Serious vocal troubles

[chuckread]

hey, I'm currently trying to record vocals but everytime i do and no matter how much i mess with levels and eqs the sound just comes out sharp and rough.

I'm using a Rode nt 1-a condenser mic and an akg c 1000s condenser mic going into a behringer xenyx 1204 fx mixer going into a basic m-audio fast track usb interface inot a macbook using garage band.

I've done a little research and Pre-amps seem like the solution but I wanted to be sure and hae a definite answer.

The preamps I've looked at are the Studio projects vtb 1 tube blend mic preamp, the ART Tube MP project series US audio interface, and the ART tube mp project series Tube microphone/instrument preamp

I researched on musicianfriend.com

They are in descending order of price. I just want to mak the sound of my voice: a) warm, b) loud(er than the instruments) and c) Clear.

If anyone has any wisdom to pass on or any information it would be awesome.

 

[Guitarer]

Invest in a Compressor/Limiter. It will help you loads.

 

[zed32]

that C1000S isn't gonna do you any favors on vocals, thats for sure. i'd try looking at different microphones before looking at preamps, although your preamps on that Behri are probably not very great. i think at this point, the money would be better spent upgrading your mic to something a little darker/warmer. as to what mic specifically, i couldn't tell you since i don't have a lot of experience with vocal mics. but i have tried the C1000S and i hated it.