Voice Recording Newbie

  • Thread starter Thread starter DigiDunce
  • Start date Start date
D

DigiDunce

New member
Hi all,

I'm a total and utter newbie to home recording, and I was wondering whether I could get some advice on how to start?

I wish to produce high quality digital voice recordings, which allow music and other effects to be played in the background. I also want to be able to add effects to the voice and be able to play around with the stereo (ie. a sound to be directed to one channel or both).

I have a pretty good PC in terms of spec (1.2 GB, 512mb RAM), but my soundcard is pretty basic at the moment. I'm happy to use alternatives to PC recording (eg Studio-in-a-box) as long as I can get good results.

My budget isn't huge, but I could build up a system slowly.

Can anyone out there point me in the right direction? I accept that I'm going to need a decent microphone, and some means to amplify the voice recording, but really, I don't know where to start!! :(

Cheers! :)
 
2 choices:
Since you already have a PC you can go the software route. Get a condensor mic and a preamp to power it. Perhaps download a free demo version of software to try out to see what one you like. {try before you buy} You may use your current soundcard but if it does not give you the quality you want you can upgrade to an audiophile 24/96 or another entry level card thats not too expensive. Audiophile runs about $150 and cheaper for used on ebay.
Or you can skip the PC and get a standalone digital recorder 4-8 track with a descent mic. Most recorders have a preamp built in.
But most are limited on effects and such.
I think I would go the software route if I had to make the choice.
 
Thanks Stealthtech :)

Sorry to bug, but what kind of software should I buy for this purpose? I've checked out some options and I've heard of products like Cubase...

...but I'm hearing that there are some products that can produce good results like Music Director Pro and Music Studio 7, that are cheaper!

Or should I go for one of these 'studio' options like Reason and Fruityloops?

Basically, I need to record the voice track, and mix background music and effects into a single track for transferring to CD, DVD or Video. But I don't want to insult all you talented musicians out there by buying something wayyyy beyond my requirements! ;)

Thanks for your help!
 
DigiDunce said:
Thanks Stealthtech :)

Sorry to bug, but what kind of software should I buy for this purpose? I've checked out some options and I've heard of products like Cubase...

...but I'm hearing that there are some products that can produce good results like Music Director Pro and Music Studio 7, that are cheaper!

Or should I go for one of these 'studio' options like Reason and Fruityloops?

Basically, I need to record the voice track, and mix background music and effects into a single track for transferring to CD, DVD or Video. But I don't want to insult all you talented musicians out there by buying something wayyyy beyond my requirements! ;)

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

The Music director pro & Music studio 7 will be very basic and limited programs but may serve your needs for limited recording and editing features.
I suggest you do a search on google and look for free demo versions of cakewalk, sonar, cool edit pro, soundforge, cubase, pro-tools and a few others to try out. You average descent programs will run from $300 - $400.
 
I remember finding a link underneath the digital computer recording page, and from there I was able to download the demo to a program called Multiquence.

It has a 3-track limit and no punching capabilities, but it has an unlimited trial time (or at least a week, as that's how long I've been using it), it's very easy on the computer's processors, and it's got a slew of useful effects.

I like it much more than n-Track.

-Mike
 
Okay. I think I'm on my way... :)

I like the look of M-Audio's Audio Buddy as a pre-amp... but I won't be rash.

I'll look for a decent condenser microphone next - from initial investigation it looks like I'm going to need to outlay £250 ($400)!

Then its the soundcard and software....

Any other tips would be gratefully received!
:)
 
Hi DigiDunce,

You can try the free version of Pro Tools. It will do probably more than you will need for now (does more than I need anyway).
http://www.digidesign.com/
It’s limited in that it can only do 8 tracks of digital audio, but for a lot of us that’s plenty. This gets you a good 8 track 24bit digital recorder / mixer for FREE. Oh, pro tools comes with a compressor, de-esser, reverb and other effects as well as full midi support. I was happy as a pig in s**t when I downloaded it and ran it.

I also agree that you should not be afraid to spend a little money on a nice mic and pre amp. I went with a rode nt1000 mic and an m-audio dmp-3 pre, this gives me a nice clean sound for the classical music I sing. Other pre’s that people here would recommend are the Studio Projects vtb-1 and joeMeek mq3 (both of these are said to add a little (or a lot) of color to the sound.) Other LD condenser mics to check out would be the Studio projects C1, rode NTK and maybe the AKG c3000b.
Any money put towards a mic / pre setup will be well worth it for recording vocals, IMO. BTW: All the mic's I mentioned go for 300 bucks exctpt the NTK.

My soundcard is a SB extigy, but I don’t recommend it. I get decent results, but I will be getting a better card soon that’s more suited to multi-track recording. But my point is if you already have a somewhat decent soundcard with a line or aux in, then you have enough to at least get started.

I would also pick up a good set of monitors.

Anyway for about 400 - 800 bucks you can get an amazingly decent quality vocal chain, and you can run that into free software and get great results.

good luck!
 
Mmm, that's another point:

The signal chain is very important towards efficient and effective signal transfer.
 
Thanks Gunther, lots of info for me to investigate there. The software you mentioned sounds more than sufficient for my needs. The most work will go on the vocals, with any music being pre-recorded, so I am sure 8 tracks will be fine!

I think I'll be coming back here to ask more questions soon - after I've done more looking, as I can't believe how helpful the experienced people are here to newbies like me!!

Cheers :)
 
keep in mind that Pro-Tools frre does not work with WIN XP
Although I dont know what OS your using, I thought I would mention it.
 
Stealthtech said:
keep in mind that Pro-Tools frre does not work with WIN XP
Although I dont know what OS your using, I thought I would mention it.
Click to expand...
Well isn't that typical - I'm using Win XP Professional!? :(
 
I have found some microphones that are slightly cheaper than the $400 I mentioned earlier. I think I have some demoing in front of me! :)
 
Mr. Dunce, people here are helpful to you because you have asked your questions humbly, which is a rarity. While you have had some good advice on soundcards, you did mention that you accepted that you would need a mic. Many great singers like just one, and others use different ones for different songs. You are in danger of running off trying to figure how to process this signal when you don't have it yet.
Begin at the beginning of the signal chain. 1. The singer. Be the best you can be. Get good teachers/coaches, if you have the opportunity. Stay hydrated. Then- 2. Find out what mics you sound good through. Problem is, it could turn out to be a $4500 Latvian tube mic, or a $79 Shure SM57. Until you experiment, there is really no way to find what mics fit your voice. Buy *those* mics. I have favorites, but everybody does. Cheap mic- I like Studio Projects B-1 and C-3. $500-800- I like B.L.U.E. Dragonfly and Rode NTK. There are many more expensive models, the top of the line more or less being $2000-5000. You probably don't need that kind of mic now, or perhaps have the resources. I do advise that if you are a serious singer, eventually you will want a Large Diaphagm FET condenser, a tube mic, a good dynamic, and in time, a ribbon mic.
As a beginner, start with the dynamic and then condenser. Are you used to mics on stage at all? I don't know if you rock, or sing mozart, or rap. The foundation of the art is a dynamic mic, learn to be one with it. Try a Sennheiser 441 or Shure SM7 or SM7B.
Then plug your cool mic into the best preamp you can lay your hands on. This is a place where there are bargains, but money does buy better sound as a rule, in the preamp market. Preamps, like mics, can be accurate and tranparent, or they can be colorful and flattering, warm. Both are important, and have the right place and time. For clean, I like Grace 101. For color, I like Joemeek. You will be tempted to buy just one channel, 'cause you are only doing vocals, to save money, but pairs are sooo nice for stereo recording. Preamps vary widely in price, from $80 or so, up to $2500+ per channel.
Some preamps have compression, a tool for dynamic control, and EQ for tone shaping. Such preamps are called channel strips.
If there isn't a compressor in your preamp, consider FMR Audio RNC, about $175. Get the best cables you can find, or learn to make them, find a good room where the computer can be in an adjacent room. Read up on room conditioning and make a few changes to the rooms. Get good headphones, and a good pair of powered monitors. Add a power conditioner or 2 and your good to go.
Now that you have a signal, plug it into that Pro Tools doodad, and I'll bet you get "quality recording" eventually. The hard part will be figuring out where to put the damn mic. Best of luck-Richie
 
Richie,

Thanks very much for the detailed information on mics and preamps... (although power conditioning sounds complicated... hopefully its not really ;) ).

I think I'm going to start small (as you suggested), perhaps with a low end condenser mic. I've had a hunt around and seen some reasonably priced condenser mics that have good reviews. For example, the Joe Meek JM47 can be bought with a MQ3 preamp (which has a compressor) for around £300 ($450), which may represent a good starting point. Naturally, as you suggest, I'll be trying them out first.

You also answered another question I've been meaning to ask - namely, how do I keep the sound of my PC out of the recording. You suggested an adjacent room, and I think I can manage that.

So all in all, I'm eyeing up a mic and preamp... and I'm also tempted by the Audiophile soundcard, but its not a necessity to start with. I think that leaves just the software (apart from cables and items like a mic stand).

I'm getting there... and I already know a lot more than I did yesterday thanks to this forum!! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top