Rode NT-1 vocals way too harsh - EQ tips?

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jdk303

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Hi.

I've been using the Rode NT-1 for recording vocals on an album I'm working on, but come to realize that the NT-1 makes all the vocals sound way too bright and harsh. I can't get the vocal track to fit into the rest of the mix. :mad: The vocals always end up sticking out and sounding way too present and harsh.

Any tips for EQing? I feel like I've tried everything, but no luck so far. I can't go back to recording with a new mic, the album's nearly finished so I have to fix what I have recorded so far. Sigh...

Help would be appreciated. If anyone has the time to help, I could send clips, both of the song and vocals. Thanks!

Jon
 
Well...

jdk303 said:
I've been using the Rode NT-1 for recording vocals on an album I'm working on, but come to realize that the NT-1 makes all the vocals sound way too bright and harsh. I can't get the vocal track to fit into the rest of the mix. :mad: The vocals always end up sticking out and sounding way too present and harsh.
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with the NT-1, but if it is like the other Røde's, then it probably have two "bumps"; one around 4-6kHz and one around 10-12kHz (if I remember correctly).

You could try to take out a couple of dB around 5kHz with a fairly wide Q as a starting point.

But in general, you should set your EQ to boost quite a lot (+10dB or more) with a not too wide Q, then sweep around until you find the frequencies you don't like, hearing them grossly exagerated. Then you know the frequencies, and you can then change the EQ to cut some dB instead. So first make it sound as bad as possible, then change the EQ from boost to cut, and make it sound as nice as possible ;-)

Please note that some of the harshness is not just a frequency issue, but can be all sorts of distortion and intermodulation -- which cannot just be removed by simple EQ'ing.


-- Per.
 
Yeah good luck with that mic:/

Since you're mixing it yourself, go rent yourself some nice outboard and give it a go. I hate eqing Rode mics. Yech.

Sorry that's probably not too helpful ...
 
baekgaard,

Thanks for the info! I'm beginning to suspect, like you mentioned, that this cannot be fixed by EQing.

The only semi acceptable result I've been able to work out so far was applying high shelving from 15khz. But you can imagine how muddy and dull that sounded! :(

I'm about to give up on this and just get an MXL 990 or V67 (low-budget, being the key here ;) ) and re-record everything. This blows....

Anyway, thanks again.

Jon
 
I recorded twice with Rode mics, once with a pair of NT1's, the other with a pair of NT5's.

Both times, same storey. Use RenEQ, close my eyes and try to get it sounding better. Bypass, listen again. Repeat 20-30 times. In the end, throw up hands in frustration and bounce it flat. :)
 
I don't think the 990 would do anything for you. i don't think it's too useful for a lead vocal that will sit in band mix. I hear good things about the v67g but I have'nt tried it yet. anyone have any problems with this mic in a mix?
 
There's only one small problem ... a weakness, if you will, with the NT-1 mics. And that is that most all of them suffer, in some way/shape/form or the other, from harsh/shitty mic syndrome.

I've heard that a team of researchers have been busy working on that problem, but so far, it seems that all Rode has to show for it are their current lineup of NT and K2 mics ... which, unfortunately, seem to exhibit a lot of the same symptems.
 
You might want to ask Scrubs

He seems to do fairly well with an NT-1, believe it or not. Or, maybe I just have low standards. He at least has plenty of experience with it and might be able to help you out.

Valuable lesson learned here: make sure you like the results before you record an entire cd with it.

Good luck.
 
giraffe,

I was pretty close most of the time, but for louder singing (not to mention screaming, which the NT-1 REALLY doesn't like) I had to move pretty damn far away. This is another thing I really hate about the NT-1. And the way it distorts just makes me suicidal.

TravisinFlorida,

Well, I tried the 990 once and got great results. Not many people seem to recommend it, though. Maybe it sucks and I don't know what the hell I'm doing? :D

After reading some of the posts here, I've come to the conclusion that I should probably buy the CAD M179, MXL V-67 or Oktava MK319, all of which seem to suit my needs.

Which one would you guys recommend for both soft/melodic singing as well as hard/loud singing and screaming? Male voice only. ;)

Thanks!

Jon
 
Cardioidpotent,

The thing is, when I started out with my project, I really liked the NT-1 and the way it sounded. But now, for some reason, it just doesn't seem to fit.

But yeah, I've definitely learned my lesson, and I keep thinking that maybe, just maybe, spending $2,000 on a high end mic is justifiable.
 
Cardioidpotent said:
He seems to do fairly well with an NT-1, believe it or not. Or, maybe I just have low standards. He at least has plenty of experience with it and might be able to help you out.

Valuable lesson learned here: make sure you like the results before you record an entire cd with it.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

JDK303,

I have read many posts of people who don't like the NT1, despite the fact that it was a much raved-about mic several years ago. Lots of people still own them and use them, though. There is no doubt that it is a bright mic and good for pop vocals that you want to "shine" a little. Just like the high-end mics it was designed to emulate, it is not perfect for every voice (keep in mind that some Neumanns also have similar frequency bumps). It has worked out pretty well for me so far. I think there are a few potential issues.

1) As with most of the inexpensive mics, quality control can be a problem. Sometimes you get a good one, sometimes not. I think I was lucky.

2) Higher voices & unusual voices don't do well with Rode - unless the voice is silky smooth, the NT1 will just accentuate any harshness that is already there. I've heard that the tube Rodes are better (NTK, particularly), but haven't verified this personally.

3) Your preamps and/or room may be an issue - The NT1 is very sensitive and quite hot. It will accentuate any room problems you may have. For a cheap fix, try hanging heavy blankets on walls and mic stands around where you are recording. This will kill some of the high frequency flutter. My preamps are the GT Brick and SP VTB-1. They seem to do fine for my needs.

Essentially, if you don't like the way it sounds, maybe it's time to try a new mic. Others can probably recommend some darker/more neutral mics for you. Good luck.
 
scrubs,

Thank you very much for the info! I guess my voice is just one of those voices that doesn't work with the NT-1, though. It seems to work better for my friend, whose voice is much lower and darker.

Anyway, thanks everyone for your time and help! I'm going to see if I should re-record the whole damn thing with a darker mic. :rolleyes:

Jon
 
jdk303 said:
Which one would you guys recommend for both soft/melodic singing as well as hard/loud singing and screaming? Male voice only. ;)
Click to expand...

If someone hasn't suggested it already, you really should try out the mics on your voice before you buy. That will do you more good than any random advice we can give. That being said, one to add to your list would be the Shure SM7b. Very neutral and good for screaming.
 
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