Vocal recording with karaoke music

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lyanne
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Lyanne

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Hello guys, I'm rather new to recording music, and I'm currently using an AT2020 USB cardiod condenser microphone. I used to connect it to my iPad and record sound+video with the camera set on video recording, but now I've started recording my audio on Reaper (cos it's free) through my computer, and at the same time record my video with a crappy digital camera, then fix the two together on windows movie maker. I do covers of songs with karaoke backing tracks, and occasionally I play the guitar as backing track.

Things I would like to ask,
1. I record with a pair of headphones, but due to the fact reaper can't monitor my own singing on time (after half a second I sing, I hear my voice) other than monitoring the backing track. So it is monitoring the back ground track on time but my singing is delayed. So, occasionally I just monitor the background track, and I can hardly hear myself, or occasionally I just record without headphones. What do you guys recommend?

2. The audio quality still doesn't sound great, my voice sounds really sharp on the playback, and I try to smoothen it with delay FX effects, but sometimes that makesmit sound split. Will getting a pop filter or shock absorber help? Or should I try another program? Any recommendations?

Just to let you guys get a Better picture, here's my YouTube channel(Lyanne Low, hauntedgurl97), I'm not trying to promote or anything, but just hope that I can get feedback on how to improve. Thanks! :).
 
Hi Lyanne
I don't know your level of knowledge of audio recording so this may sound a bit patronizing, but that is not my intention.

1. there is a switch in the channel fader in Reaper, I can't remember which ion exactly, which changes they way it monitors the recording. You have it set to play back what you actually have recorded which means there is a slight delay, which you are hearing. But you can set it to send the actual input signal from the mic to the headphones at the same time it is recording so that yo get exactly what the microphone is picking up with no delay. I'm sorry i can't remember what the button is called, I'm sure somebody here with more knowledge of reaper than me will be able to tell you.

2. Audio quality could be anything. we need more information. What kind of microphone are you using? How is your microphone connected to the PC?
In the effects strip in reaper for you vocal channel, start out with ReaEQ and use a vocal preset for it that sounds pretty good for what you want. Adjust that and hear how it effects the sound. This EQ is for adjusting the levels of different sound frequencies. Back in the channel strip, add a ReaComp effect, this is a compressor which will even out the volume, again use one of the presets then adjust it to hear what it is actually doing. Work with these 2 effects until your vocal sounds pretty good, Back in the channel strip, then you add your reverb, delay effects and or whatever you want.

I hope this helps, There is a youtube channel called The Recoding Revolution which has lots of very good tutorials and little tricks on this kind of thing. He uses different software but the same tricks will work across all Audio software.

C
 
Hi conorC, thank you for your reply, I don't know very much about audio recording, a newbie. As mentioned above, I am currently using an AT2020 USB cardiod condenser microphone, plugged straight to the computer. Thank you for the information, will try it out soon :)
 
Lyanne - your problem is that you are not using an Audio Interface. If you plug your mic into an interface, you can 'direct monitor' your input (the mic) and hear the pre-recorded tracks without any latency (delay) problem. Unfortunately, the mic you are using will not work with an Audio Interface - you need a mic with an XLR connection, not a USB mic.
I suggest you read the sticky threads in the Newbies section of this forum regarding computer recording.

BTW, Reaper is not 'free' - it is free to try out, but they ask you to please pay $60 if you like it and are continuing to use it.
 
mjbphotos said:
Lyanne - your problem is that you are not using an Audio Interface. If you plug your mic into an interface, you can 'direct monitor' your input (the mic) and hear the pre-recorded tracks without any latency (delay) problem. Unfortunately, the mic you are using will not work with an Audio Interface - you need a mic with an XLR connection, not a USB mic.
I suggest you read the sticky threads in the Newbies section of this forum regarding computer recording.

BTW, Reaper is not 'free' - it is free to try out, but they ask you to please pay $60 if you like it and are continuing to use it.
Click to expand...

+1 to all of the above.
 
I am also using reaper and background tracks and recording vocals, I've been using a Mickie mixer and my super 55 mic until now, I've just recently purchased a yeti pro USB mic, you can plug your headphones directly into the mic. Still learning reaper but am using the same options as mentioned above, comp, eq and then the effects. It does take some playing around to get the desired sound.
 
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