Vocal Clarity

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skaltpunk

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I am recording vocals with a sm58 an ART preamp and a fostex digital multitracker... I know about vocal tone and singing correctly, but am unable to get the sound I want. Are there any peripherals i need to add?
 
I haven't heard the ART preamp but that might be a place to start off. You might want to try a "cleaner" preamp. I've been hearing good things about the Audio Buddy ($80) if that helps.

Also, although proximity effect sounds good solo, boomy voices muddy mixes. You may want to back off of the mic a little more if you're eating the mic.

Without hearing the clip, I don't know what to tell you. Hope that these suggestions helped somewhat.
 
$

The answer is "$"


Sm58=$100.00 -VS- An Excellent Vocal Condensor Microphone=Over $500.00

ART Pre-amp =$100 -VS- A high Quality Tube Preamp = ? $300.00 or more.

You can get good sounds with what you have, but you get what you pay for in Mics and Pre-amps.

Dom


:)
 
Bad call, Dom! He doesn't need to spend that kind of money!

There's nothing wrong with the ART for general recording; you're not a pro, and the results you'll get with the ART pre will be perfectly fine. What you do need is a good large diaphragm condenser mic! I highly recommend the R0DE NT1 as an entry-level mic, but there are actually quite a few good studio mics out there for around the same price ($200, roughly).

The use of a better mic will likely be what you're lookin for. You will likely tear all of your hair completely out trying to get a good studio vocal sound with a 58. They're the industry standard for stage, but not designed as a studio mic.

The mic will make the greatest improvement to the sound, but to make things sound even more polished, spank (compress) the vox.

Good luck!
 
I gotta agree - an SM58 is a good mic and a standard for stage. In fact, some people still like to use a 58 for recording rock vocals.

But a condenser mic will make a world of difference. I'm not convinced you need to upgrade your mic pre - an ART is fine for a home studio.

Look on the microphone site, there are more opinions on good low cost condensor mics than you can read in a day.

Often recommended are th NT1, C1, MXL67 all for around $200.
 
SM58 for vox? Listen and decide...

A short post a little off-subject ... The singer from Deftones uses a 58 in the studio. Check out some of their tracks and decide if that's the sound you want. Likely not.

Be advised, he holds it in his hand (sometimes cupped) in the control room, with the monitors cranked. No headphones.

Ok, sorry. Now back to your regular programming.
 
Like I said, I haven't heard the ART, but I do know that I can get good results from an SM57 that are better in mixes than the C1 (not saying one is better than the other but in certain mixes an SM57 works better).

As far as preamps go, I used to track everything with a Spirit by Soundcraft mixer. After getting an MP20, I have been able to track vocals with everything from a C1, SM57, and even the infamous Radio Shack tom mic (just yesterday... still mixing).

So, in other words, too many factors to consider. If you don't got the money, do the best with what you have. Playing with the position of the mics may help you more than buying new gear.
 
thanks guys! i think i will go with a new mic... the shure is quite limiting. im wondering if my eq-ing had produced the muddy sound that the vocals had. im not quite sure whether my eq on my digital multitracker is a pre-eq or what. does anyone know anything about the fostex fd8?
 
before you put out the $$$, I REALLY would post a short (10-15sec) high quality (at least 192kbps) mp3......maybe someone can see where you could best put your $$$.....
 
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