I need help with recording my voice

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prodigy

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I record tracks a lot, I'm very interested in Hip Hop and I like to make battle tracks, only I always have trouble with my voice tone. I use cool edit, and I've tried the various effects but I'm a newbie there's no doubting that. I want my voice to sound deeper and less high pitched, it has a nasal sounds to it naturally and I was wondering if there was a way to make my vocals sound deeper on cool edit pro. If anyone has any tips or soultions I would really appreciate some advice. My tone in my vocals is the only thing letting me down at the moment.

Thanks, Peace.
 
Assuming your voice is half decent the first place to look is your mic selection. What are you using?
 
That's kind of a vague question, but you referred to a "nasal" quality. Perhaps it's techinque? Are you singing/talking through your nose? Are you opening your mouth wide and letting your voice come out there? Are you properly supporting your singing/talking from your diaphragm?

Just some things to think about. Maybe vocal lessons would help?
 
Agree with the others. Your order of action should be.

1. Work on technique, projection, support. Use 100 percent of the voice you have (that is different than shouting)

2. Find a microphone that is good for your voice.

3. Work on microphone technique.

4. Play with the equalization in Cool Edit.
 
Yeah, I've been playing around with the Eq. I haven't really found an audiable improvement yet though, but I'm working on it.


Jagular said:
That's kind of a vague question, but you referred to a "nasal" quality. Perhaps it's techinque? Are you singing/talking through your nose? Are you opening your mouth wide and letting your voice come out there? Are you properly supporting your singing/talking from your diaphragm?

Just some things to think about. Maybe vocal lessons would help?
Click to expand...

My delivery is good, I've had people compliment me on that. It's just the way my voice sounds that people ain't feeling. When I say 'nasal' I mean it sounds 'whiney' on certain "igh" sounding sylabals. It's really more the high pitched aspect of my tone that I wanted to work on. I've never really thought of what you said about opening my throat and doing it like that...I just do it. But now you mention it, it sounds helpful and I will consider that. It might be something like that, but it's more the natural way my voice sounds that I was talking about. It could use some 'beefing' up for this genre of music, y'know? Thanks for the help though, I appreciate it.
 
Prodigy, you are falling into a trap that many people get stuck in, which is worrying about the end of the signal chain when you haven't taken care of the beginning. People spend all of their time trying to figure out how to process a track that sucks to make it sound good.
The first question somebody asked is- what are you using for a mic? But you didn't answer that question. So-WHAT ARE YOU USING FOR A MIC??? and-... WHAT THE HELL IS IT PLUGGED INTO???
You *can't* fix the problem by dicking around with the signal once it's recorded. First, you will need to improve your vocal technique, your mic, and your preamp. It probably isn't even an issue of a cheap mic. It may just be the wrong mic for you. Mics are like sneakers. A cheap pair that fits is better than an expensive pair that doesn't.-Richie
 
Yeah you're right man. Nice sneaker analogy btw.
I'm using a shop mic I dunno it's specifications I just bought it a few months ago and it doesn't have any info with it, it's ok as a mic it's not great but for now, it is adaquate. I'm not using a preamp, it just goes straight into the soundcard. My mic technique is fine, and the sound is pretty clear and I don't problems with mic pops or clicks or any of that nasty shizz, I flow ok, I have good delivery. The reason I started this thread for advice was because I was told I don't have a 'battle voice' and that it was high pitched. so new equipment would no doubt help as the 'eq' and the effects have slightly.

The reason I didn't tell the dude what mic I was using, could be do to the fact that I don't know...It's black, if that helps...lol
Thanks for the advice, I'll look at preamps, but the replies I was more interested in was what Jagular was saying about opening my throat and projecting my voice more.

The issue you are addressing about different types of mics is helpful and I will look into to it. As far as effects go, you are right about messing around with my recording after it was recorded, I'll check some new mics, I know a place where I can try them out before buying. Thanks again...Peace.
 
Yo Prodigy! I'll put you onto some cheap mics that work, some mid priced, and a couple to die for when you win the lottery. Generally rap/hip hop vocalists use dynamic mics more often than condensers, and swallow the sucker for a proximity boost (big time bass when used up close)
For fairly cheap, try Shure SM58 or AKG D880 or D770. Mid priced- hard to beat Sennheiser MD421. For bigger bucks, but to die for-Sennheiser MD441 or Shure SM7B. There are some great mics by Beyer dynamics, but I don't use them myself, so somebody else can fill you in.
Word-Get a preamp!!! For starters, an M Audio Audiobuddy will *vastly* improve your overall sound over the soundcard input for $80.
Last clue- want to be a singer? Then *know* what mic you're singing into at all times.-Richie
 
damn, you know ya stuff...

I'll look into these mics and preamps, probably opt for the more reasonably priced ones, until I get a little better...Thanks for the advice man, I appreciate it.

Peace.
 
Stop trying to be something else and you'll find much greater satisfaction with your performance. Step back and do your best to objectively hear your voice. Realize what you're capable of and what you're not. You can fudge all you want in the studio but that's not good practice for when you need to spit live. I'm sure you can find your strengths and use them to your advantage. Might I remind you that a certain Eminem charts as one of the top MCs and has the MOST nasal mid rangey voices I know of. You just have to find the Chuck D to your Flavor Flav... just kidding :)

i'm'
 
Yeah I hear ya, but I ain't trying to be something I ain't. Its like aftershave, I just wanna smell good, ya know? There ain't no harm in dressing it up a little, you are spot on about Eminem too, that kid does have that sound and I got some of his early unreleased stuff and you wouldn't believe how nasal and whiney he sounded, so yeah he's worked through his glicthes, I reckon I could do the same. I think he compensated lyrically rather than technically though, that comparison falls a bit flat when you realise how he was percieved first off (vocals aside). Anyways, you are right about what's right for me, I will continue to explore that as I have been doing, thanks for the advice and the reminder man.

PS: Flavor Flav? You calling me a crackhead? lolz...

Peace man.
 
Prodigy, another way to help would be for you to SPEAK what
you're singing in the actual key of the song.
IF your spoken voice is properly produced (no strain, etc.),
then you can base your singing voice around it.
Net result = more natural singing.

Hope this helps,
Chris

P.S. The "Event" forum on this BBS has become the
(unofficial) singer's forum BTW. Check it out!
 
That does help, like kinda increase the melodic roll of it in accordance with the key, I get ya. It gets a little hard to sing the words in battle tracks when you are calling some kid a "muthaf*ckin c*nt" though hah? hahaha Nah I'm playing, I know what you mean...I feel ya.
I'll check that forum,

Thanks for the advice man, this is the stuff I'm interested in. Pz.
 
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