Recording Vocals

[litwinaj]

I am a begginner recorder obviously and I have recently purchased a Br-1600. I have recorded songs over and over and learned mroe stuff over the couple months. However, I am continuing on having a problem getting vocals to be clear. Sometimes you can feel like a quick change in vocals louder than everything else (if that makes any sense). I am a decent singer but when I go through the machine I can't get it to sound quite right. I am looking for advice in recording vocals in any way possible. I would of course like advice specifically for the BR-1600 but anything from anyone will help. I have a post of a demo my band has recorded:

www.myspace.com/meetingformidwinter

AJ

 

[Nick_Black]

don't dubble post, you can edit your post's but any way, what device are you recording onto? if it's your PC what sound card? are you moving around when you sing (sorry i can't listen to your demo right now becouse I'm on a school PC but i'll have a listen when i get home) but for now it will help if we know what your recording on to.

 

[Dogbreath]

I'm at work so I can't listen but there are a few factors that come into play.

What's your signal chain? Mic, pre, etc...do you use comp? Effects?

Details, baby...

 

[kojdogg]

I am a begginner recorder obviously and I have recently purchased a Br-1600. I have recorded songs over and over and learned mroe stuff over the couple months. However, I am continuing on having a problem getting vocals to be clear. Sometimes you can feel like a quick change in vocals louder than everything else (if that makes any sense). I am a decent singer but when I go through the machine I can't get it to sound quite right. I am looking for advice in recording vocals in any way possible. I would of course like advice specifically for the BR-1600 but anything from anyone will help. I have a post of a demo my band has recorded:

www.myspace.com/meetingformidwinter

AJ

It could be any number of things-- from the microphone, to the acoustic properties of the room, to the preamp, to the technique of the singer, the level of signal into the recorded, etc. A simple fix might be to try using eq (equalization) on the BR-1600. You might be able to make the vocals a little more clear by adding eq at 5khz (or by turning up the high eq on the track), but this also might make the vocals more sibilant (pronouced, almost distorted "ess" or "shhh" sounds). Eq is basically a volume control that is specific to certain frequencies. Depending on how your recorder is set up, it may let you define the center frequency (treble sounds are higher numbers, bassy sounds are lower), the gain increase or decrease for that center frequency, and/or the q ratio (how much higher and lower from that center frequency your adjustments will effect).
Also, microphone type can make a big difference. Condenser mics will most often (but not always) offer better clarity for vocals than dynamics as they tend to pick up transients better. Another poster, Karma 101 posted some basic microphone information in this forum, and though he was largely blasted for doing it, his information is solid as far as I can tell.

 

[litwinaj]

well..

im using a br-1600 into a shure mic(not sure on model but about 90 bucks) and thats it.....thats my main problem when i turn up highs i get too much of those harsh sounds....then when its too low the vocals are not clear enough......they kinda sit below the music instead of vice versa. I don't really know how to use compressors or anything like that....but i want some kinda sensitivity and clarity but need to get rid of those sounds from being on the mic.....if you understand what i mean

 

[scrubs]

I am a begginner recorder obviously and I have recently purchased a Br-1600. I have recorded songs over and over and learned mroe stuff over the couple months. However, I am continuing on having a problem getting vocals to be clear. Sometimes you can feel like a quick change in vocals louder than everything else (if that makes any sense). I am a decent singer but when I go through the machine I can't get it to sound quite right. I am looking for advice in recording vocals in any way possible. I would of course like advice specifically for the BR-1600 but anything from anyone will help. I have a post of a demo my band has recorded:

www.myspace.com/meetingformidwinter

AJ

For your style of music, generally heavy compression is used on the vocals to keep them at a consistent volume, whether the singer is whispering or screaming. I'm not sure if that's what you're wanting, but it will probably get you closer. Clarity of the vocal is something that may be hard to acheive with a $90 Shure mic (SM57 or 58, I'm guessing) and the preamps built into your recorder. The properties of the voice, microphone, preamp, room, etc. all come into play there.

 

[litwinaj]

theres my question

how do i get heavy compression.....im not really sure how to work compression......the default settigns is what it stays on

 

[scrubs]

how do i get heavy compression.....im not really sure how to work compression......the default settigns is what it stays on

well, there's no easy answer to that. compression, like any effect, is something you kind of have to use until you understand how it affects your sound.

For starters, set the ratio very high (10:1) with the fastest attack and a fairly fast release. Then play with the threshold to hear what the compressor is doing. Then try different ratios and release settings (the attack should generally stay fast for vocals, although you should feel free to experiment with this parameter, too). Here are some articles on compression:

http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/articles3.htm

 

[litwinaj]

thank you

thank you all for advice its very much appreciated