Loud singer microphone etiquette question

[bouldersoundguy]

Is there a way to put "a little compression on the way in" with GarageBand?

How do I know if I'm recording "too hot" and is the compression the way around it?

Thanks for the help guys!

Using a plugin is by definition after the audio is in the DAW. If the audio has been clipped on the way in it's too late to address it with a plugin. Turn the mic preamp gain down until your peaks are below -6dBFS, preferably around -12dBFS.

Compression is NOT the solution for hot recording levels.

 

[grimtraveller]

In the mean time smack him in the head for practice and fun!

With the compressor on a low threshold but high ratio !

 

[moresound]

With the compressor on a low threshold but high ratio !

Yeah. A big out board 2 channel 4 rack space model for sure Grim.

 

[acoustichris]

So...Why are you recording in such a tiny space? It doesn't relate to the distortion problem, but you should really get a bigger room.

That's not really an option. So, the small space has nothing to do with the distortion problem? I thought it would have but I am a newb.

 

[themdla]

your prob is def the gain on the mic channel.

use two tracks in the DAW, one for quiet parts, one for loud.

(Track 1) adjust the gain for the quite stuff and track.
(you may or may not need to turn the gain up to reach optimum levels)

(Track 2) adjust the gain so the loud singing is the same in level as the soft singing
(the "same" in level is referring to the average on track metering)

an optimum level would be around -18dbfs average on your INTERFACE, pre plugins and everything else.

in the pic you have of your interface controls it looks like you've turned up channel one to above unity

there is no need for this

 

[themdla]

also you could kick in the limiter (from the interface) on that track just in case.


but if you find your hitting the limiter consistently turn down that gain son!

 

[chessparov]

Seeing Larry of ADK titled as a "newbie"-gotta love it!

Chris

 

[acoustichris]

your prob is def the gain on the mic channel.

use two tracks in the DAW, one for quiet parts, one for loud.

(Track 1) adjust the gain for the quite stuff and track.
(you may or may not need to turn the gain up to reach optimum levels)

(Track 2) adjust the gain so the loud singing is the same in level as the soft singing
(the "same" in level is referring to the average on track metering)

an optimum level would be around -18dbfs average on your INTERFACE, pre plugins and everything else.

in the pic you have of your interface controls it looks like you've turned up channel one to above unity

there is no need for this

Dumb question but to do this, I would need 2 mics, right?
I usually record one track at a time.

 

[moresound]

There are a few things to consider in your situation

1) Working the mic (like a pro) where you back away from
the mic on the loud notes is fine on stage, but with most
condenser mics, you'll change the tonality by doing so !

Bass Proximity Boost changes and thus the whole tonal-character
changes when you move close and far from the microphone.

2) It's probably not SPL issues, but "Wind-Blast" Issues.

A jet plane rarely exceeds 130 dB, and I'm sure your singer isn't
as loud as an airplane. Are you using a Metal or Nylon Windscreen?

My advice - Try a second windscreen, like the thick clown-nose type.

Also, a Compressor is the Key to any great vocal track.

ART, RNC, it doesn't have to be a really expensive Comp to fix this.

Good Luck!

Larry Villella, Founder, ADK Microphones www.adkmic.com

Great stuff here Larry and I see someone was getting a chuckle with you having the newbie sticker under your user name.

I'm going to have to ask you about the "thick clown-nose windscreen"
Maybe it's a trade name that I just haven't heard of before or a terminology that hasn't hit me as yet in the back woods of N.H. .... But please Larry enlighten me to this windscreen.

 

[guitarplayr82]

Dumb question but to do this, I would need 2 mics, right?
I usually record one track at a time.

Yes you would, unless there is a way to route the same mic to both channels within the software, but even still it would be best to use two mics. If you decide to use two microphones, remember to either record in stereo in GarageBand, or to set up two mono tracks, one recording channel one and the other with channel two.

 

[themdla]

Dumb question but to do this, I would need 2 mics, right?
I usually record one track at a time.

nope i'm talking about recording the part separately on different tracks.

setup gain for his low level singing and track it. (track 1)

then create another track in the daw, setup gain for his loud singing (on the same mic and input) and track that. (track 2)

 

[themdla]

Yes you would, unless there is a way to route the same mic to both channels within the software, but even still it would be best to use two mics. If you decide to use two microphones, remember to either record in stereo in GarageBand, or to set up two mono tracks, one recording channel one and the other with channel two.

 

[grimtraveller]

nope i'm talking about recording the part separately on different tracks.

setup gain for his low level singing and track it. (track 1)

then create another track in the daw, setup gain for his loud singing (on the same mic and input) and track that. (track 2)

If the diva refuses to lower the bellows on the pretext that he won't sacrifice the performance in the name of a good recording level, can you see him doing your suggestion which amounts to the same thing, good though your suggestion is ? I can't.
One thing that among a few things the guy really needs if it is indeed his overly powerful singing that is the problem is for people who listen to the recordings to tell him that his overloud distorted vocals wrecked what would otherwise have been good songs. But even that may not help.
Smack his teeth in, I say !

 

[bouldersoundguy]

nope i'm talking about recording the part separately on different tracks.

setup gain for his low level singing and track it. (track 1)

then create another track in the daw, setup gain for his loud singing (on the same mic and input) and track that. (track 2)

Or use an XLR splitter to two inputs with different gain settings and track them both at once. Or just track it at a safe level for the loud parts and edit or process as needed once in the DAW.

 

[moresound]

mad .*.*.*.*. ALRIGHT!!! Let stop fu*king around here. ~~
If he's that strong of a vocalist ..... just have him face away from the microphone and have him sing with his back to the microphone.

OR just do the smart thing and put up a microphone that has a pad built in on it and engage it .....Sheesh!

 

[R&Bblood]

if he really cared about/didn't want to sacrifice his performance, he would mind that his sound gets distorted. He would want it to sound perfect. Just the fact that he says that others won't notice..yea but YOU will know it wasn't as best as you could've done it. I believe he might have some trouble cooperating. There must be a way for him to go as loud as he wants with good sound quality. I mean, how do other artists do it? Are you a new band? If you are, this situation gives you a glimpse of what to expect from him in the future. Are you also friends or can you find someone else, someone who wants to do it as properly as you do?

 

[mixsit]

"..Hey umm.. Aretha, can you back way off there please? I know it'll sound like like ass..
but you're distorting here.. Thanks."

Dumb question but to do this, I would need 2 mics, right?
I usually record one track at a time.

Ok, may I suggest- before going off into 'dual level setups you have job one to finish.
This would be to spend some time –before the next 'tracking, to play with your set up.

There's about three places where you can overload;

At the mic- apparently the 2020 doesn't have a pad switch. That drops a sensitive mic's level for when it's used up close on very loud sources. Instead they set up the 2020 to take 144! without a pad, so unless you're screaming right up on it, this likely not the problem.

At the interface/mic input- Turn it all the way down, set all the other controls in your software to 'zero/'nominal -no boost, no cut, no plugins no add-ons'.

At the conversion to digital.

Record something of 'normal volume ('sing test into the mic is handy way to do this) then, mic input still at minimum, try higher volumes, until you see it max out –see red' on the meters, hear distortion on play back, clip' flat topped waves whatever.

With all the software controls (except the one for mic input gain) are at zero', your meters will show your recorded after conversion level.
If the test shows playback below max on the meters, but is distorted, the overload was at the mic input, or at the converter.
The drag with these combo analog/digital/software controlled thingies is it's harder to separate the two.

It is possible (and not uncommon) that on loud sources a hot mic can overload the mic input even at 'minimum gain'. (..and 'minimum is often +10 or 15 of gain you don't even need or want!)
Often for loud things, (maybe for a loud voice) you may need one of these in that case-
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...e-Attenuator?sku=275064&src=3WWRWXYB&ZYXSEM=0
Passes phantom power, manages input level to the mic pre.

Or.. use a less sensitive mic, like a dynamic. Also, with a dynamic you get to eliminate 'mic distortion from the questions.

If fact you should do the learning experiments with a dynamic as well.
'Cause all this is going to come up again first time you put a mic on a guitar amp or whatever.

In the end you will a) pick the mic for the one sounds best for what you're doing, b) place the mic where it sounds best, and c) dial in the gains how and where they're needed.
That's the plan.