Trouble Recording Vocals

[Flip1]

I recorded some vocals (female vocalist)(24bit-96 kHz and burned to CD 16bit 44.1 kHz) but the Mid-tones and the Higher tones sound thin, although the recording sounds very clear and crisp, the over all sound on the vocals sound flat when played back on Portable Radio...pretty Good and warmer on my Stereo System and Better in Cubase.

When I sing out loud my Voice seems to have a Deeper sound in the Lows and Mids and I have heard that it is hard to hear your own Vocals accurately because a lot of the deeper sounds you are hearing resonates in your head.

The other thing is that the Human Voice has quite a range of frequencies and some Mics have a limited range of frequencies that it can reproduce accurately...is this true?

I am recording close mic'd with a Studio Projects B1 and when I tested it in the store it sounded the best with my Voice. Also using a Firewire Solo Audio interface with Cubase SX in an almost Dead Room with soft surfaces.

I know my Vocals didn't sound great on my portable Radio, but I hear so many professional recordings sound pretty good on not so great systems.

I want my Vocals to Accurately represent the sound of my Voice with very little tweaking...is that a realistic goal for recording?

Is there something I should be doing to make my Vocal Recordings sound better? Should I be EQuing? Is it the Room? Is it the Mic? Is my Voice higher than I thought? (Do I need Monitors? Currently using Stereo System& Speakers)

Thanks,

Flip1

 

[fateswebb]

I think your answer lies in your speakers (monitors) you are using when you record and mix the song. however I know what you mean about putting it on a crappier setup and having it sound worse, when store bought music doesnt do that.

I think the only true answer are this, practice. and before deciding on a final mix listen to it on all the speakers you can find.

really it lies in practice mixing, eq and compression I think.

FatesWebb

 

[crosstudio]

definitely get some decent monitor speakers.

i've got active alesis M1's and although they are not the best money can buy, i'm going a pretty good job with them.

the trick is that good monitor speakers aren't supposed to lie to you. speakers for your stereo are there to make the music sound good. monitor speakers' purpose is to accurately replay what you have recorded.

 

[Flip1]

Hey, I just wanted to give everyone an update.....I found the problem WooooooHooooo! I replaced my Cheap $10 Mic Cable with a $40 Planet Waves Cable and It has totally resolved the tinny Vocal issue and lack of Bass I was hearing in my Vocal Recordings. Now when I record(with no tweaking)it's sound just like me.

I thought I would post because upgrading to a better quality cable really, really worked for me and I can definitely hear a big sound quality difference and might be able to help someone else with a similar issue. I also had a friend of mine compare my Recordings with this new cable to my previous Recordings and they noted a huge difference. Thanks for all the Help and Advice...now my Next Step is to get some Monitors.

Thanks Again,
Flip1