Presonus Studio One DAW help! Extremely low recording volume + abnormal distortion

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bookzie

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Hello! Please bare with me and help me T_T.

I'm using presonus studio one 2 as a DAW to mix/edit my simple vocal+instrumental tracks. The effects and the ease-of-use is amazing. However, when I record with my mic (Zoom H2), the waveforms (and therefore the volume) is very small/low compared to the waveforms of the instrumental. When I increase the volume using EQ and compression, the volume does increase significantly, but so does distortion! Limiting barely helps. To check if the program itself was the problem, I recorded on another program--Sony Vegas Pro. The waveforms were onpar with the instrumentals, and only slight distortion occurred (of which i can easily fix by adjusting recording distance).

P.S. I tried changing my mic distance and mic gain to fix the problem, but the general issue is still there!

Anyone know of a solution to make recording a bit easier and better for me?
 
You're using the Zoom to record vocals? Right? Instead of trying to increase the vocal level in the DAW, decrease the instrumental level and match up the two tracks. Don't use EQ (!) or compression to raise volume. Are you recording only the vocals, against an already existing instrumental track?
 
thank you so much for the reply! Yep, i am using the Zoom to record vocals.

I have a few questions about that as well. Does that mean i shouldnt apply EQ or compression? or just not for the sole method of raising my vocal volume?

Also, I have a big trouble finding if the final/rendered project volume will be in a good range ex. music may come out too quiet or too loud with distortion.

I either record with pre-existing instrumental track or with guitar/piano!
 
How are you getting audio from the H2 into your DAW?
 
aha! i knew someone would ask that lol! i am using the Zoom H2 as a usb mic/audio interface. I know that the general consensus is that zoom h2 as a usb mic is terrible, but i dont think its the cause of the problem -- same problem when i used the H2 as a portable handheld.
 
Might help if you can put up some samples.

When you record, are you leaving all DAW controls alone? The channel fader for your vocal should be left at the 0dB position for the recording.

When you record vocals, what levels are you seeing on the meter in the DAW and the meter on the H2? On the DAW, you want to get peaks at around say -10dB to -12dB while recording.

As mentioned earlier, don't use compression or eq for getting levels. Use your channel fader to raise or lower the track volume after it is recorded.

Paul
 
I will upload some samples tomorrow as i cant upload them right now!

I am leaving all DAW controls alone --with both the instrumental and vocal at 0db.

The meter on the DAW is very low without EQ and compression, but is very high (distortion) after EQ and compression. If i do find a middle ground after tweaking with the effects, the resulting vocal quality and volume is distasteful.
As for the Zoom H2, i was told -6db is around fine for vocal recording.

When i post samples of recordings, i will also take screen shots of the vocal waveforms v instrumental waveforms without any effects added!.
 
Did you try to take existing recordings and lower the instrumental volume in relation to the vocal volume (with the faders/input gain in the DAW)? When you sing into the Zoom, are you applying the comp/EQ as it goes in, or are you doing this when the vocal is already in the DAW? You should not be using EQ or comp to raise the volume of the vocal. Try experimenting--raise the input gain on the Zoom and record a vocal. (Don't get too close to the mics!) If you can get a mic to plug into the Zoom (assuming this is possible), try that. It's entirely possible that the instrumental stuff is too loud to begin with, and the vocal is low, but actually acceptable.
 
What are the mic settings on the Zoom? Front 90 cardioid, rear 120 cardioid, or surround 360?
 
Does the Zoom have a pad? Check to make sure it's not on if it has.
 
i am recording it RAW, which means i am not using any features built into the zoom h2, such as lowcut or compression/limits. i am editing only on Studio One! I have of course experimented with low, mid, high gain, and with distance from the mic.

I tried lowering the instrumental track to match the low-level vocal, and it actually sounds good, but how will i know if the rendered file will be too quiet? after after i apply EQ and Compressions for the sake of applying effects, wont the vocal volume increase above the instrumental, this time?

I use Front 90 cardioid
 
soundcloud.com/josephan/daughters-final <-- this is is the BEST mixing/editing I did with this song, if i messed with it more, it would have distorted... It's honestly O.K, but i want the vocals to be crisp and in your face--the vocals here sound a bit distant


soundcloud.com/josephan/mixdown<- this is the same song without any effects and with both the vocals and the instrumental at 0db.
 
A pad switch lowers the output of a microphone. It is used when, for example, you have very loud sound source. It is intended to prevent distortion through loud levels. If the Zoom has a pad, it may be engaged, which would explain the low level apparently coming form it.
 
As far as I know, the Zoom H2 doesnt have anything like a pad switch--just a gain switch from low mid high
 
I generally record from about 3 feet from the mic at mid gain
 
So, you're good--I'll listen at Soundcloud. You seem to be a little obsessed with compression and EQ--try just raising the overall volume at the Master Out first (You know, the sliders that send the Main mix to the source.), and also get the vocal to at least sit in the mix as best you can without the comp or any other heavy-duty processing. Experiment, and check the distortion levels in the rendered (Mp3?) files. If you're new at this, I'd leave the compression alone. The source vocal is likely sub-par, and I'll bet you don't have the greatest compressor. By all means experiment, but read up on compression (and EQ) first. There's plent of information out there. Many newbies think that compression is the magick glue that's going to do all kinds of great things for their tracks or mixes.
 
Okay, I listened--the "mixdown" version is better, I think. It sounds like you used a little too much comp and EQ on the "final" version. The type of song you've got here (and it's a good song) doesn't warrant an "in your face" approach. Really, you just need to mix all the vocals a bit better in the song--instead of comp, use track automation to get vocals to sit in there. Where did the instrumental track come from? Is that you? If you were able to mix all elements separately (vocals, guitars, percussion, etc.) you'd have a slightly easier go at getting the vox to sit in there. As it is now, the source limitations (the mics) are showing a bit, but overall, there is little distortion in "mixdown" and it sounds pretty good. "Final" is loaded with sibilance (you might say it's too "trebly"). I'm sure sooner rather than later you'll get a proper mic and pre-amp and the vocal work (not to mention other stuff) will improve greatly.
 
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