Question on Synching

[ilovesushi]

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to the whole recording vocals idea, so I have some questions, haha. Thanks for taking the time to help! ^-^

So the mic that I use is the Shure KSM32, and the interface that I use is the Emu0404.

1. Sometimes Audacity gives me issues when I stop recording. It'll stop working (gray out) and I'm forced to quit. Anything I didn't save just disappears. Is that just me? Did I download something wrong? Or what's up with that?

2. When I'm recording I tend to listen to an instrumental or original version of the song when I'm singing into the mic. Unfortunately, whenever I put it together with the instrumental mp3 on audacity, it sounds off beat at certain moments. If I put insert or delete a few milliseconds, the vocals sync up with the music again. It's odd especially since shifting those few milliseconds will also fix up the following song lines after. Then it'll sound all nice and dandy until a moment causes it to unsync again. And it gets really frustrating. I don't think it's me, but then again I'm new, so maybe me myself am really singing it off at certain parts of the song?

3. When you're recording, is it more preferable to record on a single sensitivity setting on the interface, or do you change the sensitivity according to the power and volume needed in the song?

4. I've tried several different sensitivity settings on my interface, as well as trying to sing super close or medium range or super far from the mic. However, I've been having a really hard time trying to catch the small nuances of my singing. I can hear it in real life, but the recording doesn't catch it. And by nuances, I mean things like an increase in vocal power and/or volume (just two examples amongst many). In other words, when I hear myself in real life it has a power to it, but when I listen to it on the recording, it sounds rather flat. Unless I'm just not as good as I think I am, please help! D:

5. Lastly, I could use some tips on how to best use the Emu0404 interface. I feel like it may be hindering the potential of the Shure KSM32, but I'm so new to these things that it's only a feeling. :/

Thanks again for anyone who's reading this and willing to help! ^-^

 

[bouldersoundguy]

1. Sometimes Audacity gives me issues when I stop recording. It'll stop working (gray out) and I'm forced to quit. Anything I didn't save just disappears. Is that just me? Did I download something wrong? Or what's up with that?

Return it for a refund?

2. When I'm recording I tend to listen to an instrumental or original version of the song when I'm singing into the mic. Unfortunately, whenever I put it together with the instrumental mp3 on audacity, it sounds off beat at certain moments. If I put insert or delete a few milliseconds, the vocals sync up with the music again. It's odd especially since shifting those few milliseconds will also fix up the following song lines after. Then it'll sound all nice and dandy until a moment causes it to unsync again. And it gets really frustrating. I don't think it's me, but then again I'm new, so maybe me myself am really singing it off at certain parts of the song?

Hard to say. When I first recorded myself playing to a track I was sure the sync was off. The more I did it the better the sync got. It was me.

3. When you're recording, is it more preferable to record on a single sensitivity setting on the interface, or do you change the sensitivity according to the power and volume needed in the song?

Research the phrase "gain structure".

4. I've tried several different sensitivity settings on my interface, as well as trying to sing super close or medium range or super far from the mic. However, I've been having a really hard time trying to catch the small nuances of my singing. I can hear it in real life, but the recording doesn't catch it. And by nuances, I mean things like an increase in vocal power and/or volume (just two examples amongst many). In other words, when I hear myself in real life it has a power to it, but when I listen to it on the recording, it sounds rather flat. Unless I'm just not as good as I think I am, please help! D:

Normally you hear your own voice through the air and also through bone conduction. It is a universal experience to hear yourself differently on a recording from how you think you sound. The bone conduction element is removed. Trust the recording. Use good headphones or even in-ear monitors when doing vocal takes. You may need your voice fairly strong in the monitors to overcome the effect of bone conduction.

 

[ilovesushi]

Return it for a refund?

Hahaha, yeah, I probably will. But I was wondering if it was just me, or if there's a way to fix it.

Hard to say. When I first recorded myself playing to a track I was sure the sync was off. The more I did it the better the sync got. It was me.

Wow... that's really weird. But thanks! I guess the best way to fix it will be to keep practicing.

Research the phrase "gain structure".

Oh, I know what 'gain structure' is and what the effects are. I'm just wanted to know if people preferred changing the settings around depending on the part of the song, or if they keep it at one setting only.

Normally you hear your own voice through the air and also through bone conduction. It is a universal experience to hear yourself differently on a recording from how you think you sound. The bone conduction element is removed. Trust the recording. Use good headphones or even in-ear monitors when doing vocal takes. You may need your voice fairly strong in the monitors to overcome the effect of bone conduction.

Wow, I see. That clears up a lot. Guess more practice for me, haha! Thanks again! ^-^

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Wow... that's really weird. But thanks! I guess the best way to fix it will be to keep practicing.

Since you fix it for one part and the parts after are good for a while is seems possible it's a technical glitch.

Oh, I know what 'gain structure' is and what the effects are. I'm just wanted to know if people preferred changing the settings around depending on the part of the song, or if they keep it at one setting only.

If different parts of a song have different functions or character it may be useful to record them differently, including everything from the mic to the gain to any hardware processing before the interface. Even monitoring can vary. If you want to sound like you are singing loudly then run your gain a little light and bury your voice a little in the monitors so you have to sing harder.

 

[Opivy]

how much money do you get when you return audacity?

I'm gonna get rich!!!!