Noob asks help!!!!!

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krissy

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Hello everyone!
First of all, I'm not english,or american or whatever :D So excuse me if there are any mistakes in my thread.
I'm here to ask help because I seriously need it! I'm new in the home recording, my husband bought me all of that professional stuff and I'm trying to figure out how to make it work.
The question I have is this: When I reach the high notes ( I love belting!), even if the sound doesn't clip or get distorted, I can hear a very boring noise.
Only if I keep the gain REAL low that noise sometimes disappear, but if I keep that so low... then my voice is too low and the recording doesn't come good at all, even if i try to mix it.
I don't know what to think!!!! :confused::confused::confused:
 
HI Krissy, welcome to the onderful world of home recording, where just when you think you know everything you need to know, you find you don't!

First it would help to know exactly what equipment you have - what mic, what interface, what DAW (software) you are using. We don't know what you mean by 'boring noise'. After you have a minimum number of posts here at HR.com (10 I think), you can post an MP3 clip, or link to it so we can hear what you mean.
 
First it would help to know exactly what equipment you have - what mic, what interface, what DAW (software) you are using. We don't know what you mean by 'boring noise'. After you have a minimum number of posts here at HR.com (10 I think), you can post an MP3 clip, or link to it so we can hear what you mean.

Hi mjb! Thanks for your answer!
Ok so here's my equipment: Microphone Behringer B-1. Sound card Tascam Us- 2x2. I'm using Ableton live 9 as software.
The noise is like the sound go clipping... but it doesn't clip at all! The red light on my sound card doesn't switch on.
It happens only when I reach high notes... the rest is clear and nicely listenable :drunk:
 
Try switching the -10dB pad on. Posting an MP3 would really help. :)
 
i'm going to follow this thread because I actually have that problem too sometimes. Never mentioned it because I kind of forgot about it. AudioBox USB w/ AT4040. The red light doesn't turn on but I can hear a grating-type sound. Like clipping would be, but without it registering.
 
What are the levels you are getting within your DAW? Make sure nothing is clipping internally. In fact make sure you are not even close to clipping. Around -18dBFS is the range you want to record at. Also make sure you aren't pegging any plugins. Compressors or limiters especially.

It could just be that that particular mic is not suited for your voice. I have a client I work with with an incredibly powerful high register. Rode NT1a just sounded like garbage when he belted out. Shure SM7b was the only thing in my collection of mics that could handle him.

And keep posting here. I believe it is ten posts before you can post that MP3. :)
 
What are the levels you are getting within your DAW? Make sure nothing is clipping internally. In fact make sure you are not even close to clipping. Around -18dBFS is the range you want to record at. Also make sure you aren't pegging any plugins. Compressors or limiters especially.

)

How can i check that? I have no idea :confused:
 
You should have VU meters that deflect with the input audio signal similar to the image below (this is supposedly Live 6). As Jimmy stated you likely want to be around -18dBFS. The level shown that is "OK" is a shade below -12.
 

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As others have said, avoid clipping during the loud parts. You might try moving away from the mic during the louder parts, and closer during the softer parts. Compression will help too.
 
And keep in mind that just because your interface (Tascam) isn't clipping, does not mean that your input to your DAW is not. 'Gain staging' is a key point to look at. The Tascam interface specs show 57dB of preamp gain ability. You are likely pushing to loud of a signal into your DAW (Ableton) when you do not need nor want to.

Paying close attention to the input level in your DAW is of utmost importance in achieving good results.

And again, even if you have to use this thread as a host, reply away here until you are able to post a sample of what you are hearing. It will give us insight into your issue. In audio, a sample is worth a thousand words...

:)
 
And keep in mind that just because your interface (Tascam) isn't clipping, does not mean that your input to your DAW is not. 'Gain staging' is a key point to look at. The Tascam interface specs show 57dB of preamp gain ability. You are likely pushing to loud of a signal into your DAW (Ableton) when you do not need nor want to.

Paying close attention to the input level in your DAW is of utmost importance in achieving good results.

And again, even if you have to use this thread as a host, reply away here until you are able to post a sample of what you are hearing. It will give us insight into your issue. In audio, a sample is worth a thousand words...

:)


Thanks a lot to all of you guys!!
Probably, the problem could be the input in Ableton because I've never checked it. I thought Tascam was enough.
Can anyone explain me how to check the gain of Ableton? I don't know how to do it!
I can't wait to post a sample :o
 
I tried to attach a picture of Ableton!
It's in italian, but I guees you can help me anyway :p Where can I set the gain?
I'll make a sample of the problem and try to attach this, as well!
Thanks a lot guys!
 

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Krissy, bit technical this but..
I don't know if that Tascam uses ASIO drivers but if not you have installed it as a "generic" USB Device and Windows will slam the gain to 100%.
Go into Win Sounds and Devices menu, find the AI and set Recording Level to 5, yes five % or maybe less.

Dave.
 
Krissy, bit technical this but..
I don't know if that Tascam uses ASIO drivers but if not you have installed it as a "generic" USB Device and Windows will slam the gain to 100%.
Go into Win Sounds and Devices menu, find the AI and set Recording Level to 5, yes five % or maybe less.

Dave.

Yes, it uses ASIO drivers! Does it change something?
:drunk:I'll try!
 
Yes, it uses ASIO drivers! Does it change something?
:drunk:I'll try!
Yes, ASIO drivers (afaik!) take over the control of audio from Windoze.

Been a long time since I have tried Abe L, not keen on the "cut & shunt" DAWs!

Dave.
 
Focus on the good advice these guys are giving you first. Just a couple thoughts came to my mind with some mics you can clip the microphone, and it you a doing a song with really quiet to very loud,you can record them separately with different amounts of gain and distances from mic.
 
Focus on the good advice these guys are giving you first. Just a couple thoughts came to my mind with some mics you can clip the microphone, and it you a doing a song with really quiet to very loud,you can record them separately with different amounts of gain and distances from mic.

I tried to to this, but didn't solve the problem, because the quiet parts come very nicely but the loud are bad,even if the tascam doesn't clip.
And if I move from the microphone, the sounds seem really "far"; so, I try to raise the volume of the record... and then that boring clipping-like noise come!!!
That's why I'm pretty sure that the problem could be some Ableton or windows settings that I don't know about... because it happens when I turn the volume up in ableton... :confused:
I didn't have the time to do a sample today, I'll post it tomorrow :drunk:
 
as has been mentioned a sample clip would be a big help. I work with a singer that has a really strong voice, if you are going from really quite to really loud the next instant, maybe use distance control on the mic, such as pulling away at the loud part, keeping the gain input steady and consistent is sometimes a challenge. Keep at it.:D
 
I will say that I have heard that the Behringer B1 is shit for vocals. Though some embrace it.

I have never used one myself. If it is anything like the MXL 990, throw it away and forget it ever happened...
 
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