Need Help with new SE X1 Mic

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MasterRS

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Hi I bought a new SEX1 mic but i cant find on the SE X1 site what all the buttons on the front of the mic are for. As to the left you have one which says +10 and -10 I obviously thought these are to do recording. But on the right hand side theres three markers i have it central now i assumed these are left and right but wanted to check?
If anybody could help would be appreciated as I looked up google and the SE X1 site for the manual but i couldn't actually see anywhere in the manual like a overview of the mic and functions of the front of it just instructions otherwise.
The other problem I'm having is I dropped the mic and it has a slight dint on the left hand side which i didn't notice. However it is recording fine but I noticed theres alot of hissing on 's' and etc which even after using cooledit hiss reduction, noise reduction and de essr I can't seem to get out. I am recording using the sound filter and pop filter but i just wondered if maybe am too close to the mic am not sure? Any hints would be appreciated.
Also I have been searching the internet and theres 100s of different editing and mastering tutorials..can anyone recommend me some good ones for cooledit pro/cubase 5 these are the two softwares I have.

Many Thanks
 
First google result for me was SE Electronics X1 Bundle.

"Encouragingly, this mic includes the 10dB pad and low-frequency cut switches that so often get missed off budget mics"


Can't imagine dropping it made it hissy sounding, but i guess anything's possible.

Educated guess is that you need to work at the mic position a little.
Don't go for de essers, noise reduction, hiss reduction etc. Just get the sound right at the start.

For example, singing 'past' the mic can help with that kind of thing, or mounting the mic so the xlr socket is at eye level, the pointing it downwards and singing up into it can help cos it picks up more sound from your body.

Your pronunciation itself is a huge factor. I record a guy who just IS essy, always, so I used an sm7b with the foam head on.

Mic technique in general is an artform in itself. The idea of leaning back when you swell in volume, or controlling esses manually. Turning your head to the side a little; that kind of thing.

If you're double tracking, consider completely leaving out hard consonants an esses on the duplicate copies. You wont miss them, In fact it can really tidy up the final product.


Using the mic in an untreated room with HF reflections could be a cause also. You're using the reflection filter though aren't you?


With regard to editing and mastering tutorials, everything I've ever needed has been you youtube TBH.

I would absolutely forget about mastering, completely, seriously, Honestly!!!

There's never going to be a nice way to word this, but you're not there yet. Not even close.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not either, but seriously just forget it :)
 
Hi,

Thanks for that. I didnt even realise I had dinted it as I dropped it in the protective box but only the other day I noticed it had dinted it. I don't think its effected the performance of the mic but obviously will when I resell it I guess?
And thanks for the hint I'm going to have to try what you've said with positioning and I agree I noticed that when i am rapping stuff like 'riches' sounded like I was saying 'bitches' it was quite annonying as I tried upping the volume so you could head it but I must have a lisp or something so I'm having to work aorund it but I find that if you listen theres the constant hiss on some works. I'll definetely have to try what you've said and see if it helps with the SE X1. As for the implication on Google. Thats great but it doesn't help me with what I originally stated (i'm lost to what the 3 buttons on the right of the mic are) and also why would you have +10dp pad etc im confused surely you volume the mic with pc?

Thanks
 
The one on the left is a pad. This lowers the output level of the microphone for louder sources. Unless you are a yeller, keep it at 0. The one on the right I assume is a high pass filter. I cant see it but I would assume left is off. is there a symbol to the right that looks like a flat line that drops down at an angle?
 
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Oh right I see! What is a low pass filter. And to verify I've taken a photograph of the side of the mic I'm not sure what it is you can see here -
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...165828_100002685014602_135159_461402090_n.jpg Can I also ask I got told that basically you should never normalise vocals using cooledit as your recording levels are fine and normalising ruins the vocals..is this true? Just I got told basically you should rap 3 times on 3 seperate tracks and in one take out the bass..then the treb then the mid..but i have no idea how you do it? Lol? Also whats the best settings ie: 4800 32 bit etc I should be recording at as could this be effecting the hissing on recording? Also I wanted to know..in terms of VST Plugins compatible with Cubase 5 and Cooleditpro whats a good site for free VST Plug ins that are pretty good? Thanks guys all help appreciated.
 
MasterRS said:
What is a low pass filter.
Click to expand...

A low pass filter cuts out (actually rolls off) frequencies higher than a certain level - so that frequencies LOWer than that PASS through the FILTER. Consequently a high pass filter allows frequencies above a certian level to pass through, and rolls off lower frequencies.

MasterRS said:
Just I got told basically you should rap 3 times on 3 seperate tracks and in one take out the bass..then the treb then the mid..but i have no idea how you do it? Lol?
Click to expand...

I guess that's a technique you could try, but maybe you should first work on just recording one track and getting it to sound decent. You can also then record a second track that's exactly the same and experiment with making some parts of the song fuller or more emphasized.

I hope none of this sounds condescending. I'm learning, just like you are. I'm just suggesting you take smaller steps on your path to greatness.
 
Sorry, that is a high pass filter. A high pass filter allows higher frequencies to pass. The switch on your mic cuts some off the low end out. Sorry, gotta run.
 
Also, I was totally deceived by the title of this thread. I thought you needed help with a SEX mic, and I was very curious...
 
Brother rat is right, but Master, you've mixed it up.

Jimmy said it's a high pass filter. You've changed it to low! :p


It is indeed a high pass. It will roll off the low frequencies. Especially useful on outdoor mics where wind rumble is a factor, or in live applications.

In the studio i don't use them because you are committed. That bass is gone forever, whereas if I use an eq plugin, I can always let a little more bass through if I want.

The pad would be for super loud sources like micing a drumkit or something. If your preamp gain is at zero and your levels are peaking, you need a pad. Otherwise, you don't.

Hope that helps.
 
jimmys69 said:
Sorry, that is a high pass filter.
Click to expand...


Did you do a sneaky edit on us Jimmy? Tut Tut.

I'd love to hear a clip massa, cos sure, maybe the mic doesn't suit your voice, but the chances are you'll get a lot out of experimentation and practicing mic technique.
 
definetely edited and changed that and yeah am gunna play around guys with the mic deff experiment see what happens..what about my vst question any help with that guyts?
 
I'd say you probably have all the tools you need. It's really just about spending time getting to know them,
but if you want sa'mo, there's a sticky thread in here somewhere with a list of sources for free plugins.

Never used any of them cos i bought a waves bundle years ago, but i did look through the thread once. It's quite a resource!
 
i cant find this sticky thread for VSTs can someone post it please? thanks
 
I can't vouch for any of the plugs, or even confirm if the links still work, but here's the thread.
 
Thanks guys. Thanks to your advice. I've found that recording from the side and doing level checks before with Cubase 5 I've found a sound for the mic I'm really happy with. I've also been reading and watching alot of tutorials on mastering/editing/eq. However I found alot of tutorials say different things. Can anyone recommend me a good youtube mastering and eq tutorial to watch?
Also I can't seem to find a decent delay for one which you hear on like Eminem's track etc..you know which is like for example when you say 'HELLO..IT GOES HELLO O O O' then fades out kinda thing..instead I've got echoes that can't be heard its weird..

HELP APPRECIATED..Thanks
 
Personally I only use tutorials to learn what functions something has (what the knobs and buttons actually do), or to learn how to create a specific technique.

I wouldn't really recommend tutorials on eq and stuff. Just turn the knobs and see what they do. Your ears will do the rest.
 
Hi YEAH i agree mate. I did read the tutorial and also watch the steinburg DVD on the program and it helped slightly but I find rather reading the manual etc I learn better myself from watching then playing around.
I changed alot on the song ive worked on and this is the final product im happy with which I listened to through my TV and also laptop...let me know what you guys think..

RS & Alicia-On Fire [Produced by AllRounda & RS] *BRAND NEW 2011* - YouTube
 
But still any sites or stuff people could recommend be appreciated..and feedback with the mix. But please note if your going to leave feedback canyou tell me how to do it on cubase 5.1 thanks :)
 
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