My songs sound crappy, why?

[Doual]

There is something wrong with the sound and I can't figure out what it is. The vocals sound dead. I use the midi instruments and they sound tiny and cheap. Do I need a better interface? What is the weakness in my setup?

Here is my setup: Computer- G5 Mac 8mb cache and 7200rpm, Program- Logic Pro 7, Digital interface- Audiophile m-audio USB, Microphones- Sm57 Shure and Behringer B1 Single Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone, Preamp- Audio Buddy - Budget Microphone preamp.

 

[pandamonk]

There is something wrong with the sound and I can't figure out what it is. The vocals sound dead. I use the midi instruments and they sound tiny and cheap. Do I need a better interface? What is the weakness in my setup?

Here is my setup: Computer- G5 Mac 8mb cache and 7200rpm, Program- Logic Pro 7, Digital interface- Audiophile m-audio USB, Microphones- Sm57 Shure and Behringer B1 Single Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone, Preamp- Audio Buddy - Budget Microphone preamp.

Are you using the standard midi sounds? Why not change the sounds to less tiny and cheap sounds. You can download more midi sounds. Google it!

Your interface, preamp and mics should be fine for getting decent recordings. If vocals sound dead, add some reverb.

I think the weakness in your setup is your experience tbh.

 

[Doual]

I do get alright recordings, but I guess from my personal perspective, especially when compared to say a Timbaland track, it sounds "cheap and tiny". I'm not saying I could recreate Timbalands sound on my setup, but maybe what I should of asked was: how do I make it sound better. I of course use some reverb on the vocals and mix the songs pretty well, well enough to be played on radio stations and such. But what I need to know because I'm definitely not an audio engineer is how do I make it sound better than what it is. Would a better interface make it sound 10% better or a new mic or would I need to upgrade everything to improve the sound?

 

[Yammie072]

try posting an audio sample, it would be much easier to help.

 

[slowmotion]

I do get alright recordings, but I guess from my personal perspective, especially when compared to say a Timbaland track, it sounds "cheap and tiny". I'm not saying I could recreate Timbalands sound on my setup, but maybe what I should of asked was: how do I make it sound better. I of course use some reverb on the vocals and mix the songs pretty well, well enough to be played on radio stations and such. But what I need to know because I'm definitely not an audio engineer is how do I make it sound better than what it is. Would a better interface make it sound 10% better or a new mic or would I need to upgrade everything to improve the sound?

You say you're using MIDI instruments; so to improve the sound of them (apart from mixing and adding effects later); you must get better sounds to start with.

A better mic and a good preamp would help your vocals be better; but as for the MIDI part, you gotta get better instruments/soundfonts (which you can download or buy).

Also, are you mastering your tracks after mixdown? That might be the difference between tiny and huge that you're wanting.

 

[Doual]

The midi instruments are good, but there is something wrong with the sound, which makes me feel like it is a hardware problem. Something is wrong with the overall quality. It doesn't matter what instruments I use or what I record, it loses detail, it loses quality. It doesn't matter how I mix it, something gets lost. I've read books on how to mix, meaning I know how to use equalizers, compressors, delay and such, but there is something still wrong. Are my a/d converters crap? I don't know.

 

[slowmotion]

The midi instruments are good, but there is something wrong with the sound, which makes me feel like it is a hardware problem. Something is wrong with the overall quality. It doesn't matter what instruments I use or what I record, it loses detail, it loses quality. It doesn't matter how I mix it, something gets lost. I've read books on how to mix, meaning I know how to use equalizers, compressors, delay and such, but there is something still wrong. Are my a/d converters crap? I don't know.

Ah. Maybe. Do notice this quality issue when using your gear, or afterwards when it's played on something else?

What monitors are you using?

 

[fuzzrhythm]

What monitors are you using?

And is your room treated?

 

[legionserial]

I've read books on how to mix, meaning I know how to use equalizers, compressors, delay and such, but there is something still wrong. Are my a/d converters crap? I don't know.

Reading books is a good start, but it's not the be all and end all. How long have you actually been putting that knowledge into practice? It takes experience on top of knowledge to get the results you want. No book will train your ears for you.

One other possibility...what sample rate are you recording at?

 

[Doual]

My monitors are: Rokit 8 KRK and I have a sub that is KRK too. The sample rate I'm using is 96,000 Hz. That's the highest rate I can get my computer to work at because my interface seems to overload the system. Maybe the sample rate is the problem?

 

[legionserial]

I don't know how to put this, and I really don't mean to sound mean, but maybe you just need more practice. I think most of the people here are willing to admit to themselves that there's room for improvement. How long have you been recording/mixing/whatever for?

 

[Doual]

I've been doing it for about 3 years. I know I definitely need practice. I'm no pro. I honestly think there is something else wrong besides my lack of experience. I took my stuff to a professional producer, last night, here in town and he can't figure it out either. He recommended I take it to an audio engineer, which I'm doing this afternoon. It seems like there is something wrong with the overall sound that when the sound gets pulled through my setup it loses quality.

 

[Chili]

Definitely post your mixes in the MP3 clinic. You'll get good, meaningful feedback.

Peace,

 

[killthepixelnow]

I think you're using el cheapo MIDI samples and that's the rason they sound tiny. There' s a lot fo sites and places where to get decent MIDI libraries.

In the other hand you're relying too much on equipment. You think problems are gonna be solved by buying more expensive gear. It doesn't work like that. I've heard really kick ass songs that were done with few mics, headphones and a small mixer. Difference is these guys know how to use what they have on their hands.

One little thing more: Mastering is not an easy job and must be done by someone who knows its job. It can make a huge differente.

Post some samples!

 

[pandamonk]

I've been doing it for about 3 years. I know I definitely need practice. I'm no pro. I honestly think there is something else wrong besides my lack of experience. I took my stuff to a professional producer, last night, here in town and he can't figure it out either. He recommended I take it to an audio engineer, which I'm doing this afternoon. It seems like there is something wrong with the overall sound that when the sound gets pulled through my setup it loses quality.

Are you saying it sounds fine on your setup, then when you take it elsewhere it doesn't sound as good? Like someone else asked, is your room acoustically treated?

If you are getting good sounds with the equipment and it only degrades after you save/export it, or whatever, then it has nothing to do with your mic, interface, or preamp. It could be that you're exporting wrongly or whatever.

Is it just that it doesn't sound loud/as good compared to professional recorded and mastered tracks. It will sound wimpy next to a mastered track. You just have to send it away to be mastered, or learn to master yourself.

What is it that sounds so bad about it? A sample would be great. We can't tell you how to make it sound better without knowing what is wrong with it.

 

[Monkey Allen]

try posting an audio sample, it would be much easier to help.

Fuck yammie...what did you do wrong in 20 odd posts in less than a month to get a killer rep like that?