keeping levels even.

[kristian]

ok, so i have never used a compressor on vocals, so i think that might be the answer but lemme check. Ok, so im recording myself for the first time with a condensor(CM700) and im having a hard time keeping the level up.. even slight movements in my jaw and neck/face to place certain notes changes the level enough where i notice. ive recorded in studios and used the same mic techniques as they have. ive tried right up close, back far with a lotta mic gain, off axis, and its not working. is maybe the CM700 more directional then it is being marketed as? is this an issue that a tube pre or a compressor will help? i see how the compressor will change the dB of sound, but the frequecy response seems to be different, even at the slightest move i make.

 

[ametth]

the frequency response will change with different positions, thats a given. and it's entirely possoble that it's more directional than specd at. some mics sound really awful off axis, others you can get away with a little more. I would recommend using a compressor. but I would try to learn better mic technique.

 

[pitbull34]

voical compression

I dont know if everyone will agree with me but this works for me and never fails. Acually when you record first try two be about 2-4inches away from the mic do not move around so much, secondly it is almost impossable recording vocals with no compresser. It sounds like you need to raise the input level on your compresser loud enough so that the lower levels can be heard clearly but dont over do it because you dont what to distort the higher or louder levels.
Then depending upon your compresser you will raise or lower the threshold to even out the louder levels of your song, for example my compresser goes from 0 through -80, other compressers can go from 0 through +100 the point of a compresser is to make the lower and the louder levels to come to the same volume level. If you are using my type of compresser lower the threshold levels to about -20 through -40.
you must play and tweak around until the levles match, now on the other type of compressers you probably will go from 60+ to maybe 85+ again you have to play around to match the levels, your level may be way different than what I would use for what I do, may be 20+ through +35., Now you have to tweak with the release and the attack, usually I will keep my attck somewhere on the higher range and my release will go in the mid levels but again this will probably change with your style. If you do not adjust your attack and realse right your voice will pulse and you will be able to hear it you have to get rid of that. Sometimes you will not have to change the attack or release but maybe lay off the threshold a bit. I am sure there is someone around that will be able to give you the exact levels on the compresser. You just have to experiment and tweak. Because every song I do has a different compresser setting depending on sing, wispering, yelling, or lower levels of singing.

 

[Sound Cracker]

Interesting

Did those other studios you recorded at use a small diaphram condensor mic to record your vocals?

I gotta say, I have never seen any serious recording sessions where accurate voice reproduction is critical use a small diaphram condensor except in very specialized cases.

Sounds like you have the wrong mic for the wrong application.

If budget is your concern, nothing really beats a Audio Technica 4033. Very inexpensive, and provides sound that is much closer to mics many times it's price. I have seen it used many times successfully on vocal applications, and all involved were very pleased with the results.

I don't really think a compressor is going to solve the problems you are describing. In fact, it may make the tonal differences more pronounced.

The microphone is the first step in a long audio signal chain, and is one of only two steps where an actual machanical transference takes place. Your studio monitors are the other place. It stands to figure that these are two areas where serious money should be invested if you are looking for more professional sounding results. A sub $300 small diaphram condensor on vocals just doesn't seem to be the way to go here, especially if you are comparing your recordings with stuff that was done with much better microphones. Placement of the mic becomes so much more critical with a small diaphram condensor, and a vocalist who cannot stay in an exact spot is going to have many problems with such a mic.

Good luck.