Recording vocals with a sm58 and a line 6 ux2 woes

[thrash1256]

Hey guys

Me and my buddies are recording our ep at my house and while things are going somewhat smooth, we just can't get a good sound from the sm58 while recording vocals.
It sounds hollow, muffled, and just doesn't sound right at all.
We've tried EQing it in multiple different ways and using different vocal presets on pod farm, but I think it really has to do with the way it was recorded in the first place.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[D_Vincent]

Room treatment (or lack of) could be the problem...I collab with a bunch of singers online and some of their recordings can have a tunnel like sound...Some people record vocals in a closet as well with perhaps a matress or something agaisnt the wall to absorb sound.


Perhaps you guys can try and build a cheap little vocal booth to try and get a better sound...wouldnt hurt to give it a try.

 

[gehauser]

Hey guys

Me and my buddies are recording our ep at my house and while things are going somewhat smooth, we just can't get a good sound from the sm58 while recording vocals.
It sounds hollow, muffled, and just doesn't sound right at all.
We've tried EQing it in multiple different ways and using different vocal presets on pod farm, but I think it really has to do with the way it was recorded in the first place.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Do you need to be closer to the mic? (like 2-3")
Is the room treated or untreated?
Is the mic in a corner or near a wall or ceiling?
Is the mic working properly? (compare to another one)

 

[izman]

Room treatment (or lack of) could be the problem...I collab with a bunch of singers online and some of their recordings can have a tunnel like sound...Some people record vocals in a closet as well with perhaps a matress or something agaisnt the wall to absorb sound.


Perhaps you guys can try and build a cheap little vocal booth to try and get a better sound...wouldnt hurt to give it a try.

there is no dought that the problems is with the room acoustics may be consinder buying a SE Electronics SE-RFPS Project Studio Filter. it will make an instant differences and maybe sort the problem out.

 

[thrash1256]

Do you need to be closer to the mic? (like 2-3")
Is the room treated or untreated?
Is the mic in a corner or near a wall or ceiling?
Is the mic working properly? (compare to another one)

No, if anything we're too close.
No it is not treated, which is most likely the problem. Would going in my closet and putting some towels or something on the wall help?
Middle of the room
And yes the mic is fine.

 

[moresound]

Classic case of the microphone not fitting the vocalist.
Have you tried or own a different microphone? maybe a LDC. And what are you using as a preamp?

 

[D_Vincent]

Been reading some info over at gearslutz...some of the guys mentioned that singing in the closet isnt the best thing to do...they actually mention that perhaps singing into the closet from the outside of closet is a better way to go...then just add some type of material in closet to absorb sound...perhaps a mattress or something like that might work if you didnt want to spend money on room treatment.


Found another cool image of treatment around the mic which looks interesting...might even be able to make one at home...perhaps an old lamp shade and some foam you could cut may do the trick.

 

[RAMI]

I don't know, man. Those foam things look like they'd make things worse, if they do anything at all.

Don't go sing in a closet. That will also make it worse, too.

There are no short-cuts to getting good sounds, especially with vocals. If your room sound like shit, it will record like shit...and a better mic will just magnify that shit.

You need to treat your room and find a mic that's good for the singer's voice.