Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Recordings

[ConnorRegan]

Hey,

I'm trying to record an album and am pretty lost... I cant seem to be able to record anything that sounds anywhere near even slightly polished. I'm not trying to do anything complicated... I just want to do a simple acoustic/vocals album, in the same vein as early Dylan's Freewheelin or The Tallest Man on Earth.

I currently have the NT1-A as my sole microphone and am using a Zoom R8 as my interface... I don't have any software as of yet, except for Audacity.

Are there any suggestions you could provide about what I could be doing to make my recordings sound a little better?? more crisp, clear, vibrant etc...

I'm willing to take suggestions on new things to buy as well if you think I might need a new piece of recording equipment, but I'm not willing to break the bank.. and dont think that I really should have to too much in order to record an album of this kind.

All input much appreciated.

Cheers,

 

[mjbphotos]

Start by getting a full-featured DAW, such as Reaper. Without hearing your recordings, I'm just guessing, but you probably need to work on the sound of your recordings by trying out mic placement and room treatment at least.
Then learn the features of your DAW: how EQ, compression, reverb can help you.

 

[grimtraveller]

mjb speaks truth. Heed it.

 

[Chili]

Welcome to the site.

You should consider posting a sample in the MP3 clinic, you might get some good advice.

As MJB said, mic placement and the room you record in are big factors in getting a good sound. Learn to EQ, notch out the freq's you don't want and gently bump the ones you do.

There's a tutorial in the guitar section on how to get a good acoustic recording by White Strat. It's stickied at the top.

 

[jaynm26]

I'm not trying to do anything complicated... I just want to do a simple acoustic/vocals album, in the same vein as early Dylan's Freewheelin or The Tallest Man on Earth.

I think the hardest mix I ever did was an acoustic guitar and a vocal trying to create a lil bottom end and find a way for the guitar to surround the sonic air without choking the vocalist. I hate to break it to ya but creating an album is not simple even if the instruments and vocals are. Most engineers with years of exp have to tackle new task everyday. Yours wont be any different. Now you can make a cheap and "simple" sounding album but I know you dont want that.

I currently have the NT1-A as my sole microphone and am using a Zoom R8 as my interface... I don't have any software as of yet, except for Audacity.

As mj said, if you wanna sound good get a tool to that can fix stuff good. EDITING, EDITING, EDITING is the key to sounding good. MHO Pro Tools or Logic, Logic is $300 comes with everything you need. Good Mic+cheap interface+bad software=crappy album
MHO, ditch the interface get a better one along with REAL! DAW software

 

[RAMI]

As mj said, if you wanna sound good get a tool to that can fix stuff good. EDITING, EDITING, EDITING is the key to sounding good.

I think you totally mis-understood what MJB said.

The key to sounding good is....sounding good. It all starts at the source, and that's 90% of what will decide if you get a good recording. A good room, good mic placment and a good performance. That's what MJB is talking about. And with those 3 nailed, you might not need much, if any, editing.

EDITING? That's the "key" to you? I couldn't disagree more.

 

[jaynm26]

IAre there any suggestions you could provide about what I could be doing to make my recordings sound a little better?? more crisp, clear, vibrant etc...

I'm willing to take suggestions on new things to buy as well if you think I might need a new piece of recording equipment, but I'm not willing to break the bank.. and dont think that I really should have to too much in order to record an album of this kind.
All input much appreciated.
Cheers,

With this statement...this statement

I'm not trying to do anything complicated

is a bit of an oxymoron...But Im gonna give it my best shot!

Zoom8-OUT | Apogee One($200)/Duet($500)-IN (Also Focusrite Saffire PRO-Firewire $200)

Audacity-OUT | Logic 9($300)-IN

Pre Amp, PreSonus Tube Mic Pre $80 or Focusrite ISO-One $400 or Universal Audio TwinFinity $800

Additional needs...
Booby Owinksi Recording Handbook and Mixing Handbook
Waves Gold or Silver bundle $700

 

[Track Rat]

Editing is the key to great sound???? Capturing great sound at the SOURCE is the key, not editing.
As soon as you get ten posts under your belt, post a sample of what you don't like and we'll better be able to point you in the right direction. I'd bet your problem can be solved with technique rather than buying software or gear (although that can be fun).

 

[Steenamaroo]

As mj said, if you wanna sound good get a tool to that can fix stuff good. EDITING, EDITING, EDITING is the key to sounding good.

Not to jump on the wagon, but IMO this is terrible advice.

Editing may well be the key to convincing people that you are good, but the recording is still paramount, even if deception is your game.

I'm sure plenty of people will agree that the best take is the one you don't have to edit: Aim for that take, always.

To me, the best recordings of that style sound like there was a very very nice mic in a very very nice room with a very very good performer!.
Dylan, early cohen, all of that. The production quality may suck by modern standards (it may not), but the principles are all the same.

Editing can help you sound like Bieber; Practice can help you sound like Dylan.


EDIT:
I was just thinking, I don't know how advance you are, but a lot of the 'polished' sound can come from mastering.
If you are able to record good clean takes and have a nice plain good quality mix on the go, a mastering engineer can really bring that to life sometimes.
Maybe you should post up the best mix you can do, and just see what people think of it?

 

[mjbphotos]

Editing can help you sound like Bieber; Practice can help you sound like Dylan.

Well, hopefully Dylan of the early 60s, not the 2000s!

Again, I'd suggest Reaper as your DAW - it's $60 and has all the features you are going to need. Editing can complete a track, but capturing the sound well to start is paramount.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Well, hopefully Dylan of the early 60s, not the 2000s!

Oh yeah, I wasn't thinking.

VERY good call. Heard his Christmas album??? :face palm:

 

[jaynm26]

I think you totally mis-understood what MJB said.The key to sounding good is....sounding good. It all starts at the source, and that's 90% of what will decide if you get a good recording. A good room, good mic placment and a good performance. That's what MJB is talking about. And with those 3 nailed, you might not need much, if any, editing.

I think you misunderstood what mj said

mj said, "Start by getting a full-featured DAW"...Um i dont think I missed anything at all. He never said anything bout mic placement or performance I think I was dead on.

Track Rat, Steen, RAMI I was speaking in terms of DAW selection NOT SOUND. DAW selection and the features of editing once inside. JUst as mj stated about features of his DAW, EQ, Comp, Reverb. THE DAW MATTERS!!!....geeezzzeee!!! Why do you thing mj said the 1st thing you do is get a full featured DAW. Which I agree. Whats the point of getting Neve Pre Amp with a Telfunken Mic, and High End interface with AUDACITY" REALLY"!! First get a DAW

In my second post I gave sound source info.

 

[jaynm26]

Daw & Sound source go hand in hand Connor as you can see

1.) DAW

2.) Sound Source

and you will start to sound better, not because of the DAW but because of the sound source the DAW just helps fix it up.

MHO before you go start spending $100 there and a $100 there. No use of going to buy swim trunks and a snorkel if you cant even swim.

Just as a suggestion please just spend $20 first on two books, Bobby Owinski Recording Handbook and his Mixing Handbook $10 & $14 on Amazon. Or if you like I can email you the pdf's just email me jaynm26@yahoo.com. Studio equipment adds up faster than bad lottery tickets

You go get interface then you gotta go get monitors then cables for those monitors, then pre amp then cables for that pre amp, then plugins,etc ,etc ,etc. Then to find yourself having the terrible thought in your head, "now how does alllll this crap work!" You might find it cheaper less of a headache, time and money jus to go your local recording studio and just make music. That is if you find the books to complex and to over whelming.

 

[mjbphotos]

Oh yeah, I wasn't thinking.

VERY good call. Heard his Christmas album??? :face palm:

Luckily, no! But I did go see him in concert last year. Almost every song my wife would say 'what song is this?' - as they could only be deciphered from the instruments.

 

[RAMI]

work on the sound of your recordings by trying out mic placement and room treatment at least.

I think you misunderstood what mj said

He never said anything bout mic placement or performance I think I was dead on.

You have trouble reading? You're not dead on and rarely are.

Do you still stand by your statement that editing is the key to a good recording and that MJB never said anything about mic placement? I think you should post less and read more. I've noticed you often have trouble following along....and even more trouble making sense.

 

[jaynm26]

Start by getting a full-featured DAW, such as Reaper. Without hearing your recordings, I'm just guessing, but you probably need to work on the sound of your recordings by trying out mic placement and room treatment at least.
Then learn the features of your DAW: how EQ, compression, reverb can help you.

Once inside the DAW! What sells a DAW RAMI please tell me? Oh let me guess you use Audacity as well over Pro Tools. Reading how you butchered my statements of minute detail in your search of error might explain your practice.

Lol I have trouble following along??? lol You who stated that DAW chose wasnt even in the argument when it was the first thing MJ stated. We pick DAWS for the ability to Edit in every way possible, I/O, sound design, plugins, speed of DSP, quality of the software itself all to EDIT the sound once it is INSIDE THE DAW! Jesus are you that narrow minded to the statement I made ?

So as in context of a DAW and sound once INSIDE the software/digital domain YES I stand by my statement. Pro Tools is preferred because of the various tools and features that help edit (or how ever you wanna spin it) audio. Or as mj stated a FULLY FEATURED DAW! Holy Crap!

He never said anything as for as mic placement or performance as in reference to the DAW, he was referencing better technique for sound quality I was speaking of DAW's JESUS!! Do you know the difference between Digital and Sound?

People that get on here to debate "word for word" someones statement just to be right GET OVER YOUR SELF!!

"I am not dead on and rarely am I" because you have your own frame of mind on what I SAY. Dose that not seem weird to you??? Save yourself the breath and expert opinions and let me wallow in my idiocy JESUS! In other words GET OFF MY NUTTS!!!

 

[jaynm26]

Mjbphoto my friend you must have the golden keyboard. When you say it I 2nd that and agree but get crucified in the process. Holy crap!

 

[Steenamaroo]

Oh let me guess you use Audacity as well over Pro Tools.

I'm not even trying to perpetuate an argument; I don't need to, but yes. I would definitely rather use audacity and a bunch of neumanns and neves in a nice room, than ProTools with 'standard gear'.

Take it to another level. I'd rather use 16 track tape and NO processing if I can get the performance right in the room.
Then again, there's personal preference involved.
I love these cohen/dylan recordings that sound 'bad', but we treasure them because the capture something irreplaceable.

Far too much emphasis is put on software, processing, daws etc, considering most of it didn't exist when the records we idolise were made.

Like i say, if it's a toss between all the tools to fix a bad job, or just getting a good job done, I'd take the later any day.


If your point is that when choosing software, a user should look for one with a wide range of useful tools, then sure, you're right,
but if your point is that good recordings come from editing, editing, editing.....I disagree.

 

[Dogbreath]

So, uh Connor.....
where ye be, lad?

 

[RAMI]

Once inside the DAW! What sells a DAW RAMI please tell me? Oh let me guess you use Audacity as well over Pro Tools. Reading how you butchered my statements of minute detail in your search of error might explain your practice.

Lol I have trouble following along??? lol You who stated that DAW chose wasnt even in the argument when it was the first thing MJ stated. We pick DAWS for the ability to Edit in every way possible, I/O, sound design, plugins, speed of DSP, quality of the software itself all to EDIT the sound once it is INSIDE THE DAW! Jesus are you that narrow minded to the statement I made ?

So as in context of a DAW and sound once INSIDE the software/digital domain YES I stand by my statement. Pro Tools is preferred because of the various tools and features that help edit (or how ever you wanna spin it) audio. Or as mj stated a FULLY FEATURED DAW! Holy Crap!

He never said anything as for as mic placement or performance as in reference to the DAW, he was referencing better technique for sound quality I was speaking of DAW's JESUS!! Do you know the difference between Digital and Sound? Swear I was talkin to a 1st grader! No excuse me a child with down syndrome

People that get on here to debate "word for word" someones statement just to be right GET OVER YOUR SELF!!

"I am not dead on and rarely am I" because you have your own frame of mind on what I SAY. Dose that not seem weird to you??? Save yourself the breath and expert opinions and let me wallow in my idiocy JESUS! In other words GET OFF MY NUTTS!!!

LOL.

I'm not picking on you deliberately. You just don't ever make sense, not my fault.

When someone directly quotes you and completely refutes what you said, it has nothing to do with nit-picking or twisting words around. You have no idea what you're talking about and prove it almost every time you post. But that's ok. Every site needs a George Constanza.