Vox upgrade

[pdadda]

Hey folks. I have currently been recording vocals using a Behringer B1 mic into either the pre's on a Mackie SR24-4 or a SP VTB-1 into the A/D converters on a MOTU828mkii. I used to think it sounded great, but have become less satisfied with it the more I train my ears.
Here's my question? For ~$300, what do you think would be my best choice for upgrading? You can listen to some audio clips at my website(http://www.weapons-of-mass-distraction.com/Media.htm), but those vocals aren't really my main style. I typically sing a bit more along the style of Jeff Buckley.
What would you recommend? Compressor? Better mic? Obviously several things could help, but I only have the $ for one upgrade right now.

 

[chessrock]

I love the sound of your guitars.

Your voice could use a little more midrange engery ... and some compression could always help. As for vox mics, maybe a Shure condenser or an Audio Technica.

I dunno. It's not like I totally hate your vocal sound. Your room doesn't particularly suck, either. This might just be a case where you need to brush up on your mixing; compression and EQ to help your voice poke out a little more.

Again ... love those guitar tones you got there. I wouldn't panic. This stuff sounds fine for what it is.

So I take it your bassist was on vacation when you tracked? Kidnapped? Sorry to hear about that. Send my condolences to his family. He was a good man, and will be sorely missed. Man, I sure hate it when perfectly good bassists suddenly just disappear on ya like that.

 

[nuemes]

I would like to hear your vocal out front more. I think a Blue Baby Bottle ($500) would help do this for you. It's a condensor with a midrange focus that would likely put your vocals in front of the guitars while keeping your voice warm and in-your-face (which the vocals seem to lack now).

I know this may be out of your price range but might be worth saving for (I bought a MXLV67 thinking it was the answer for my own voice & within a month of that made the stretch for a Baby Bottle due to the lack of detail in the V67).

If the money is out of the question then I'd track the vocals with more dynamics on a SM58/57 or equivalent.

 

[Strave]

The behringer B1 is an incredible step up from the sm 57 or 58 in my opinion... I recorded on both those mics for like 3 years when I was starting out and the detail alone on the behringer is better... if you aren't getting a good sound with the behringer it might be something about technique... but definately don't step down to a cheap dynamic.

 

[EleKtriKaz]

Cool songs.

Good sound overall. I agree with what Chess said. The thing that stuck out to me was that your vocals needed some compression. I actually thought they were the right level in the mix, but a little well used compression would help with presence.

The other thing I noticed was that there was a lot of room sound in the drums. This is probably personal perference, but I would maybe do a little more close micing on the drums.

And now for an obscure reference to the pictures on your site: As Starflyer 59 would say, "Play the 'C' Chord."

 

[Big Kenny]

I think you should look into the M179 by CAD, Audio Technica 4033 or 4040, and I concurt that the drums need a little compression or maybe eq to brighten 'em up a bit. Nice stuff! Save up for an RNC too, it would love your voice

 

[Bob's Mods]

I picked up an AKG C2000B on ebay and it works with my voice very well. I never had a mic that worked on my voice until this one. It really is a trial and error process.

Bob

 

[pdadda]

Thanks for the feedback so far. If anyone is interested, here's how everything else was recorded:

Guitars: Sennheiser e609 on either a Fender Princeton Chrous (guitar=Fender '72 Tele Deluxe RI) or a Crate XT120R (guitar=Ibanez 2005 S470DXQM). All distortion and chorus is from the amps.

Drums: OH's=recorderman method with 2 SM57's.
Kick= Behringer B1
We set up a kinda funky barrier around the Kick mic with drum cases. You can see it in the pics under the recording section.

 

[kid klash]

Nice job

Hey folks. I have currently been recording vocals using a Behringer B1 mic into either the pre's on a Mackie SR24-4 or a SP VTB-1 into the A/D converters on a MOTU828mkii. I used to think it sounded great, but have become less satisfied with it the more I train my ears.
Here's my question? For ~$300, what do you think would be my best choice for upgrading? You can listen to some audio clips at my website(http://www.weapons-of-mass-distraction.com/Media.htm), but those vocals aren't really my main style. I typically sing a bit more along the style of Jeff Buckley.
What would you recommend? Compressor? Better mic? Obviously several things could help, but I only have the $ for one upgrade right now.

I only had enough time to listen to your first track, but it sounded pretty damn good... must be the mojo from the checkered sneakers!

Seriously - what don't you like about the way your vocal sounds? With a bit more insight, it would be easier to steer you in the direction you seek.

 

[pdadda]

They just seem a little thin to me. A bit harsh too. I'm hoping that's not just the way I song.

 

[Bob's Mods]

They just seem a little thin to me. A bit harsh too. I'm hoping that's not just the way I song.

I think you're being to critical. They are decent recordings. Your best mix was Nobody. At least to me that is and I'm a fussy person. That Behringer B1 sounded better than I would have expected from a Behringer product.

Your other three songs, the vocals were a bit buried, which is common today.
And maybe on the last one, Fallen, the guitars were a little harsh when you really pounded them. That competes with the vocals.

Your getting a workable high quality sound right now. Maybe it's that MOTU helping out alot. I wouldn't waste tons of money trying to find the end of the rainbow. What you've got right now is very workable in my book. I believe what you need to focus on more is the mix to balance out your tracks.

I have messed with this stuff for a while and never got good recordings like that early on so it pissed me off. Now they are respectable. You don't have worry much. Get your mixing skills honed.

Bob

 

[chessparov]

Always a smart idea to try out your SM57 too.

What kind of parametric EQ are you using?

That'd be very helpful in tone shaping...

Chris

 

[pdadda]

The only parametric EQ I have used is a plug-in that came bundled with Tracktion. Other than that, I have the EQ on the board.
After all the comments, I am questioning whether something strictly for vocals is my next move. I think I am leaning towards getting a RNC. But I definitely agree that I need to spend a lot of time improving my mixing skills.
I have come to the point where I don't like to buy something new until I find that some part of my gear is for sure the weakest link, not my own abilities. Although it's still always fun to buy new crap.

 

[David Artis]

From what I heard you should concentrate on your mixing skills the most.

You have writing talent and the enthusiam of youth going for you.

I am only going to make one suggestion - try getting a good vocal coach to help you with your voice.

Your voice is fine but you bury it in places becuase you probably don't like to hear it.

A good vocal coach can help you learn control. It is very worthwhile investment and one that will let you feel more comfortable hearing your own voice.

Over the years I have worked with a lot of young singers in my studio and usually the biggest flaw is the control of the voice.

You do have a fine voice the style of music you write - now step it up a notch.

Best to you in your future endeavors.

 

[Strave]

I think you're being to critical. They are decent recordings. Your best mix was Nobody. At least to me that is and I'm a fussy person. That Behringer B1 sounded better than I would have expected from a Behringer product.

Bob

The behringer B1 is a more than sufficient mic and everyone brings it down... check out http://www.myspace.com/strave.... the first 3 songs were done with the behringer B1 on vocals.

The bitrate is reduced a ton but you can hear that it's a good mic if used correctly.

 

[Bob's Mods]

P-bro,

What did you use for a compressor?

Bob

 

[pdadda]

David, yeah I have definitely though about getting a vocal coach. I have been playing instruments most all my life, and I grew up getting lessons. But I have never had a vocal lesson, aside from some trained singers giving me some pointers here and there.
Bob's Mods, I actually didn't use a compressor on vocals. I take that back. On one of the songs, I used the plug-in "classic compressor" on my vox. And that was after recording.