signal clipping

[Hobbit6]

Ok, maybe I'm stupid, but I'm having real difficulty getting any sort of powerful vocal recording. I've got a Delta 66/Omni with a ThreeQ preamp and two mics, AT3035 and KSM32. But, basically, I cant seem to get a strong signal recorded because it gets to the 0db threshold very easily and clips. The only way I can keep it clean is to set the threeq and delta/moni gains relatively low, but then the vocals lack the presence and dimension you would hear on professional records, it sounds like I'm singing into a radioshack mic from across the room. I think I've tried all possible configurations of pads, -15db/-10db, phantom powers, etc. Could be that my Delta 66 is simply not equipped to handle the sort of gain that I need? Should I buy another interface? I've got good mics, the pre seems to be a good one, so...I've spent a few good weeks trying to figure this out. I bought the KSM32 actually thinking that it might fix the problem, but in fact, it sounds even worse at times than the AT3035...

I read in the manual that Delta should be able to handle about 110db, but the actual signal starts at around -75db, so that's only 75db noise floor to signal ratio (if that's the correct term to use here)...

I'm lost and very aggravated, please, clue me in

 

[mixsit]

Get the vocal as even as you can by controling your volume and distance to the mic, backing off a bit on loud parts etc, set your record levels with some spare room at the top on the loudest parts. Working on that technique gets you part way. The rest is dialed in with compression, either during or after recording.
Wayne

 

[rweiss]

I'm completely new but have been reading some articles and I'm gonna guess you're compression threshold is messed up and it's evening out the highest signals by lowering *everything* - so do what Hobbit6 said (try to get an even signal throughout the track) or look into multi-band compression so you can compress different frequencies and it won't affect the overall volume by compressing everything because of one small pop or something.

 

[Farview]

Just get the performance to disc without clipping. Once there, you need to strap a compressor on it. Try a 4/1 ratio.
If the dynamics are all over the place, the singing is all over the place. Vocal control is something that takes a while to learn, but pays off in the end.

 

[Hobbit6]

Well, basically, my main problem now is not even so much the volume of the sound as it is the quality: its grainy, a bit distorted, as if its a bit into the red, except that it's not. The compression doesnt help because the original recording is flawed. It also seems that I'm getting much better vocal results from the AT3035 than KSM32 which is kinda strange, considering the price difference. Also, both mics perform noticeably better with all the pads off on the amps and mics set to 0db switch. Dont know, that might be the best raw signal I'll be able to get.

In that case, what would I need to buy in order to have a good recording system? Would having one of them Digi002's help sufficiently? I'm looking for very good quality, and I'm not sure what is the weak link in my recording chain. The preamp? But it's barely lighting up two greens, far far from clip. The mics also seem to be pretty good. Maybe another audio interface...Firepod has been getting good reviews but I dont need 8 mic inputs (I only use one at a time really) and I do want midi.

Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

 

[Farview]

I don't see anything in your chain that would be that bad. There is no reason you should be getting a thin distorted recording. It might be a bad cable. Are you singing into the front of the mic? It is most likely something stupid. The phantom power should be on for both of those mics. Are you using a balanced cable between the preamp and the delta?