack DAW but CEP is old news and Reaper is the future - ask around - look it up on youtube. Good news is you can still link to CEP as your audio editor from Reaper.
From an equipment standpoint - do you have your mic mounted in a stand ? If so, you can remove the mics pop filter and fashion a pro style filter out of a coat hanger and nylons.
EDIT: Forgot to mention. Also get EpicVerb ( from the maker of BootEQ ) and follow the hint provided on the page.
Tips & tricks
instead of using full reverbaration try the AMBIENCE mode when smaller room impressions are needed – this offers just the early reflections and this is sometimes enough and better for a cleaner mix