Recording vocals...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Roel
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Roel

Roel

That SMART guy.
I play in a cabaret-kinda duo, just piano/keyboards/guitar and vocals. When we record something the vocals sound kindof thin. I'm using a AKG C3000s directly plugged in a VS1880. What can I do to make them sound full? It's just vocals + one instrument... Is it just a thought, or is it harder to make less sound more?

Any solutions are welcome (eq, effects, new gear, pres?, ... ). The less it costs, the better, however. I bought the VS and the AKG last month, so I don't have much more to spend. But I can save some if I have to. Actually, I first bought a cheap shure 58 imitation. Vocals sounded thin, so I bought the AKG. And now they still do...

Thanks,
Roel
 
Yo Roel-ing-Stone:!!!

If your vocals are "thin" with the gear you mentioned, something is wrong with your process of recording.

You can run your vocal through a mic preamp which will boost the signal.

You can be recording your "music' with too much input; thus, you drown out your vocal.

You could be using too much reverb in the vocal which will give you "mushy" sound in the mix.

Do you look at the level line of the vocal when you record it? Are you near or pushing the red line?

I don't use a Roland box but it is supposed to be pretty good and if your vocals are coming out thin, it is the fault of your input set-up.

A good mic pre might be the answer; however, with the Roland and 24 bit recording, methinks you are goofing up somewhere along the recording chain.

Green Hornet
 
A cheap no frill solution will be to close in on the mic "proximity effect".

Or try to move the mic 4-6 inches below the mouth but aim the mic up at the mouth.
Only problem with this no frill is that you might get unwanted noise.
 
Most music I record with it, is a single piano or guitar directly plugged in the recorder. This sounds good. But the vocals sound thin. However, on the AKG3000c is a low cut switch. I'll try using that. Never experimented with it. I'll also experiment with mic positioning. What is the proximity effect?

The recording level is just below clipping. Isn't this the way it should??

I don't use alot of reverb. But even dry it sounds thin. And it isn't alot of a mix either, with just 2 tracks. That's why I would like the vocals to sound really good and warm.

Have been thinking about a mic preamp... Tube gear softens and thickens the sound. Think it would be nice for sax too. But it needs a compressor for that.

Another issue is the room I use too record. I think it's kinda close to acoustic hell. But I cannot re-architect my parents house. Can't afford my own house. Could this be the problem, and is there an easy fix?

Thanks!
 
Using the low cut will make it thinner.
Proximity effect is when you record a vocal closer to a mic and due to the low freq's getting louder in relation to the high freq's you get a boomy or thicker sound. This usually is not a desireable thing but could be what you need.

Are you sure you are singing at the capsule of the mic?

Are you at a distance of 6-12 inches from the mic?

It could be that you are having phase problems with the reflections bouncing off the wall. Try to stand away from the side walls (the shorter distance ones).

Why not try Equing before you go out and spend money ?. Try a boost at 200Hz
using a Q of "1". A small boost of about 2dB.
 
This may sound silly . . .

BUT . . . I was having this problem too at one point. Until one night I decided that I wanted a change of scenery and a little bit of fun. I had a friend sit in the room with the recorder to push all the buttons while I threw a mic cable out the window and recorded the vocals OUTSIDE!!! May sound insane, but the vocals were very crisp and clean and sounded great without even touching the EQ. Since then I've seen in a few places that the great outdoors is actually a pretty good place to record because there isn't much there to cause unwanted reverb and "room" noise. Mind you, if you've got a busy street near your house or a lot of crickets on the loose, it makes things a bit harder to accomplish, but it worked for me. :D Give it a shot, it can't hurt. And it's fun too.

--Tax
 
Well, it is kinda snowing here, you know. :rolleyes:
But I could try recording some vocals elsewhere and find out if this is better. My setup is highly portable. Just unplug the VS1880, take along the mic, and my headphones... Good idea.

And I'll probably get a mic pre anyway. Not as portable, but these things look too nice not to get one. So I'll wait just one more month before I start saving for my future house and children. :)

This weekend I'll try to get some more recordings done, with some of the suggestions. (NOT outdoor recording, however. :rolleyes: )
 
So much sarcasm??

I take it you don't like my outdoors idea. I'm telling you, give it a try when the snow stops. You'll truly be surprised.

--Tax
 
Shailat said:
...Proximity effect is when you record a vocal closer to a mic and due to the low freq's getting louder in relation to the high freq's you get a boomy or thicker sound...
Click to expand...

Yes, but only (or most noticeably) with a directional (i.e. non-omni) mic

- Wil
 
Just a little sarcasm...

TaxMan88 said:
I take it you don't like my outdoors idea. --Tax
Click to expand...

Actually, I think the idea is pretty ok. Even just recording the bird sounds could be a nice background for one of our 'songs'... :D But I'm not gonna try it the first 2 months. It's freezing like hell out there.

Most of what we record however are improvisations, or first try versions of our finished songs. All of the equipement is just used to capture our ideas untill I get some more experience, and then we'll start recording a demo.
 
Yo Roel of Snowsville USA:

Some nice person on this site explained to me about the three little switches on the AKG 3000. I use that mic in my studio. [I'm waiting to receive a new Yorkville mic which is cheaper but if it works like the Yorkville monitors I just got, I'll be very happy.]

If you push all the switches to the left,, as you look at the BACK OF THE MIC,it will negate them. [they're OFF]

Pushing a switch to the right will activate that particular choice.

Try recording something with all of the switches to the left. That is how I'm recording most of the vocals now and the result is pretty good; of course, I'm using a mic pre too.

Good luck,

Green Hornet
 
Yo Hornet, which mic did you get? I have a 420 and I'm thinking about picking up three more for drum mics.
 
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