vocals through digital

[schaandra]

Like everyone else, I am wanting to set up a basic digital recording studio at home. I am primarily a vocalist.

I am looking for the best set up for me to record my vocals into the computer and mix them with music and burn onto CD. I currently use a QY70 but am looking at expanding in the future so I want midi capacity too.
What I need is: a good sound card, an interface and software.
The options I am looking at are:
digi001, comes with simple version of protools
seasound solo, does not have software, ideas?
tascam US 428 USB,comes with simple version of Cubase.

My priority is to get nice warm and luscious vocal recording. I have worked in a studio where they had "tubing?" it created a great sound (vibrations I guess). I want to know what unit will give me the best sound and if they have built in compressors.

Has anyone had experience recording vocals with these units. Any ideas or recommendations?
Where can I get more information on recording vocals into a digital format at home?

Thanks
schaandra@hotmail.com

 

[Bones]

Welcome schaandra,

I don't know a lot about vocal recording but in my opinion mic and preamp are where your choices will really tell.

The Digi001 comes with 2 preamped inputs and they sound nice but the "you get what you pay for" maxim as allways applies. Also Digi hasn't and probably won't release ASIO2 drivers for windows, so if you go that way on PC you may well be stuck in the ProTools upgrade (which is great but $$$).

How many inputs/outs do you want/need?
I don't know of any card having a built in comp but it's a nice idea. You can just record and compress in the computer, some people hate the sound of software comps but they work for me (and my budget).

You will need a good Condensor Mic (so do I for that matter, I'm no help there am I).

I've seen snippets in articles related to Vocal recording, but most are aimed at total beginners ie; put the mic here, get good level ect, and not something worth linking, but I'm sure they're out there....


(cue next reply with great link)


Good Luck.

Bones

 

[CyanJaguar]

I am also primarily a vocalist

hi,

an awesome tube preamp to get to give you that warm and luscious vocal sound you want would be a mindprint envoice ($499 @ marsmusic.com)

a good inexpensive mic that will sound really pro, and is also used in pro studios is the Audio Technica at4033 . @350 most anywhere. It really works well for female voices too.

You will eventually have to get some awesome cables to get the best out of your equipment though, and since you are primarily a vocalist , you might want to invest in some acoustic treatment of your recording space, so as not to introduce any udesirable artifacts like flutter echoes and bass buildup(real bad)

For software, you might want to look into Logic audio gold or platinum (depending on how much you can afford)
what I did was get a delta 1010 soundcard(which cannot be beat) with vegas pro for $700 and then I can Buy a competitive upgrade of Logic audio platinum or MOTU digital performer for $300 or so.

peace