My setup - anything else to add?

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Hobbit6

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Hello

I have two following bits of equipment:

* Firepod Audio Interface
* AKG C414B-XLS/XLII microphone (http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--AKGC414BXLS)

I am trying to record very simple vocal + acoustic guitar songs, but something just doesn't sound right to me. Vocals come out sort of flat. Guitar sounds ok, but I'm not much concerned about it, since in my songs all focus is on voice, guitar is just there to provide rhytm. I know that it's not my voice itself that's flat, as I've recorded in studios before and it sounded just fine.

My question is: what am I missing? Is there some key part of this recording set up that could be radically improved? I'm using the mic preamps built in Firepod, so maybe a separate more powerful preamp would help? Or is it that I'm applying the software effects (comp, reverb, EQ, etc) incorrectly?

Any advise is highly appreciated!
 
Hobbit6 said:
Or is it that I'm applying the software effects (comp, reverb, EQ, etc) incorrectly?
Click to expand...

Does the vocal sound "flat" before you add signal processing?
How is the mic set? (freq. setting / pattern selector)
 
JoeBannon,

I'm thinking of spending something in that price range. Would it really make that much of a difference?

Dalley,

I've played around with those, but didn't see much change/improvement. So I left them at default setting. I've tried this and that, but now I guess I'm just looking for a quick and dirty solution that would improve sound out of the box...
 
Hobbit6 said:
I'm thinking of spending something in that price range. Would it really make that much of a difference?
Click to expand...



You need a different mic pre-amp to get rid of the "flat". You also need a compressor, especially for vocals. The one Q and six Q (Joe Meek) has them both, but the one Q would be best for vocals.

I also use the TC Electronic m-one XL, which is for adding vocal effects; reverb, delay, chorus, etc.
 
JoeBannon,

I thought that compression during record was a basic no-no? Does it have any advantage over compression that's added during the mix via software effects?
 
I don't know who told you that. My answer to whomever said it ... why do so many studio (and EXPENSIVE) pre-amps have compression?! Even the Joe Meeks I posted have it, and it's no where near the cost of my neves -lol.

The problem with using software is that it's not the way you want it before it was recorded. Granted, there are some high end systems that make it so you can't tell, but WHY record something that isn't the way you want it first. I look at software, and yes I do this, as a way to enhance what you have. Example... would you record a man's voice and alter it on the computer to make it sound like a woman?!
 
BTW, the advantage is quality. Audio is like an image... it can only hold so much information. If you alter the image/sound, it loses quality.
 
There are a lot of factors that could affect your vocal sound outside a pre and a compressor. The 414 is a world-class mic, but not exactly right on some voices. It's a bit bright of center, if you know what I mean... so POSSIBLY a fuller sounding mic would do the trick. Also, is your room treated? The room could be wreaking havoc on your sound. Are you far away from the mic, or right on top of it? Closer gets you more proximity effect (assuming you're in cardiod). That might make you sound bigger, fuller, etc.
 
My room is not treated, but for some reason it sounds very tight, no echo. Of course, there could be some improvement in a treated room, but I don't think it's the main reason. As for the mic...I have a pretty low voice, so it might not be the ideal mic for me, but either way, it should have a fuller sound, even if brighter than what I'm looking for. I sing from half-foot to a foot away from mic...but then I have a loud voice.

I think I'll go buy a good expensive mic pre and see if recordings improve drastically. If not, then I'll return it and look for solutions elsewhere...
 
Hobbit6 said:
JoeBannon,

I thought that compression during record was a basic no-no? Does it have any advantage over compression that's added during the mix via software effects?
Click to expand...

Well for one, SW doesn't quite do the job as well as a HW component.

If it did, we'd all be using them since it's usually cheaper.

Depending on your needs you might want to compress during the recording chain, or to use it OTB during mastering, or anywhere in-between.

It's really up to you, but I usually see it done as part of the initial recording chain.

When you say "flat" do you mean that as in volume, tone,...?

Do you want something that sounds a bit more in your face, or just colored?

Depending on your answers, you might need to go to a different mic, a different pre, add a compressor, or EQ to the mix. There are even speciality devices that will help add some sparkle to your recordings.

The great, and oft-times, maddening thing is the combinations you can come up with and how you need to play around with things.

My opinion would be to try playing with the mic through an actual tube pre with a versitile compressor and a half-decent EQ for starters. Depending on your tastes, you can adjust the flavor from there and push it through your firepod into your computer.

YMMV
 
Hobbit6 said:
Hello

I have two following bits of equipment:

* Firepod Audio Interface
* AKG C414B-XLS/XLII microphone (http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--AKGC414BXLS)

I am trying to record very simple vocal + acoustic guitar songs, but something just doesn't sound right to me. Vocals come out sort of flat. Guitar sounds ok, but I'm not much concerned about it, since in my songs all focus is on voice, guitar is just there to provide rhytm. I know that it's not my voice itself that's flat, as I've recorded in studios before and it sounded just fine.

My question is: what am I missing? Is there some key part of this recording set up that could be radically improved? I'm using the mic preamps built in Firepod, so maybe a separate more powerful preamp would help? Or is it that I'm applying the software effects (comp, reverb, EQ, etc) incorrectly?

Any advise is highly appreciated!
Click to expand...

What are you using to listen to your recordings? Monitors? Headphones?
 
It's impossible to say what the problem is without hearing a clip. I wouldn't expect a new preamp to solve the problem. It's probably a mic placement or effects issue.
 
I don't like the sound of the akg on acoustic or voice. It sounded dark and muddy to me, like lots of low mids. Which doesn't really match with it's frequency response, so maybe I used a broken one? Maybe try cutting low mids, maybe try a different mic.
 
pre amps have compressors in them because they are called Channel strips.
 
TragikRemix said:
pre amps have compressors in them because they are called Channel strips.
Click to expand...


what the blue hell are you talking about?

a preamp is a preamp...a compressor is a compressor.

a channel strip normally contains PAD , EQ, sometimes compressor, but not always.(sometimes DI, sometimes pan, sometimes automation)
 
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