why always too bright/harsh?

[fendorst]

I have a fair amount of experience recording with analog tape. But this isn't a rant about why that's better than digital. They both work great, I hear great stuff recorded both ways.

But I will say when recording digital (I use Cakewalk GuitarTracks Pro3, Windows PC, M-Audio USB interface, KRK powered monitors) everything I track always comes out unbelievably bright. Whether drum program, bass, guitars, keyboards, vox... the high end of individual tracks is always so freakin' BRIGHT. When listening to all tracks together it's painfully harsh.

I roll off highs on every individual track, sometimes when tracking, sometimes when mixing, sometimes both. I EQ out more highs on the overall mix. Still can't tame the overall brightness.

Something isn't right. One shouldn't have to dial back high end on every track at every step of the process.

My gear isn't stellar, but it isn't total garbage, either. Also, the problem is not that I get no low end. All of the low frequencies are properly recorded for their respective instruments. I get good bottom end.

The problem is everything I record plays back overly bright. And it's not a question of individual taste. Everyone for whom I play the mixes says the same thing: it's way too bright. Doesn't matter whether I play back on home stereo, through the KRKs, in the car or on the ipod.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Greg_L]

It's all in your head. Or maybe you're just not used to the clarity of the far superior digital realm?

 

[leddy]

Try mic'ing instruments a little further away. A little bloom in the sound from the room (assuming it's not a bad room) will mellow out the highs and capture more natural sound.

Also, are you using cardioids for everything? Many cardioids have a bump near the harsh frequencies.

Check for phase problems when you are multi-mic'ng a source. That can contribute to harshness IMHO.

Try not using any Chinese gear if you can avoid it.

 

[antichef]

What mics are you using?

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I have a fair amount of experience recording with analog tape. But this isn't a rant about why that's better than digital. They both work great, I hear great stuff recorded both ways.

But do you have great stuff recorded in analog under the same conditions as with which you're getting your bight digital stuff; i.e. the same mic, miking techniques and room?

As leddy and antichef asked, what kind if mic are you using and how are you using it? Also, if you're just recording - or mixing - in a small room that's not at least partly treated and/or with your mixing monitors poorly placed, your bass could very easily be getting mode-ed out simply because of the environment.

G.

 

[Massive Master]

(Broken Record Mode)

Tracking too hot possibly...?

A) That'll certainly do it -
B) 0dBVU is 0dBVU in analog or digital -
C) Many people forget or are not aware of "B)"

 

[Steenamaroo]

i wonder is there a problem in your setup itself..

i don't know about your hardware, but i remember some cheap hardware i had years ago was affected by windows mixer eq(how crap!!!!)


does normal playback sound ok,,ie, mp3s in media player or whatever?

 

[mixsit]

But do you have great stuff recorded in analog under the same conditions as with which you're getting your bight digital stuff; i.e. the same mic, miking techniques and room?

As leddy and antichef asked, what kind if mic are you using and how are you using it? Also, if you're just recording - or mixing - in a small room that's not at least partly treated and/or with your mixing monitors poorly placed, your bass could very easily be getting mode-ed out simply because of the environment.

G.

I have very little analog experience to compare directly (1/4” Fostex 80/Tascam 32 15 or 20 years ago doesn't count I'd be curious of more details too. But with a chain for example of RME ADI-8's, decent pres, QTC-1's (i.e. flat! ) as primary 'kit, assorted mics and what have you, I find lets say typically', I'll end up raising the top somewhat (drums ), and dropping some bottom two octaves or so off bass and or a mix over all to get the balance dialed in.
Quite the opposite. It would surprise me there would be that much difference in the formats (but again I don’t use both).

I roll off highs on every individual track, sometimes when tracking, sometimes when mixing, sometimes both. I EQ out more highs on the overall mix. Still can't tame the overall brightness.

Something isn't right. One shouldn't have to dial back high end on every track at every step of the process.

I agree. Interesting. Keep it comin’.

 

[XLR]

Perhaps you've got something wrong with your interface, or the cabling in or out, and it's filtering it.

One thing I've seen before, though this probably doesn't apply to you, is that a person was using a poor quality multitrack cassette recorder that got a very muddy hazy sound. It masked other recording problems. They got used to emphasizing the highs in tracking to compensate. When they changed to digital all those recording problems suddenly became clear and everything sounded too bright.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

It would surprise me there would be that much difference in the formats (but again I don’t use both).

Agreed. That was my point; I think he's comparing these current recordings with past analog experience, and blaming the digital on the difference. Well, if not directly blaming the digital, he at least listed only the digital side of his recording situation. We need to hear more about the entire situation.

And now that I re-read his original post, I see now that he's not talking about just live miking, or even one signal chain; he's talking about drum programs and keyboards as well as guitars and voice. That makes me suspect his monitoring and mixing environment even more, with signal levels as John mentioned and potential problems with the mAudio interface (or it's driver) coming in as tied for second place possibilities.

G.