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 musiciansfriend

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.

 

[jamacian]

The mics you list are typically harsh and hard edged mics. DO NOT buy a new preamp yet. Get a decent mic like an AT4050 or an AKG 414, something with smoother response and detail rather than crispy highs. Start there and maybe move up to a nice ($500+) single channel preamp later if you feel the need. Those preamps may be slight move up in quality, I am not familiar with your board, but not likely by too much. the mic is going to be a bigger issue at this level.

Oh, and erase your extra post

 

[kojdogg]

also, check your gain staging-- those are kind of harsh and hard edged mics as jamacian stated, but with make sure you're not distorting the signal because of excessive gain along the way.

 

[cusebassman]

Yea, you'll definitely want to futz around with gain on the various outboard devices you have. Too much gain from a behringer preamp is going to make those already-sizzly mics considerably more, uhh - sizzly.

So, I'd say, pull back a bit on the Behri pre, and crank the gain a bit on the M-Audio, if you aren't already working it like this.

Im not so concerned that you are clipping, but I've noticed with all the low-end preamps, once you drive the thing past a certain point, it goes from passable sound quality into the realm of exagerated high-end. So, perhaps using a combo of gain boosting on the two devices, you can avoid this.

Other than that, I'd say upgrading your mic is going to fix that problem moreso than upgraading your preamp The above-mentioned mics are good... I've also read around here that for a "darker" mic, you could try the MXL V69, or the CAD M177/CAD M179. Haven't tried either of them myself, but a lot of reviews on this site say they are good, inexpensive, less high-end sizzly mics.

 

[jamacian]

If the m-audio has a line in use it, if not use no gain on the m-audio device and get all your gain on the mixer. Two gain stages equals distortion...audible or not.

 

[chessrock]

... the sound just comes out sharp and rough.

I'm using a Rode nt 1-a condenser mic and an akg c 1000s ...

And your point is ... ?

.

 

[crazydoc]

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.

Maybe your voice is sharp and rough? You're not going to change that much with electronics.

Also, how far from the mic are you singing? Are you tracking it alone, or with other instruments. Where in the room are you set up?

 

[omtayslick]

It's true that both of these mics are on the harsh side. However, I have used the original ART Tube MP, (which can be had for under $50 most places these days) with a Rode NT-1, (not NT1-a) and it was a decent combo. It's worth a shot. Try one out from somewhere with a good return policy.

 

[Robert D]

It's true that both of these mics are on the harsh side. However, I have used the original ART Tube MP, (which can be had for under $50 most places these days) with a Rode NT-1, (not NT1-a) and it was a decent combo. It's worth a shot. Try one out from somewhere with a good return policy.

Yes, the very thing that makes the Toob MP (as they are affectionately known) not so good to put behind a good quality mic, is the thing that can make it work well in a situation like this. I have one that I hardly ever use, but I keep around for rounding off the sharp edges of harsh sources, which it does well.
It could actually be worse to put some high quality preamps into this signal chain, especially a fast preamp in the lines of a Grace. Ultimately, a better mic is the answer. If your budget is tight, maybe something like a V67 or a V69 might work for you.

 

[chessrock]

That's a great point you make, Robert D.


If you're gonna' use a piece of shit mic, you may as well use a piece of shit mic pre along with it.

... that way, there's a chance the two might cancel one another out.

.

 

[bloomboy]

Someone's gonna shoot me after I say this...


...but I think the shure 57 is one of the most underrated mics out there for vocals. It's definitely nothing like any LD condensor sound, if you're adamant about that, but it sure as hell is gonna sound better than any of the others you listed.

About the preamps you mentioned, when you do get around to getting one- I don't have as much experience as many people here, but I have used all of those. I would NOT get an ART tube pre. They sound muddy and generally horrible. You're not going to get a good tube preamp in this price range. I'd get the VTB1 (it's what I have now, along with an FMR RNP which is so much better but in a different price range) and just pretend the tube blend isn't there. It's just one 12AX7, and it really sounds horrible. Also accept that some of the buttons are going to fall off, but at least they didn't cut (as many) corners on its insides- it's actually a decent pre. Use it in conjunction with a shure 57 and depending on your vocal style it may not sound great, but I guarantee it'll sound better than what you've got now.

P.S. I bought a little xenyx board to use as a submixer for live stuff a while ago... I love the bit in the description where it talks about how the xenyx preamps "rival and even outperform botique standalone microphone preamps." And you get four of them for under a hundred dollars. Riiiiight.