Issues with Singing Reverb

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chicsheik

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Hi!
I have been having trouble with too much distortion when I record my voice. I am a classically trained opera singer, and in my spare time I like to write (and record!) indie pop songs that use my operatic talents as primary and back up vocals. Whenever I sing anything high and loud (that is my specialty), the recorded sound is severely distorted to the point of being unusable. I use a Blue Yeti Mic that plugs into my computer via USB, and has four settings (omni, bi, cardioid, and stereo). I record directly into Audacity editing software.

Please, I have tried every setting, turing the input all the way down both on my mic and on my computer, and standing at various distances away from the mic. The only thing that works is standing across the room facing away from the mic, and that (not unexpectedly) sounds markedly different from the softer vocals sung on the staff. What can i do? Thank you!
 
Hi,
Assuming you haven't boosted your recording with plugins or anything, your input signal is too hot.
In short, your mic isn't really suitable for what you're doing.

As you've discovered, standing very far from the mic isn't going to sound the same as recording up close, so that doesn't really help.

In a studio the engineer would probably choose a less sensitive microphone, or use an input pad to reduce the signal level before the preamp/converter, but you can't really do that with a USB mic.

I think your best bet would be to buy a dynamic mic and a USB audio interface.
 
Thank you! That explains a lot. Do you have any recommendations in terms of mics?
 
A beta shure mic is good. And you can always try it out and return it you know. I know most stores let you try it for a month.
 
Yep. SM57/59 or beta 58 would probably be just fine.
Don't forget you'll need something to plug it into...Like a focusrute 2i2 or something.
 
The Blue Yeti isn't a bad mic - the snag is that USB interfaces built into mics have to be preset for the average voice. A standard mic and an audio interface usually have a much better capability to cope with close singing, powerful people!
 
Most mics, even the very best and most expensive mics, will distort if the input volume is too direct and loud. One easy way to solve the problem is when you go really loud, simply turn your head right away from the mic. In other words sing across the mic, not into the mic. Also, Audacity is notorious for recording problems, maybe it would be worth your while to purchase a professional recorder for your computer. Or even use a separate, external digital recorder and then transfer the finished recording to the computer.
 
philips said:
Most mics, even the very best and most expensive mics, will distort if the input volume is too direct and loud. One easy way to solve the problem is when you go really loud, simply turn your head right away from the mic. In other words sing across the mic, not into the mic. Also, Audacity is notorious for recording problems, maybe it would be worth your while to purchase a professional recorder for your computer. Or even use a separate, external digital recorder and then transfer the finished recording to the computer.
Click to expand...
I haven't had any bad experiences with Audacity, but the advice is basically sound... ;)

My mic technique is to sing 90 degrees across the front side, about 8 to 10 inches away. In other words, I'm addressing the mic with the corner of my mouth, rather than facing it full on. I keep a windscreen (one of those round nylon mesh things) in front of me, so I don't pop too many "p's" or "b's".

Engineers will use a "pad", which is a means of controlling the sound level going into the recording medium. There may be one on the mic itself, on the mix desk, or in the mic preamp. The idea is to keep the sound from overdriving the electronics, which creates the distortion.

Ideally, in my experience, the sound level should be no more than +3 to +5 VU (arbitrarily) on the meter when singing full voice. This is usually the result of an engineer combining some type of dynamics control (limiting/compression), adjusting volume manually, or setting up pads to bring the volume down. Keep in mind that some operatic singing techniques don't translate well to modern studio recordings.
 
philips said:
One easy way to solve the problem is when you go really loud, simply turn your head right away from the mic. In other words sing across the mic, not into the mic.
Click to expand...
Please don't start to use this technique. Lots of singers develop this technique and it is a live performance nightmare. If the system is set up properly, then your loudest notes will not distort. If they do, then the set up was poor. When you turn off mic, the tone changes, and your most powerful note sounds far less so. Some famous singers developed techniques to control dynamics in hand held use on stage, or when using a stand mic, by subtle movement in or out. Never to the side because of the tonal shift. Sure, it cuts the volume, but it's a poor technique that will be very different to break. In the studio this technique just isn't needed. Dynamics are very difficult to bottom out, designed for lips on basket volume. Their output may need a pad which may be a feature of the preamp, or can be a plug in inline device. Pad and gain control are essential items. If no pad is available, then distance is the key, but you need to find a way to not let the mouth to mic distance go in close, because of the tonal change again. A pop shield is handy, not being used to reduce pop, but simply as a barrier, you can move in and out a bit but never too close. Turning away solves one problem but introduces more that are not wanted, and being honest, the recording is not the performers problem. Set gains properly and it's not an issue. I get the singer to give me the loudest bit of the song. Then assume that what you get will be even louder when it's done for real, and back off the gain even more. I've never suggested turning away, because it's out of my control and they may do it too slowly, too suddenly, or even too soon, and then when they do, that lovely gorgeous power note is thin and feeble. Imagine asking tom jones or Shirley basses to turn away? The look would be good to see. I'd encourage you to experiment with your setup and try things out. Don't develop habits that will trip you up later - like the hordes of singers who wave mics around because Whitney Houston did, but without realising how she did it!
 
Rob is essentially correct... twisting the head or torso does impede breathing technique. My vocal coach told me it's better to stand back.
 
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