The vocals are too low in my band sound recording. Any advice? VIDEO LINK INCLUDED

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Sparcc001

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Hi guys,

I've recently shot a video for my mate's band, using a ZOOM H4n recorder for the sound.

Can you please look at the video in the link below and tell me what you think? I feel like the vocals are too low. Will a simple microphone do the trick? If you can identify the problem and give me any advice that would be great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQrpwIqkWC4

The equipment was literally a bass with an amp, and acoustic guitar and my Zoom recorder (placed just to the right).

Kindest,
Chris
 
Also you will have to listen through headphones/speakers to pick up the bass. Any ideas why?
 
The reason your vocals sound too low is that everything you're recording is going into one mic at one time. The only thing you can do is sing louder or record the vocals separately, but with the Zoom H4N, I'm inclined to think only the former is a possibility.
 
If you really want to do it with one mic, you might bring the mic closer to your vocalist. BTW you always have the option of splitting the bass signal and bringing a direct signal into your recorder.
 
I know this is the noob section but... For well over half a century singers have used a microphone a few inches to a foot or so from their face.
The Zooms are wonders of modern electronics but even they can't overcome the laws of acoustics.

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
I know this is the noob section but... For well over half a century singers have used a microphone a few inches to a foot or so from their face.
The Zooms are wonders of modern electronics but even they can't overcome the laws of acoustics.

Dave.
Click to expand...
And/or.. balancing from the bandstand'
That would be the last.. five hundred years? :D
 
Thanks Dave. I've just spoken to my friends, and they both have good microphones. In the Zoom manual there is also a picture of a mixer with the band. Do you think I should invest in one? Or will it sound okay just guitar, bass, and vocal with mic on their own?
 
Sparcc001 said:
Thanks Dave. I've just spoken to my friends, and they both have good microphones. In the Zoom manual there is also a picture of a mixer with the band. Do you think I should invest in one? Or will it sound okay just guitar, bass, and vocal with mic on their own?
Click to expand...

A mixer can certainly control the levels of each instrument, but the second it gets recorded, you have no influence over the tracks anymore, and it can sort of be a tedious back and forth until you hit the sweet spot. The good thing about the instruments you're using is that they can't totally overpower vocals.
 
Thanks Robus. I'm a little bit lost in relation to splitting the bass signal - I really am a newbie when it comes to sound recording! Does this mean I have to plug the bass into the recorder? There are to sockets on the recorder to plug in instruments.
 
Yes, the inputs on the bottom can accept a 1/4 inch jack. Does the Zoom have an option available for line sources? If you plug in your bass and the Zoom only has the gain for a mic, you're going to run into some problems.
 
Cool thanks for that CrowsofFritz. I was just about to ask about your comment on recording the vocal separately. Would this mean using two recorders and -for the vocals- recording the voice directly into the Zoom using a condenser mic? Then adding it in with the other recording later? I'm pretty sure you can record directly into the Zoom with a condenser.
 
You can spit the bass signal and send one copy to the bass player's amp, the other to an input on your recorder. I'm not familiar with your Zoom unit, but you would need to use the Hi-Z input setting. Alternately, if your bass amp has a direct out, you could send that signal to the line level input on your recorder.

Of course for this to make sense, you would need to record the bass to a separate track. That will give you some independent control over the bass when you mix.

BTW: I listened on speakers and did not find your bass inaudible. You may not have the problem that you think you have. Quality of your vocal recording is the more important issue, and the one to address first.
 
There's a little socket which (next to it) has a picture of headphones and /LINE. Is that the right thing?
 
Yes, a mic with a pickup on the guitar and a separate feed from the Bass through a mixer is the solution. If you use tinker toy products this is how the sound will come out. Studios have the sound they have because they have excellent equipment and the people that know how to set them up in addition to a large and quiet mixer.
 
skywaveTDR said:
Yes, a mic with a pickup on the guitar and a separate feed from the Bass through a mixer is the solution. If you use tinker toy products this is how the sound will come out. Studios have the sound they have because they have excellent equipment and the people that know how to set them up in addition to a large and quiet mixer.
Click to expand...

I have no idea about the capabilities of the Zoom, but can you have one input mic and one input line on the device?
 
I'm hearing the bass--its booming, though. Still, it's audible, and just needs a little adjustment to sound fine. Go lefties! The recording actually sound pretty good, all things considered. If you multi-track it, it's gonna sound a lot better . . . .
 
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