Total newb to recording, reverb and other FX

[spencerbug0]

I'm having trouble with special effects. Im very new to recording because i typically do work on Finale and other synthesizers and midi editors. I decided to move on from the midis and STEP TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

This new level is recording!!!


Fortunately i have a good setup. (I think) I use m-audio for most of my things. I have a:
M-audio Mobile Pre USB Box (this includes phantom power)
What I believe to be compressor mic A M-Audio Nova Microphone
I have a Sonar Home Studio 4 and Antares Auto-Tune (Just bought it!)

I simply want to know how to make my sister's voice sound better.

I dont know the slightest thing about recording!

For example, ive heard things about compression and reverb, i have no idea what those are, and My sisters voice is extremely scratchy considering the great expensive microphone i have

I just need some summaries because i dont want to read anything long!

SO KEEP IT SHORT!

THANKS

 

[danny.guitar]

Compression - Used to control dynamics of a track. In the old days, from what I've read, the engineer would just keep his finger on the volume fader and when part of the song got too loud he'd turn it down, when it got too quiet, he turned it up. This is the basic principle of compression I guess, except it's all automated. You set a threshold level, and a few other parameters like attack, release, makeup gain, etc (which you have to be careful with btw). Any decent article on compression (and there are a lot on the internet) will explain these.

Reverb - Used to simulate an acoustic space, like different rooms or places (church, small/large room, etc.). It can also be used to polish a track and make it sound better. Or used on certain instruments in a song to give the mix a more '3D' sound as opposed to just panning left/right or turning the volume up/down to make it sound closer or further away.

The best free reverb plugin I've ever used, and it seems to compare really well to even the most expensive plugins, is called GlaceVerb. You can find it here:

http://www.dasample.com/index.php?show=glaceverb

So, by adding some compression to the vocal track, you can make the volume sound more 'even' or 'smooth', if done correctly. Then polishing it with a little reverb can really make an improvement. Just don't overdo it.

As for the 'scratchy' vocal sound, my guess (without hearing it) is that it's the singer. Good singing technique is the best way to get a good vocal sound.

Edit: Also, I've never used AutoTune but if the vocalist is slightly out of tune then that's probably something you can fix pretty easily. If they are way out of tune, I would personally do another take. I've heard auto tune used on a lot of songs, and on some it's pretty obvious, others, it's very subtle if even audible at all.

 

[spencerbug0]

thanks dude

thAnks dude

 

[danny.guitar]

thAnks dude

No problem.

 

[Nick98338]

I'll second the Glaceverb. It's quite easy to use, and has some very good presets that help things move quickly. I like to use it on mono tracks, both instrument and vocal. And I like to use slightly less on the main vocal. Another thing, not mentioned, to help make better sounding recordings is panning. Move the instruments out toward the sides. Background vocals also to the sides, but not as much as instruments. This gives each part it's own space withing the stereo field. Different parts don't have to fight with each other. Things become more clear.

 

[djchris73]

I dont know the slightest thing about recording!

For example, ive heard things about compression and reverb, i have no idea what those are, and My sisters voice is extremely scratchy considering the great expensive microphone i have

I just need some summaries because i dont want to read anything long!

Your M-Audio Nova Condenser Mic is not a great expensive Mic. It costs $99. A Neumann U87 is a great expensive Mic. It costs $2999. Not trying to be a jackass, just trying to give you some perspective my friend. Now that I'm done thrashing you, I will help you. Use the compressor when you track (short for mult-track recording) to smooth out the dynamics (how loud your signal gets). Use the reverb when mixing to give that recorded vocal the effect of being in a large room. reverb is short for reverberation. Please forgive me for giving you a hard time. It's all in good fun.