Vocal on 424 Mk II

[DigitalDon]

Newbie question. How are you guys getting good vocals on the 424 with minimal equipment. I have a CAD Equitek E100 condensor mic and ART Tube MP preamp. I'm recording background tracks on chans 3 and 4 (panned hard left and right)and vocal on chan 1 centered. All EQ centered. Can't seem to get a vocal that's not either too muffled or too harsh no matter how I adjust EQ during playback. Is it time to get an outboard EQ (sweepable mids)? If so, suggestions on the EQ (prefer rackmount).

 

[SN]

before you start buying new toys try experimenting with mic positioning.

I have recorded some good vocals with the 424mkIII and an ATM41-HE and a good singer.
I was having trouble with breathy pops and sounds so I miced the singer in with the mic above her head pointing downwards towards her mouth. This avoids picking up her breathy pops, yet allows the singer to get close to the microphone to give a good nuanced sound.

The ball of the mic was at approximately nose level. 2 inches infront of the face, pointing towards the mouth.

 

[DigitalDon]

Thanks for the info. I'm also trying different rooms in the house (hall, bathroom, etc) for some natural reflections. One bathroom has a dressing room before entering the shower area with a large mirror over the sink. Maybe it was the mirror but the sound was really hard in this room.