tricky, tricky, tricky

  • Thread starter Thread starter I-AM
  • Start date Start date
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I-AM

New member
Dear Forum,

I am tyring extremely hard to get good vocal results. I don't have a great setup for micing, but I want to get the best possible sound from the setup I do have.
I am trying to record a rapper with an ok mic(not SM58), & DOD VOTEC processor. Basically I have been having him do the lyrics in the bathroom, which had a crap of reverb and echo in it. Now for hip hop lyrics, there is usually very little echo or reverb that I can here from the artist.
Does anyone have any suggestions for getting a clean, in your face sound from the tools I am using; ok mic, DOD VOTEC processor, Alesis Compressor, EQ, Balanced into mixer, and out into computer. Software= Sound Forge, and Cool Edit pro.
I appreciate any and all replies to this message.
Thanks.

I-AM
 
The closer the singer is to the mic, the more in your face the sound. Close miking is good for crap rooms too - it minimizes ambient sound, or masks it, more likely. Then you can add reverb effect later on to get a sound closer to what you want.
 
Dobro's got a point -- but also... DUMP THE 3630 COMPRESSOR... you're better off riding gain manually if you have to than using *that* glorified doorstop...

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound
 
Funny, bvaleria !
Obviously a man who appreciates good compressors.
I don't have much experience with them, but I know I don't like audible "squashing" of the sound, such as comes from my Dual Levelar. It sounds OK as long as I set it so that only the very extreme peaks are getting stepped on.
I was thinking about a dbx 1066...good idea ?
Or do you have some other recommendations in that price range.
Thanks,
Rick
 
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the DBX compressors - even a 266 will outperform a 3630...

But if you really want something special especially at a modest price - get the RNC (Really Nice Compressor) - it competes with the big boys, but costs around the price of a 3630 (seriously)... check out http://www.mercenary.com...

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound
 
with hip hop/rap most vocalists use a really compressed sound. What kind of mic are you using? You could go to your local music store and rent a mic for pretty cheap. Also are you recording the vocals with effects? If so that's bad news. Get some neato plug-ins for your computer so you can get a really good vocal track on tape the tweek it until it is perfect. Another technique that is widely used in rap/hip hop is doubling the vocals. Eminem uses it a bunch on his new album. Well there's my 2 cents.
 
vocal booth

You can hang blankets or tapestries to create a temporary vocal booth and help you eliminate echoes and room resonances as you close-mike the singer. Most guys compress vocals but you don't want to hear the effect pumping. If the effect (compressor, reverb, chorus etc.)can just be heard when soloing the vocal track it will usually be subtle enough to sit down in the mix.
Tom
 
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