Looking for some general tips on recording/mixing vocals.

I'm sure a lot of more knowledgeable folks will be along to help with suggestions about mics, etc., but I will just throw a couple of things in.
 
It's worth investing in a pop shield.  They can be inexpensive.  I got mine free with a mic.
 
To get an even level I love the combination of the PC76 compressor to catch the transients, and the PC-2A (or CA-2A) to balance the overall levels.  It's a classic combination.  Kind of micro/macro leveling.
 
Also add a little saturation, but only to the high frequencies.  You can use the VC-64 and choose to saturate only high in the EQ, or use the PC Sat knob set to keep high.
 
Don't know if an of that helps, as you probably know it already.
 
Good luck.

Hi Beepster, my name's Rimshot  


You will most likely see a lot of responses to your question.  I can only offer you what I use from my home studio which is not state of the art or super professional. I use inexpensive gear in a very simple way.


For my vocals, I use a Behringer B1 Large Diaphram condenser ($100).  I think I am one of the lucky ones in that this mic has performed very well for me for a number of years.  Someday I would like to get an AT 4040 mic for vocals.

My mic goes into an Alesis MicTube Duo Stereo Tube Mic Pre ($89).  I use a touch of the tube overdrive on it and then send the signal to my Zoom R24 which is my DAW interface to my PC.

I record with a pop screen, no rolloff or pad on the mic.  The level goes into X1 or S1 with peaks no greater than about -10 db.

I then adjust to taste by using a limiter, compressor, EQ, etc.  I find that I need to control the peaks so I usually use a compressor with light compression.  For EQ in my setup, I usually highpass the bottom end around 60 hz and boost about 4K on the mids.  Sometimes I add a touch at 10K for some added air.  

That's it for me.  I try to sing in a way that controls the loud peaks by backing off just a tad.  Sometimes I need to use pitch correction. 

All in all, you can see that what I use is really simple and not expensive.  If you have heard my latest song post, you will see how this sounds.  Here's that link: 

https://soundcloud.com/ji...d-you-loved-me-2-12-13

I apologize if this is not the info you were looking for.

Rimshot

One of the Groove3 mix videos goes into some detail about recording and mixing vocals. Might be a good time to redeem that coupon.

@scook... yup. Gonna do a big clean up in here then get back to business. I'm trying to get the vox on this tracks smoothed out a bit better though so I can start working on some of the lead guit textures. I want them to play off the vocals which is hard when they stick out like a smashed thumb. ;-)

A little. Doesn't go too in depth though but it'll go in my bookmarks. Cheers.

I've heard that trick before but forgot. Heh... I just imagined the looks 6'4" scruffy arsed Beepster would get buying some nylons. lulz

Beep, you don't have to buy a new pair, any old pair of pantyhose that you own will do :)

Beep,

the important thing is to remember it is source, room, mic, mic preamp, convertor.

As SOS sez incessently, hang a quilt behind you.  Dampens the 1st reflections from behind you, as well as 2nd reflections from the front and sides bouncing off the back wall.

The two mic approach is interesting and has been used.  But one should be concerned that the front mic (pay special attention to phase issues!) is all splashy.  Have you tried placing the mic higher than your mouth?  Position can make a world of difference.  See if you can't get someone to help, doing the record function as you move the mic around and test.  Even better if they have ears and can offer placement help.  I don't know the mic but I know w/ sdc backing off the mic can help "round out" the sound.  SDC's can sound great on females, but power males are a bit iffy.  A sock is no real answer.  Of course, a pop filter shouldn't alter the tone, either.  But if you are working alone and tend to get into the moment, a pop filter can place you in one spot and keep you from getting to close to the mic.

As far as vocal fx, my traditional chain (as well as many others) is the 1176 followed by the La2a.  Note, don't use a lot of gain reduction or drive in them at first or you will get saturation.  Use the combo to get the vocal track into a steady range of volume - shaving off a little of the loudest parts and firming up the lower ones.  You don't want to kill the dynamics, just make it less intrusive.  Then use vol automation to level it even more (tho vol automation is useful before the comp process if the levels are all over the place - a lot of time I'll bring down [or up] the chorus etc. beforehand if there is a big difference).  eq, hard to say - depends upon the voice and instruments, but almost always high pass to get rid of noise down low. Even the air in the bottom can eat up headroom.  Sibilance is 6-7 kHz.  This can usually be brought down.  "Air" is above 10 kHz, come up w/ that.  a lot of vocal energy is 1-3 kHz.  Dip offending instruments there if necessary.  YOur problem sounds different (I'm going w/ what you've said in other posts here).  But a well recorded vox should respond in general to those settings.

As far as not having cash - I understand.  It costs very little to get a little room treatment that can make a big difference.  Quilts, bookcase (w/ books - ok, that is more expensive) for diffusion.  A bed (for absorption of lower frequencies).  A room w/ furniture sounds a lot deader than an empty room if you've ever painted the same room.

And mic placement costs nothing.

Now, as far as equipment ...  Pop screen rather than sock. Cost more ($20-30) but won't interfer w/ the sound.  a better mic.  Here at home I use Oktavas since I got them cheap back when.  I had my 319 modified after I dropped it by M. Joly.  It is a better mic for that - more open, bla bla bla.  It was before and is now even more acceptable.  A 319 or 219 is a very usable mic standard for just about everything.  The AKG 214 is like the 414 which is another studio "standard."  A ribbon mic might fit your voice from what you have described if you are getting a harsh, bright tone.  I picked up a mxl for here at home, the $99 one (on SALE! even cheaper).  It is certainly less bright and low end forever.  However, any ribbon and many dynamic mikes (the sm 7) need more gain from the preamp.  One of the things I advise for the home studio guy is to make friends w/ local studios.  Most people that run studios due it from a love of music and don't mind helping out local talent as long as it doesn't become a bother.  Prehaps you could find a studio that would let you try out a few types of mics to fit your voice and ears?

Preamps aren't over rated but are not a cure for a bad mic or room.  But a good one makes the recording life soo much easier and for someone getting in (or back into recording) removes all kinds of issues.  A good preamp like the Warm Audio or ISA one or Gap 73 or the RNP provides high gain for ribbons/dynamics or backing the mic off and high grade electronics that don't crap out like just about every interface preamp.  Any of those above are about $400, will work just like and about as good $4000 preamps w/o the bragging rights and keep most of their value and last a lifetime.  A good investment if you are ready.  A channel strip is better, but is a larger investment.

The best thing is too spend time developing your technique and ear.  Although age and rocknroll have taken a toll on my ears, I can hear musical details better than ever.  Then you can really use better equipment to your advantage.

@

Nice one AT. Thanks for stopping in. I'll try to incorporate as much of that stuff as I can. Some things are impossible due to the room and my current budget but any little bit helps. I mean I can get close the way I've been doing things but I know with a little more focus and proper methods thrown in I can get things sounding a lot slicker. Cheers.

Hiya, Danny. I was hoping you'd pop in. The stuff I'm working on now is getting into my more political/controversial stuff so it probably won't be getting posted up here but maybe I'll put up something in the same vein except change the lyrics to be about bunnies and hippos frolicking in a field for everyones perusal. If all goes well though and I can stay focused this should lead to a full album for release. I may need a pro mixer's touch and some mastering if that ends up being the case. The vocals really are turning into my biggest problem right now. I'm quite out of practice I'm having a hard time opening up so maybe a bulk of my problems will fade once I get back into the swing of things. I desperately need a new mic too although I hear ya on making stuff work in post.

oops... phone call. BRB.

Beepster


Hiya, Danny. I was hoping you'd pop in. The stuff I'm working on now is getting into my more political/controversial stuff so it probably won't be getting posted up here but maybe I'll put up something in the same vein except change the lyrics to be about bunnies and hippos frolicking in a field for everyones perusal. If all goes well though and I can stay focused this should lead to a full album for release. I may need a pro mixer's touch and some mastering if that ends up being the case. The vocals really are turning into my biggest problem right now. I'm quite out of practice I'm having a hard time opening up so maybe a bulk of my problems will fade once I get back into the swing of things. I desperately need a new mic too although I hear ya on making stuff work in post.

oops... phone call. BRB.

Well Beeps, maybe at some point you can share it with me/us. Sometimes it's an easy fix or just being taught how or what to listen for things. If all else fails, go buy an SM-58....that's pretty much a no fail mic no matter who uses it. :)
 
I wouldn't let the politics stop you...a song is a song/art, ya know? Just about my whole new album is political in nature. I can't help that I am very unhappy with how things are in America. I usually NEVER write about that stuff...but, it's my way to cry out without rioting or trying to start a revolution. LOL!
 
-Danny

Everybody has given great advice. Like all advice when it comes techniques, your individual needs and your content will require some tweaking. Pop filters vary in quality but the need for the higher end ones vary with your singing/speaking style. My Blue Spark has a built in pop filter (that seems more for looks than anything) is only useful within a very narrow vocal proximity and completely useless for styles with high plosive content like rap. A $17 nady pop filter is not a bad investment for the price. Experiment with proximity. Some mics really love for the vocalist to be practically swallowing it. Others sound awful up close but warm and creamy if you give them a few extra inches. As far as politics, I don't think postings here are judged so much on content but more on technical merits for feedback. I get annoyed when someone turns a thread on compression into an "I hate Obama" or "I hate Rush Limbaugh" convo (even though given the demographics of this forum the former is more likely), but when you are posting YOUR song, the content is YOUR business and anybody who listens to a song called "Blow me Pelosi" and complains they are offended should know better than to even click that thread. I would suggest making it clear in the thread title that your song is political or controversial and a reasonable adult will have a choice.

@dubdisciple... Heh... my lyrics are a little more nuanced than all that but still, like to keep things more or less audio related while I'm here. I'm more a centrist screaming for sanity but considering how polarized society has become that tends to just piss EVERYONE off. lol

I do have some SM58s but they don't really cut it for what I want. That Shure C series I mentioned is actually better than the 58s I find but to get the crispness/clarity I'm looking for the condensers seem to be the easiest route. I tested all of them out last fall to see what did what and the Samsons were definitely the best. I was looking at an AKG (can remember the darned model number now) that was going for $100 last time I checked. It was a cheaper version of the mic Julibee said she uses and her recording sound fantastic IMO. The right amount of body and crispness so I'm hoping that'll help. Really any vocal dedicated condenser would be a step up from these cheapos I'm using now. They're meant as overheads and they didn't really work all that great for that either. They have weird kind off washed out, singing into a fan, almost digital quality about them. It's hard to describe but I really have to mess with the signal to get them sounding "normal".

Meh... I'm hoping something I'm working towards right now will free up a bit of cash but I won't know for another month or so. Then I'll be able to tuck away about $100 or so for equipment purchases. Financially I would have been better off in my old space but it was a nightmare and I didn't have enough room to get stuff done. 

Cheers, dude. Hope you've been well.

@Beepster..I was being silly with the song title and could never imagine you saying anything like that :) If you are looking to upgrade your current mic and don't have much cash, the blue mic I spoke of may be the best overall mic you will get for under $200. I just picked up the limited edition white one. As I mentioned, the pop filter is limited but is included as well as a shock mount. The version I got also included a matching xlr cable. I can't say enough good things about this mic considering the price. I am using it primarily for on location VO work, but it works well for singing and instruments. I started to get a sterling ST55 and seriuously considered Rode Nt1-a but after listening to all three, it was no contest imho.

some pros use handheld sm58's and 57's to record final vocals with.
but these were in pro studios, with pro engineers, using pro signal chains and pro ability.



if you cannot afford pro mics, then you can't afford them.
so don't worry about it, just go for the best performances you can get, and always keep your signal clean without clipping.


just don't think you can get pro sounds out of a consumer mic.

the performance is always more important than the sound, anyways.

always.


you should be able to get a good clear sound with a AT2020 (i have a AT4033 and love it)

good clean (conservative) levels, not too close to the mic, use pop filters, the eq to taste at mixdown.