Isolate A Bad Frequency?

Rbh
You can do this with Cakes Eq or just about any other that allows you to narrow the frequency band sufficiently. Simply - narrow one of the bands and give it a sufficient boost - say + 12db. You might want to to lower the fader a bit - then sweep it during playback and you will find several regions that exhibit a lot of offending resonance. Once you pin point the frequency that invokes the ice pick - lower the gain to taste. You might find a couple of these resonant peeks. You can easily by-pass the band to compare pre and post eq processing.

Audioicon

Johnbee58
...I use an Avantone CV 12 tube condenser mic and it has like 9 different polar positions.  Two years ago I did intensive tests on ALL of the positions and they seem to all sound the same (crappy)....

...
You mentioned Microphone, lets start there, not all Mics will work on a particular signal.
My recommendation, find some place that rent mics, rent a few and try them on your signal, then pick what works best for you...

Johnbee58

Jimbo 88
My guess is your problem is what's behind your mic when you record...you are picking up too much room.  Isolate the mic more.  Try something like the product in the link below. but make sure what is behind you is treated also.  Trying to remove things (like frequencies) after the recording is harder than just getting a good recording from the get-go.
I have built my own isolation stands and they make a big difference.  If I can build them ANYONE can...trust me on that!
 
Good Luck.
 
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ReflexionX--se-electronics-reflexion-filter-by-portable-vocal-booth
 
 

I wonder if you've ever seen pictures of my room.  I have posted pics here not long ago.   I do have Auralex treatment and installed as per their advise, but the room is very small (5' x 12').
JB

Johnbee58
I never even used compression before because, in my ignorant mind, it only made the sound worse, but that was only because I didn't know what the hell I was doing with it.  Now, I'm finally realizing how much of a valuable tool compression can be IF you know how to use it.

Euthymia
 
 
BTW, have you gone to Pluginboutique.com to snag the deal on iZotope Ozone Elements? Free with any purchase, so buy something for $1 and you have it.
 
It's a mastering suite, but the EQ is excellent and versatile and great for this kind of surgery. Just turn off the other modules and it's a standalone EQ.

seanmichaelrobinson
Hey Anderton-
 
I'm not saying "Never use Melodyne!: I'm saying, if one spends an hour of focused vocal practice on a new or unfamiliar song, as outlined above, you can reasonably expect to not only be able to sing the song in question much better, but to improve generally as a vocalist. If one spends an hour tinkering with Melodyne...you'll improve your abilities with Melodyne.

Anderton
 Back in the 50s, people would get totally bent out of shape that singers were using equalization. Today it's accepted that equalization is just another tool for making vocals sound better. Sure, I could try out 100 different mics to find which one gives the perfect high-end lift that flatters my voice. But I'm in the studio to record a vocal, not evaluate mics...it expedites the creative process to choose a mic out of a handful of mics that comes close, and add the high-end lift exactly where I want it with EQ.

Johnbee58
 
The names Fabian & Milli Vanilli come to mind.
 
On this notion that everything we hear in recorded entertainment should be "pure and real" and that true talent should never need to be artificially manipulated in any way.  If we are to go by these "purists" then the whole practice of multitrack recording is a lie.  In most cases, modern pop and rock recordings are creating an artificial landscape to the listeners where every member of the band and everything on the recording happened all at the same time and in the same place with no overdubbing or treatment or manipulation.  The reality, most of the time, is that recordings are "productions" and made in pieces like a Hollywood movie.  Rhythm tracks may (or may not) be recorded together but vocals are dubbed later as are embellishments like horns and strings (or other things) and in many cases in different locations.  Then all of the elements are "mixed" with all kinds of echo and delay and special effects added that could never actually be part of the  "image" that we hear from our stereos when we put on the record.  And it's all Les Paul's fault for creating this deception! (how DARE he)!!  So those who want to accuse some of us for using a little pitch control here and there or spicing the vocals up with a bit of EQ and compression, well, maybe somebody like you should just ditch Cakewalk, Pro Tools, Ableton, Logic or whatever else you're multitracking on and just trade all that in for a simple 2 track recorder and do everything live.
 
I would wager that if Beethoven were alive and creating music today, he would be using a Pro Tools rig himself because when a technology is there, in music, medicine, engineering or anything else, we are inclined to use it for the simple fact that it tends to help us make a better product or service.  That's just human nature.
 
JB

1. I could have run for Melodyne, BOOM! Fix.
2. I could change the key of the song and sing the parts again, which is what I did.