Im looking for advice on finding a mic that works well for people with quiet voices.

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BSharp810

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The mic I am using its working out well for me (AKG perception) as long as the performance is a louder performance( Agressive Rappers/ Rock Bands). When I am recording someone with a softer voice ( Laid Back Rappers, soft vocals), after compressing, EQ'ing, and Gating, I still have feedback, due to having to boost the Gain. I am looking for a mic to work well with quiet sources. My Price range, realisticaly is Under 500$
Another thing, with my Mic performing the way it does, could someone tell me how to put a gate on a channel, so that before the signal gets to my DAW, it will already be processed through a gate ( so that when I use the gate, it doesnt only gate out the silent parts, but also makes it so feedback doesnt " pop up " on every single Word, and when there are no vocals, removes everything) << excuse my phrasing, it may be confusing, but im sure someone will be able to discipher what im talking about..hahar

Thank you all in advance
 
It just very well be that you need to be looking for a nice preamp as well!


Wait a minute your getting feed back in your recorded tracks!??????!
 
You're not referring to feedback...that's a live sound issue.

What kind of levels are you tracking at? Give us some numbers :)
 
Im recording from -18db to -12...

Yeah your right, its not feedback. Its just a hum, or fuzz.

I have a cheap pre amp, an ART pre..... it was like 70$ at guitar center... somewhere around there
Let me explain my Pre amp situation.
I run my mic to the pre amp with an XLR, into the IN
I run the outwith a 1/4 inch audio cable to my AI, and IT WONT WORK WHATSOEVER.
I cant figure out how to connect this thing... no matter How i run my 1/4 inch into my Tascam 144, i cant get a signal.

Maybe this is the question i should have asked in the first place?
 
Your going to need a much better preamp and I believe your problem will be eliminated ..... if I'm reading you right.
 
make sure the "audio cable" is a balanced (stereo plug type) this will help illiminate some noise
 
You need cleaner gain, i.e. a better preamp. Getting the mic closer to the performer might also help. A headset mic might work in terms of keeping the mic close and at the same relative distance from the performer. If your mic is noisier than your preamp, getting a mic with a lower noise floor will also help. It's why there's $1K+ mics and $1K+ preamps really. Better specs costs money.
 
Quiet voices can work on a number of mics. I have a pretty quiet voice and I've used a few really sensitive LDCs and usually use an NTK. But, Elliott Smith had a quiet voice and did a lot through an SM57. The mic itself shouldn't matter much as long as it is a good mic, works with the voice, and is quiet.

The noise is probably from pushing the preamp past it's ability, or a mic that is too sensitive picking up background noise. You can try tracking at a lower preamp volume. I've found that as long as it's hitting the DAW above -30 (-24 to be safest) it sounds fine to me. Turn the preamp down and the fader up in the DAW and see if that is a little quieter. You'll still have background noise, but the preamp won't be pushing so hard.
 
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