what do you folks think?

[thehook]

I have been around here for a long time now trying to figure out what to use. I need a preamp and a mic for my music. I have heard lots of suggestions on how many mics to use and which preamps but harvey suggested just using one mic for both guitar and vocals. I am trying to achive a sparse but warm sounding recording, espically looking for a warm tone on the guitar. Vocally I am looking for a mic that will work with my style of singing. I want something that is realatively flattering and that makes the vocals shine. I realize eveyone sings different and thats why everyone needs to look deep into mic selection. So I have uploaded a sloppy demo song. Please hear it out and tell me what you think I should use. Preamp I hear is important too since they all have different colors. I am wanting to go somewhat cheap maybe the 300-500 price range but bang for the buck suggestions are also welcome. (300-500 ebay prices probablly means 400-600 at least market value)

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/mattsparks_music.htm
thanks for listening
matt the 17 year old rock star!
later

 

[David Katauskas]

I know you said this was a rough demo, but I'd recommend quickly investing $20 in a chromatic tuner.

 

[thehook]

ya I know its out of tune, I recorded it. But it would be nice if I could get some suggestions and critique other than the tuning. Also it is a step down all around in D standard so your ears may not be used to it.

 

[crazydoc]

My grandma said if you can't say anything nice, don't say any thing at all. I never paid her no mind.

There's no mic or preamp that will help at this point. Better equipment may make it worse.

1) As noted, you gotta get that guitar in tune (at least D1) - and the downtuning has nothing to do with it - it's just out.
2) You gotta sing more in tune - some of your notes wander a whole tone looking for their home. If that's your "style", so be it - it's hard for me to listen to.
3) For this kind of music, you gotta enunciate your words a little better - most of them aren't understandable, and I can't follow the story of the song, which may be interesting, but I'll never know if I can't understand it.

These are performance issues that are correctable with instruction and practice. Hang in there. I do like that quality or timbre of your voice - it has good potential.

That being said, the recording quality is not that bad. What is your set up?

 

[thehook]

word at least you had some real things to say. I am using a dell p3 1.25 ghz with a mic that I took out of a 5 year old monitor that stoped working recording into a 16 bit nvidia sound card I believe. About 'wandering' I have never been told that before, told I have a neat voice and that I need to enounciate (spelling?) but never that can you go into more detail? About equpiment I realize none will make issues better but at least it will give me reason to practice more. Thanks for your suggestions but I also need equipment suggestions I guess preformance onces are first and foremost though.
thanks again for being less of a helpless prick that some others who will remain nameless
matt

 

[ljmaxx]

ya I know its out of tune, I recorded it. But it would be nice if I could get some suggestions and critique other than the tuning. Also it is a step down all around in D standard so your ears may not be used to it.

I tried to listen to your song but I could only make it through the first verse because of the out of tune guitar. The only words I could make out were kiss your pretty face. That guitar is way out of tune and since you said you knew it was out why did you record it? I'm not being a smart ass I'm just wondering how you got around the tuning.

I'd start off with a CAD M179 or a CAD E200 and run it through a VTB-1 since it appears you want to use just one mic. Either of those mics have three polar patterns and I'd try the omni first if you have a decent room. You should be able to do that for around $300. If you choose the E200 you'll have to find a used one but they can be had for around $200 and the VTB-1 is selling for $99 delivered on ebay right now. Good luck.

 

[thehook]

vtb1 was once suggested however I have heard it doesn't do well for guitar...I am gonna re record this now with the guitar in tune so bear with me.

 

[ljmaxx]

vtb1 was once suggested however I have heard it doesn't do well for guitar...I am gonna re record this now with the guitar in tune so bear with me.

Read the comments here: http://groups-beta.google.com/groups?q=vtb-1

If you don't like the VTB-1 try an M-Audio DMP3 which is about $200 so you'll still be in your budget. So post the re recorded song already.

 

[thehook]

song updated worked on solid pitch and guitar is tuned

 

[omtayslick]

Walters? Is that you?

 

[thehook]

Are you calling me barbra walters? you are a crazy young person
so now you can all listen and enjoy cause the guitar is tuned
and maybe even tell me what mic and preamp would suit me and my musack
the best just maybe
thanks
matt

 

[crazydoc]

The guitar's still not in tune, but it's better. Most notably, the 2nd string is flat.

You're enunciating more clearly - that's good.

You're not singing in tune - you start many notes a semitone flat, and then wander up to around the correct pitch by the end of the note.
It just takes practice and instruction.

Anyway, I'd go with the MAudio DMP3. This will give you 2 channels if you ever want to record the guitar and vocals with separate mics. It also gives you direct inputs for electric guitar or bass should you ever want to record them. $160 here - probably cheaper on Ebay.
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10268&Category=Audio_Processors

For a single mic, the suggestion of a CAD M179 is a good one, as it has a variable polar pattern from omni though cardiod, hypercardioid, and figure 8, to give you lots of options when recording voice and guitar simultaneously.
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=7732&Category=Microphones

For a two mic setup, the MXL V67 on voice
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6458&Category=Microphones

and SP B1 on guitar would be viable options for $100 each, though you can probably find them cheaper on Ebay.
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10142&Category=Microphones

 

[RAMI]

Funny thing is, the song's probably going to go to #1 just because everyone's going to listen to it. I honestly couldn't listen to more than 20 seconds...But who am I to comment, you're the "17 year old Rock Star".

 

[thehook]

that was a joke man damn
anyway thanks for the suggestions
by the way mr 20 seconds do you make music if so where is it?

 

[RAMI]

Yes, I do make music. The point isn't my music. I'm not calling myself a rock star, and I'm not asking anyone to listen to my music.

 

[mr.rich]

damn whys so many people busting your balls? it says right in your first post its a sloppy take. i think the people here should notice first that your a 17 year old kid whose interested in the art of recording and willing to throw down 500$ to try to make yourself sound better. alot more than most people do at 17. i honestly dont think it sounds bad, the flat vox have a kindof endearing quality to them. there have been huge records that have far more wacked out pitch problems than that. i also dont see any major issues with the tones of the vox or guitar. sure there a little thin but the plunky tone of the guitar sounds good for the style of music. the vox seem a bit flat but have a nice deep timber. mabye a mxl v69 would be nice there, pick up more of the transients. that and one of the cheap ribbons being made put about a foot in front of the guitar would give you a nice old feel as long as you had a room with a bit of kickback into the figure 8 of the ribbon. as for pres id say a rnp, an art gold (which my buddy just bought and i used in a sessin and was very surprised at. liked it more than the rnp) or if you can do some electronics or a have someone who can the hamptone jfet kit. those all push 500, the hamptone is more but was designed and built 1 guy who takes pride in his pres.


no matter what remember that ears and a creativity are the most important thing in the studio. a brilliant album can be made with nothing and crap can be made with a million bucks.

 

[Sonic Idiot]

I'm wondering if this cat is pulling our e-leg.

If not, here's some straight advice. Give your $500 to a voice coach. Which he'll use to buy these:

http://carter.to/redirect.php?Id=366

You need some lessons, feller. Your voice gave me the blues alright. It put the blues on my ears. Work hard. Good luck.

 

[thehook]

Yes, I do make music. The point isn't my music. I'm not calling myself a rock star, and I'm not asking anyone to listen to my music.

WOW I can believe ho much deeper of a thinker you are than I. I have never ran into such an intelligent individual. If all of us could realize the point of making music isn't making music and sharing it we would all be a ton better off. I guess giving people an example of something I would sound like in looking for a mic was pretty far out as well all mics sound the same and no one mic is better suited for no one person. What was I thinking? Finally lord knows that all 17 year olds are naturally rock stars its a damn right if passage when (and if) you were ever 17 your were in fact a rock star thats just how it goes. Ya know the funny thing is I was just on tour in Germany opening up for 50000 seaters and got back in the states a few days ago and felt that the setup I had wasn't doing me justice or my millions of fans so I felt I would get on here and ask folks about it. In the future I won't toot my own horn so much but I will refrain from talking about Mr. rockstarish ways because it seems that you suffer from a short mans syndrome or something similar and can't dare see others successful at what you have dreamed about for years but been unable to accomplish. But you know all the rockstars these days are kids singing and playin bad blues and old time music...give it a shot bud. Thanks for the thoughtful and intriguing incite I hope to read such thought out commentary from you in the future.
Matt takes himself seriously

 

[OneRoomStudios]

uh.....what?

 

[baekgaard]

Well...

Matt (thehook),

First, let me say I didn't listen to your music. I actually tried, but got a server error due to some network problems, and didn't go back to check again. It may work now; I don't know. But it means I am not able to offer your any intelligent advice based on your question and your clip.

Second, you got some pretty direct comments on your performance. Not what you asked for, but it is wise always to be prepared for that kind of feedback on a public forum. And I believe that all, that gave comments, did so because they felt the issues they adressed were as important as what you were asking for comments on. I'm sure they thought it would be a better "return of investment" if you work with your tuning, voice, etc.

In the "real world" you may never get such comments. People just think it, tell it to their friends, and don't show up next time. The good thing about the net is that you can actually get these honest and usually unbiased comments, you can take action and improve if needed. (Note: I said _if_ -- I still didn't hear your clip).

From reading the thread, it seems your reply to those offering you feedback you didn't like, has been to attack them and accuse them of all sorts of things -- such as being "mr. 20 seconds" or "suffering from a short mans syndrome" and the like. Especially your last post. There is hardly any evidence to prove those claims. On the other hand, people commenting here did so based on your own performance.

I honestly don't think your attitude will help you get the comments and advice you are looking for and maybe need. I don't believe people at attacking you or trying to put you down. But I'm pretty sure many people will now refrain from giving comments and advice, based on your reactions.

If you think I'm now also attacking you or trying to put you down, think again. I'm just trying to help you see what happened in this thread in a slightly different light from what you seem to have perceived.

Being 17 with a good drive and a nice sounding voice and musical talent is good. And it is better for you to rectify any problems now than in 10 years, when it will be much more difficult to readjust from bad vocal habits.

Just a friendly advice from someone being engaged online and following discussions since the early days of the Usenet back in 1984...

[Apologies for my language -- English is not my native tongue.]


-- Per.