Pretty new to recording mics. I have a Behringer XM8500 (SM58 knock off but damn good mic) and an XML990 I recently purchased. Both I realize not the top of the tree but both seem to be well respected workhorse budget mics. I am recording into a Zoom R8 recorder.
I have used the Behringer mic before and was pleased with the vocals. Also used it to mic up my amp and was actually amazed at the results. So I thought if that sounded ok could only be better with a Condensor mic, enter the XML....Just not very happy with the results. Kinda sounds a bit thin to me and seem to be getting a bit of distortion even at mid gain. Lower than the volumes of the Behringer. I have it set up around 12" away from my face, face of the mic pointed down slightly towards my neck. Pop filter in front. Phantom power on.
1) Firstly when recording vocals should I be using two tracks? I currently use two, one panned full left, other full right. Gain about midway
2) The gain set to 50% reasonable, 50 - 75%, I am hearing some distortion, but the peak meter not blinking and the input meter levels not even midway compared to other instruments I am
recording. Is that an indication something is wrong or I have set something wrong?
3) As far as I know, and probably wrong....you set the gain on mic or instrument inputs to be just under peaking when pushed. Is that correct?
4) I can select mic/line or guitar inputs. I assume I should be using the MIC / LINE inputs
I have never used a Condenser mic before, maybe I am missing something fundamental? All of my input EQ's are set flat.
Any help appreciated
I have used the Behringer mic before and was pleased with the vocals. Also used it to mic up my amp and was actually amazed at the results. So I thought if that sounded ok could only be better with a Condensor mic, enter the XML....Just not very happy with the results. Kinda sounds a bit thin to me and seem to be getting a bit of distortion even at mid gain. Lower than the volumes of the Behringer. I have it set up around 12" away from my face, face of the mic pointed down slightly towards my neck. Pop filter in front. Phantom power on.
1) Firstly when recording vocals should I be using two tracks? I currently use two, one panned full left, other full right. Gain about midway
2) The gain set to 50% reasonable, 50 - 75%, I am hearing some distortion, but the peak meter not blinking and the input meter levels not even midway compared to other instruments I am
recording. Is that an indication something is wrong or I have set something wrong?
3) As far as I know, and probably wrong....you set the gain on mic or instrument inputs to be just under peaking when pushed. Is that correct?
4) I can select mic/line or guitar inputs. I assume I should be using the MIC / LINE inputs
I have never used a Condenser mic before, maybe I am missing something fundamental? All of my input EQ's are set flat.
Any help appreciated