Mic Voice Distortion

[maniac_lonestar]

Ok, I wonder why when I record my voice on a $30 Mic there's sound distortion.

Well first of all, I have an Asian Voice (Vietnamese) but I was born in America. Anyways I sound so wierd in it. Are there any reasons and tips to this problem?

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

it's called clipping

 

[maniac_lonestar]

What do you mean by clipping? Do you mean editing the sound?

What I am asking is that does it determine on the microphone? And does it also depend on how I speak in it and where?

 

[scrubs]

Clipping is distortion caused by overloading the signal (i.e. -- too loud). How are you recording with this microphone (to cassette, computer, digital recorder, etc.)? Can you post a sample of your recording with the problem so we can hear what you mean by distortion?

 

[tourettes5139]

Well first of all, I have an Asian Voice (Vietnamese) but I was born in America. Anyways I sound so wierd in it. Are there any reasons and tips to this problem?

It doesn't have anything to do with your voice, or anything like that.

As for it sounding weird, it is probably just that you are used to hearing your voice one way, yet everyone else (and therefore the microphone) hears your voice a completely different way. I think it is just something that people have to get used to. It was hard for me, and it still is. Or maybe when you said it was weird you meant the distortion thing. Thats probably it. Disregard my post.

I need to pay more attention before I start typing away.

Scrubs nailed it. If you could give us a little more info, then we could help you narrow down the problem.

 

[AGCurry]

My question is: What do you expect from a $30 microphone?

 

[maniac_lonestar]

Ok well I'll show a sample later, anyways well what is the best Microphone placement?

The one I have right now is a heaphone type of microphone. Anyways I'm just so pissed that my voice sounds like I am over 5 years younger then the way I hear it.

 

[PhilGood]

Ok well I'll show a sample later, anyways well what is the best Microphone placement?

The one I have right now is a heaphone type of microphone. Anyways I'm just so pissed that my voice sounds like I am over 5 years younger then the way I hear it.

Sounds like you're going through the "Is that MY voice?" syndrome. Everyone does. What you hear in your head when you speak and sing is not what everyone else hears. Not to mention when its made worse by a crappy mic. You need to do some research.

...a headphone mic?

 

[maniac_lonestar]

A headphone Mic, in my eyes and ears, means a microphone connrected with a heaphone.


Anyways, I know about the voice distortion. But how do I make it sound as accurate as possible?

That's what I need to know!

Edit: Im not gonna show a sample and I do what you mean by clipping, it makes a high pitch ugly soun right? Anyways please delete my other post, it was a double post error.

 

[maniac_lonestar]

A headphone Mic, in my eyes and ears, means a microphone connrected with a heaphone.


Anyways, I know about the voice distortion. But how do I make it sound as accurate as possible?

That's what I need to know!

 

[heroics321]

Anyways, I know about the voice distortion. But how do I make it sound as accurate as possible?

That's what I need to know!

buy a new microphone, preamp, and soundcard. i mean, what can you expect out of a mic like that?

 

[scrubs]

A headphone Mic, in my eyes and ears, means a microphone connrected with a heaphone.


Anyways, I know about the voice distortion. But how do I make it sound as accurate as possible?

That's what I need to know!

Are you referring to something like in the picture below (a gaming headset)? That setup will never be ideal for recording, and I imagine that singing into one of these at any significant volume probably would cause significant distortion.

If you are wanting to record vocals into your computer, you should look into a dedicated vocal microphone (such as a Large Diaphragm Condenser) and a preamp. What type of budget do you have? The cheapest I would recommend would cost you about $200 (for the mic and preamp), but you could literally spend thousands on a nice vocal signal chain.

Inexpensive mics for vocals:
MXL V67g, Studio Projects B1/C1, Audio Technica 2020

Inexpensive preamps:
Studio Projects VTB-1, M-Audio DMP3

Plus you'll need cables to connect the mic to the pre (XLR cable) and from the pre to your soundcard (XLR or 1/4" TRS to 1/8" plug).

 

[maniac_lonestar]

microphone placement

What is the best microphone placement for rap? I dont mean the rap with the instrumentals in it but, just the vocals alone. Then I mix it later.

 

[SonicClang]

Man you're asking some weird questions...

Best mic placement? Well, you have to start with a good mic first. Then it depends on what sound you're going for. But typically the best placement for rap would pretty much be the same as the best placement for all other vocals. Obviously if you're going to be screaming into the thing you'll want to be a little further away, but beyond that, microhpones aren't too discerning. With a good condenser mic you'll just HEAR what sounds good and what doesn't. And it won't clip... unless you've got the gain cranked.

Seriously though, if you're trying to use a mic connected to headphones like the gaming headset, you're starting off on the wrong foot.

 

[scrubs]

What is the best microphone placement for rap? I dont mean the rap with the instrumentals in it but, just the vocals alone. Then I mix it later.

Well, this one is pretty good:

 

[Erockrazor]

Yea , I would say stay maybe like 6 inches or a few more from the mic when singing into it. One big thing with recording is experimentation. Try doing different things and listen to them ... then youll gain better judgement as to what sounds good and what doesnt.

As for the distortion , you could maybe try downloading a trial for an audio program. Then you can monitor how loud your recording is and tell if the signals coming in too loud. Then you figure out how to make the signal less loud and work your way from there. Good Luck.

 

[tourettes5139]

...and I do what you mean by clipping, it makes a high pitch ugly soun right?

No, thats called feedback. That is a completely different phenomenon.

 

[SonicClang]

Well, this one is pretty good:

Oh, now that was good...

 

[maniac_lonestar]

Man you're asking some weird questions...

Best mic placement? Well, you have to start with a good mic first. Then it depends on what sound you're going for. But typically the best placement for rap would pretty much be the same as the best placement for all other vocals. Obviously if you're going to be screaming into the thing you'll want to be a little further away, but beyond that, microhpones aren't too discerning. With a good condenser mic you'll just HEAR what sounds good and what doesn't. And it won't clip... unless you've got the gain cranked.

Seriously though, if you're trying to use a mic connected to headphones like the gaming headset, you're starting off on the wrong foot.

Well my brother bought me a condenser microphone that connects by USB. What is a condenser microphone? He says it's very good for voice. Anyways he lives faraway and can't give it to me yet. So I am borrowing my friends $30 headmicrophone. My voice sounds kind of good but I want it BETTER. What I mean is that I dont want to sound like im underground.

 

[paddyponchero]

Is your brother known as micsales, he isn't by any chance on a barge?