Tone contol settings for recording?

[Pete Burak]

Hi,
Kinda new to this!
So when I record vocals, do I just plug the mic into the board and put all the EQ knobs at the 12 0'clock position with no effects on anything and ignore the crappy sound, and then do all the tone EQ and effect stuff during the mix? Or do I EQ the vocal using the EQ knobs on the mixer (Yamaha MD8) at the time of recording? Is there a best known method or a good write-up someone can point me to?

I guess my question is...
What onboard or external EQ settings or effects should I use at the time of recording a vocal part to get the best sound in the final mix.

I have a 1/3 octave EQ, and some rackmount multi effect units with reverb, deley, and/or compression.

Thanks in advance,
Pete

 

[Shailat]

If the sound is crap from the start then you should try to deal starting with your mic.
If that is a weak component of your studio then no amount of effects will help.

I would EQ only during the mix as you have to EQ it along side the rest of the tracks.

 

[Pete Burak]

I definatly need a new mic.
I'm using an Electro Voice BK? I bought a long time ago.
It takes a battery but I'm using phantom power.
I was going to buy an SM58 but a friend told me to get a AKG C2000. Any advise for a low budget living room studio?

 

[El Barto]

Get a good condensor or two, and some SM57s. NT1s are nice large diaphragm condensors, which run at $169 each from zzounds.com (local retailers will most likely price match if you print out the page), SM57s run at $79 each now a days I believe. Remember, condensors need phantom power. Rolls sells a single adapter for about $30 or $40, and a dual for $60 I believe. You can get away with using only these mics, they're what I use and I do some damn good recordings.

 

[John Sayers]

In the meantime add a bit of the high tone control to makeup for the lack of highs and presence in the mic. If it's too bassey turn back the low EQ.

Cheers
John