Recording vocals without a preamp.

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lttoler

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I am about to record vocals for my lil band and need as much tips as possible. I use Reaper and a Line 6 Toneport UX2. As far as mics I have an Audio Technica AT4040 and a Rode K2. I don't have any preamps except the preamp simulators on the Toneport. We have one room in an old house that we record in, and possibly a closet, but I think the room sounds better. Any tips on which mic to use, Toneport settings, or effects to add? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
For something like this, you've really just got to play with settings and use your ears.

BTW--the toneport is a preamp. A preamp is just a device that amplifies a signal (in this case, of a mic) to a recordable level. They're sort of the holy grail of recording because as the amplify they can impart certain characteristics to the sound. There's ultra clean to dirty and sterile to warm they run the gammut. That's what the preamp simulators on that toneport are trying to.

I'd start by bypassing the preamp sims altogether (assuming you can) and just use the mic and the toneport as a "pure" preamp--just amplification, no coloration. Then try some of the simulations. Let your ears be the judge.
 
Yo TToler:

Like, don't do any FX until you are mixing the tracks. Depending on the vocal input, you may need a touch of reverb; then, again, maybe you won't. I would guess that you would since almost EVERYONE who sings uses the reverb function--it just enhances the hell out of a vocal, even a bad vocal. But, don't go overboard or you vocal will sound like it's stuck in a tin can filled with hydrogen molecules. BOOM!

I'm guessing that each mic you mentioned will produce a different result. Then, you have to MIX and smooth out whatever you think may need smoothing!

Have a good time and keep something on ice close by when you mix.

Green Hornet:D
 
Do yourself a favor... unless you want your lead vocals to sound dated and/or distant, don't use any reverb at all on your lead vocal track. Reverb works great on background vox but is best avoided on a lead vox track in most situations - especially if you lack experience recording & mixing vocals. The lead vocal is the most important part of any mix and your goal in most situations should be to put the singer right in front of the listeners face, slightly on top of the mix, singing in key and in time. Record the lead vocal dry, make sure and use a pop filter and punch in meticulously on anything even slightly out of key. If you have autotune installed on your box uninstall it and treat pitch shifting a last resort. Use appropriate eq settings that make sense for the voice you've recorded. Compress but don't obliterate the fricken thing with a high quality compressor (UAD1 LA2A is gorgeous sounding and a 4 year old could use it). De'ess if necessary. Use a high quality delay for fx... don't even look at a reverb (stay away from the shining light!) As far as which mic to use, record something with each of them and use your ears to decide. Dude what did I just tell you? I said "don't even look at a reverb"... and you're looking at it already. Stop that.
 
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