Singing vocals with headphones

  • Thread starter Thread starter KevinTran
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KevinTran

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Here's my problem guys. I've tried recording vocals half a dozen times for the same song and it just doesn't sound right (ie. as when I'm not recording). I'm wondering if there is another method than the one I'm using.

I listen to the music through headphones to avoid bleeding into the vocal track, but then I can't hear the output of my voice. I find that I don't have neough vocal control and am overemphasizing my voice sporadically.

Is this just a matter of getting use to a recording format vs. a live format, or is there another way?
 
Can't you route the input signal from the microphone back into your headphones?

An alternative could be to just cover one ear with the headphones. Then the other ear will hear how you sound.
 
moskus said:
Can't you route the input signal from the microphone back into your headphones?B]
Click to expand...


Ok, don't laugh if I'm doing this whole cabling thing wrong. Here's the way I've been "trying" to record.

Music only:
Headphones are plugged into mixer.
1. DVD player --> mixer --> sound card LINE IN --> into N-track in stereo

Vocals only:
Unplug headphones from mixer. Plug into LINE OUT on the soundcard to listen to music through playback from n-Track.
2. SM58 --> mixer w/ phantom --> to LINE IN on soundcard --> into n-Track in mono

I thought if I connected the LINE OUT from the soundcard to a mixer channel, the playback from n-Track would be sent right back (in a loop) and bleed into the vocal recording. So I avoided creating the loop.
 
Yes, there is a risk of creating a loop if you plug the main mix output from your mixer into your sound card's line input. You would need to use a bus, direct, or aux output for recording.

What kind of mixer are you using? If I can find the specs online, I'll give you my free (but I hope not worthless!) advice about how to make the connections.

DonF
 
Page 9 of the manual has a "Home Studio" example application that should work for you. To avoid creating a feedback loop, pay special attention to Note (2): "Keep the channel fader for the computer playback at minimum at all times to avoid feedback." What you're doing is using the main L/R bus as your send to the sound card, and the Aux2/Mon bus to monitor both your input and the signal coming back from the computer.

If you need more help, give me a holler. I've got to go do some real work now, but I'll check back here later today.

DonF
 
If you want to avoid a feedback loop and getting your prerecorded tracks bleeding into your vocal track, use the direct out (or insert plugged in to the first "click") to feed the sound cards input in mono.

This way you will be able to mix whatever you want on the mixer for your headphone or control room mix, but record only the single mic channel.

Of course you will have to repatch every time you want to change something, but there are other options besides this one.
 
BTW, you specified your mixer has Phantom Power on when you record. If your using an SM58, you don't need it on.
 
Neil Ogilvie said:
BTW, you specified your mixer has Phantom Power on when you record. If your using an SM58, you don't need it on.
Click to expand...

Thanks Neil. I have it on as all the time. It doesn't hurt any cuz mic's that don't need it don't get it.


I tried the headphone in one ear thing last night. Works much better for singing. Just feels a bit awkward. Songs are coming out smoother. The sound still isn't satisfactory to me. Hopefully my new C3 will help out when it comes in.
 
Along with the "one on/one off" headphone idea, this can help you;

1) use your SM58
2) set your monitors up about 10 feet away directly behind the
mic stand to avoid feedback and to minimize bleed.
(experiment with this distance)
3) sing to the monitors WITHOUT headphones

See how you like that first.
There is a slicker way to sing to monitors involving flipping the polarity on them I can tell you later if you're getting too much bleed on the recording.

Do this for a while, until the singing becomes "routined" with
the backing tracks. THEN use the C3 with the one on/one off
headphone method.

Listen to each version that was using the SM58, and the C3, then you can select the better performance.
Sometimes you may pick the one done with the SM58!

Chris
 
KevinTran said:
Thanks Neil. I have it on as all the time. It doesn't hurt any cuz mic's that don't need it don't get it.


I tried the headphone in one ear thing last night. Works much better for singing. Just feels a bit awkward.
Click to expand...
I always put one headphone on one ear completely, then cover HALF my ear on the other side. That way, I still get stereo sound but I can hear myself.

Pointlessly,
Stine
 
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