vocal mic

[hadje]

i currently own a studio projects c1 which i like alot on acoustic guitar, flute, etc., but i am having a hard time recording vocals with it. the issue is that i am getting a sound which i would describe as harsh or almost distorted, and it seems to reside in the high end, especially holding a note with an "eee" sound for instance. i have spent some time making sure that i am not overloading the input on my recorder (tascam 788), and have played around with eq and distance/angle singing into the mic.
i have heard this mic described as "bright" and i would say that my voice is bright and somewhat nasal; i have been told that i sound like james taylor. i think that the c1 is just bringing out a tonal quality that is already there in my voice. the question is, can i make this particular mic work for me? i would appreciate any suggestions as i am a relative newbie. in the meantime i'll keep playing around...
i want to be clear that overall my voice sounds good with the c1, it's just the overdriven nasal/high-end harshness that is at issue.
thanks

 

[chessrock]

i want to be clear that overall my voice sounds good with the c1, it's just the overdriven nasal/high-end harshness that is at issue.

Although a good mic, the C1 is one of those mics that has a little of that excited high end going on.

I'd recommend the following:

* De-esser. Play around with it a bit, and see if it helps any.
* Mic positioning.
* Different mic pre, if available.

If none of tose work for ya, then I'd suggest a more neutral mic. Here's some excellent candidates:

* Shure KSM-32 (probably exactly what you're looking for)
* Blue Baby Bottle
* Dynamic mic; Shure SM7, Electrovoice RE-20, etc.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Your whole signal chain is responsible for the end sound, and you may be testing the limits of you're pres. The C3 (I haven't used C-1, so I'm extrapolating, which is dangerous) is sensitive and hot. How far are you from this mic? You may need to just back off and boost your gain a little. I haven't had good luck "swallowing" a C-3, it wants breathing room. Also, do you have any compression in your signal chain? If you don't, the dynamics of vocals will play hell with your levels.-Richie

 

[pundit]

Hi Hadje

How are you connecting the C1 to the Tascam? According to a review I read, the 788 doesn't come with XLR inputs. It also doesn't have phantom power... are you using an outboard micpre, if so , which one? The C1 does have an upper-mid presence boost and while this is not a horrible characteristic as such, a less than compentant preamp could accentaute this to some degree. I know my Mackie tends to highlight the 'edge' factor with the C1. Yet through better pres it sounded very nice.


The following came from a review of the 788...

"...Tascam thoughtfully provides a pair of XLR-to-phone adapters (impedance transformers) to compensate for the lack of XLR mic inputs. Using adapters may not be the ideal solution, but having them in the box might save you a trip to the store. The lack of XLR inputs also means that phantom power is not provided. Given the features-to-price ratio, that's not a significant problem..."

If you are using the impedance transformers I would hazard a guess that this could be part of your problem. These will NOT be cutting edge quality.

Bright sounding mics need clear smooth non-aggressive pre's or you may find youself quckly tiring of the sizzle!
Also are you applying any high-end eq boost to the C1?
It shouldn't need it... AT ALL!!

Cheers

P.S. Richard Monroe said...

"The C3 (I haven't used C-1, so I'm extrapolating, which is dangerous) is sensitive and hot.

Well I can tell you that the C1 is 3 to 4db hotter than the C3!

 

[chessparov]

hadje, as the saying goes "It takes one to know one".
Welcome to the "bright and somewhat nasal" club, of which I'm a fellow
member (and somewhat of a JT "soundalike" voice to boot!)
Seriously though...

On the C1, cutting 2-3 db around 12 KHz does the trick on my voice.
Singing at an angle, rather than straight on will attenuate high frequency
response. While the brightness in your voice may be inherent, the nasal
tone can be minimized or eliminated through proper vocal practice.

Be sure to try out some quality dynamic microphones too.
This sort of voice can record very well on them, and they hide sibilance
issues.
For example, the Beyer M88 or Shure SM57 works quite well for me,
although the C1 is a fine microphone on ballads for greater sonic detail.

Chris

 

[hadje]

hey guys,
thanks for the replies. i use an m-audio dmp3 as my mic pre. i will try some of your suggestions and keep playing around with it...
i agree that i should try to back off of the mic more; my issue with that right now is that i record in a large room with high ceilings and when i back off i get a lot of room reverb. it's nice for some stuff but i find it a little too much for the sound i want on vocals. i guess i should probably try hanging curtains or something to create a little bit of "isolation".
thanks again

christopher

 

[alanhyatt]

my issue with that right now is that i record in a large room with high ceilings and when i back off i get a lot of room reverb. it's nice for some stuff but i find it a little too much for the sound i want on vocals. i guess i should probably try hanging curtains or something to create a little bit of "isolation".
thanks again

christopher

Try a take with the foam windscreen that was supplied in your case. The foam cover knocks off some of the high end as well. It just might do the trick for you, otherwise proximity can be the key.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Hadje, the more I think about it, the more I think you are lacking compression. That 788 has a lot of effects, and I bet compression is one of them. Later, consider an RNC compressor, but right now, use what you have. If you can adjust perameters, try a fairly low attack time. Start with a ratio of 2:1 and then increase it gradually until it stops the clipping, then stop. Usually, you use as little compression as possible in tracking, but for some vocals, you have to. I bet you already have the capability in that Tascam to do it.-Richie