worses mixer here. need Techniques,

ok before anything, iv use to have 2 class preamps thats cost be over $800 each and a akg mic that cost me $1,100. and still my vocal sounded lifeless and harsh.
 
now i only have a mxl 990 and a art mpa gold preamp, and its the same as thee 2 high class preamps i got.
 
i been recording for 2 years, on and on (some times i say f*** it because it sonds like crap.)
 
i read books that i been recommended and nothing!
 
i went to a studio down here and they want to charge me just to show me how to mix vocals. $120!!!
 
i would like step by step (photos).
 
does anyone have music that they made with art mpa gold? i would like to hear it.
 
also can some one post a pic of there eq for vocals? i  want to know how much you roll off. thanks guys,
 
 

Pictures won't do you any good since all vocals are different.  As a general rule you can roll off the low end of vocals - up to 200 Hz (more on backing vocals).  Automation is the first step to keep the levels - well, level.  Followed by a comp (try the Sonitus 1176 setting).  That can help "set" the vocal to float on top of the music.  But the vocal mix is dependent upon the music.

The problem is probably more related to recording, not mixing.  How does your room sound?  How does your monitoring sound?  It is hard to record if you can't hear properly, much less mix.  Since you've thrown a lot of money at this process already, a hundred bucks might be a deal if:

1.  The studio gets a good sound that you like and it sounds good in your room too.  Ask for some tracks they done in a style to the music you do.

2.  They show you how to record (track) your vox that you like and sounds good in your room.

Note - if they have a nice room and great monitors it ain't gonna sound as good in your humble abode as it does in the studio coming out at 24 bits, etc. etc.  The point is to get your recordings to sound good in your studio and then learn how that translates into other listening environments.  If you can get to 90% of a pro studio w/ the raw tracks in your bedroom you are on the right track.

You can try various effects - such as double-recording, cloning etc, where you thicken the vocals using extra tracks and applying effects differently to each track (chorus, compression, reverb etc).

I use Melodyne, my vox are very hit and miss....hit and hope more like!

I'm going to take bit's idea a step further.  Nice gear just does a better job at capturing the source.  If all the gear you've used it giving the same results, is it possible that the actual performance itself might really be lifeless and harsh?  Maybe you just need to get yourself psyched up a little more before hitting record. 

You have obviously used quality gear, better than what I have, so I use hard ammo:

What do your co-musicians say? Do they think the recordings sound like you? Could it be your voice just doesn't sound like you thought it would/should sound? When a vocal performance "has it", it usually "has it" without effects and tricks. The effects and tricks give the polish, not the essence.

Otherwise, like mentioned by someone, words "lifeless and harsh" make think of acoustics and reverb more than EQ.

josegon214



 
  The first song in my sig link was done with an ART MPA Gold

This is a big subject and there are a lot of solutions.  Without hearing your recordings it is hard to say.  There is a preset on LP64 called Vocal Lift.  Check out this curve - it may give you some ideas.