vocal recording...

[britesynth]

hi guys... im new to recording and im just wondering what tips you could give me on how to give "life" to my vocal tracks... im currently using a samson C03 condenser microphone, my room is untreated, i record in front of my closet with clothes hanging so as to lessen the room and ambience and reduce, i notice that my vocal tracks sound dull, muddy and dark, it lacks in life and presence, i want it to be clearer and alive so that it will stand out with the music track... as if the voice track is live and prestine...

what advice could you give me?

probably some EQ'ing tips...
fx chains...
fx to use...

thanks in advance...

 

[Massive Master]

You're using a (IMO) incredibly bad sounding mic, with an incredibly bad built-in preamp and an incredibly bad converter in what's very likely a very bad sounding space.

A "live and pristine" sounding vocal takes (A) a live and pristine sounding vocalist being captured by (B) a "pristine" sounding front end in a (C) well-treated space that doesn't get in the way.

That said - A 58 going through a good preamp is going to give you (by far) better results. If you're really stuck on USB, the only one I've tried that I didn't want to start on fire was Rode's PodCaster. Still didn't like it, but it was a long shot better than the rest (also, not surprisingly, a dynamic).

 

[born]

How dull, muddy and dark?

Seems almost a little too silly to ask, but are you singing into the right side of the mic? Might be a stupid question, but I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time someone's done it.

 

[thundercage]

Many times people that are new to recording don't understand how to get the volumes to mix properly so that you can consistently hear vocals in the mix. This is done by using a compressor. It doesn't have to be recorded with a compressor, but it should be used in mixing the vocal track with your other tracks. Also a common recording trick to get fatter sounding vocals is to record two (or more) vocal tracks. They will be less than 100% exact and that adds what sounds like an effect.

 

[britesynth]

@massive master - ouch haha guess i can't really have the sound i want... =(
the CO3 is not a usb mic btw.
thanks for the post thou


@born haha of course im singing at the right side of the mic,

muddy... like theres too much fatness, kinda like the audio you hear on radio...

thanks! cheers!!!

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I'm with Massive most of the way. Honestly - no offense meant here - your OP reads like a laundry list of bad news, and it starts with a mic that probably just is not going to have the kind of sound you're looking for, and it goes down from there.

The closet idea is a nice idea, but if your recordings sound dead and lifeless, the closet is probably sucking even more life out than it is putting it in. Find a bright and lively space in which to record; the kitchen, maybe, if you have lit of tile surfaces, or sometimes a back stairwell to another floor can add some interesting bounce.

G.