Vocal input to low

[ClevTrev]

I'm new to pc recording and I'm having trouble with recording vocals.
All instruments - guitar, bass, drum machine - have been recorded and sound good, but I can't get any quality in the vocals track. The recording input level seems far too low and I can't seem to change it. Then when I 'normalize' or simply increase the volume all it does is increase hiss and distortion.

I use Cool Edit Pro and Audiophile 2496 soundcard - CEP does not allow the recording level to be changed and I have tried changing the levels on the Audiophile but to no avail.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

 

[jonhall5446]

Sounds like you haven't got a great recording of the vocals in the first place. If you must carry on from this point then maybe try a little eq.

 

[Farview]

what mic pre are you using?

 

[The Big O]

Are you using a mic pre-amp,??? 'Cause my mic is SERIOUSLY hot !

 

[ClevTrev]

Further info - using Sure Unisphere B mic - have tried 'straight' thru multi-effects on 'bypass' - also through Marshall Valvestate 80W then into soundcard. Maybe I'm doing something seriously wrong?

 

[Farview]

You need a mic preamp. A multi-fx is expecitng a line level signal, you need the preamp to boost the mic level signal to a line level signal.
Unless you want a distorted vocal sound, plugging a mic into a marshall won't help.

 

[ClevTrev]

Thanks for that -
Got my eye on a Squier 4 Sound System (a pa mixer)
Will that do the job?

 

[Farview]

As long as it has more than just speaker outputs. (most of them do)

 

[Songwriter333]

Unless you needed the mixer for PA/mixing purposes anyway, then I'd say it's probably $ overkill. Since you just don't have enough poop behind the mic source signal, you can probably get a cheaper booster (pre-amp) that will work, and may even allow for multiple mic boosts at once. Compare costs for these units to whatever mixer you're looking at: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/s=amps/search?c=4639
Disclaimer- I'm not promoting M.Friend specifically, just giving you pricing ideas.