Vocal recording problem

Ian McAllister · #1 July 24th, 2008

Hi tekker et al. Well, a few months with Reaper and I seem to be able to do what I wanted; record and mix songs using instruments I play myself. The problem comes when I start recording vocals. This is an unfinished piece which will eventually have lots of layered vocals. The problem, aside from my lack of vocal talent, is that the vocals sound wrong. They don't sit in the mix nicely, the volume keeps changing due to my microphone technique, and I have cheap mics which I can't do anything about at the moment.
Any advice would be welcome.
Ian

knight46 · #2 July 24th, 2008

Ian,
Not sure what you are hearing, but that was pretty good to me. The vocals could come out a bit more, but that should be done on mixing. Otherwise, sound good.

Rockerbob · #3 July 24th, 2008

Two tricks I use on vocals all the time are:

1. Roll off all the bottom end with a high pass filter. 200 on down you can cut off. Sometimes 300 (or higher) on down.

2. Compress the poop out of it. 4:1 ratio or so. Threshold set to get 6DB or so of gain reduction.

Ian McAllister · #4 July 24th, 2008

Thanks Keith, I'll try that, that may also allow me to bring out the vocals more as knight suggested.
Ian

OldG · #5 July 24th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockerbob

Two tricks I use on vocals all the time are:

1. Roll off all the bottom end with a high pass filter. 200 on down you can cut off. Sometimes 300 (or higher) on down.

2. Compress the poop out of it. 4:1 ratio or so. Threshold set to get 6DB or so of gain reduction.

Yup +1 on these, sometimes I like a to use a limiter, with a splash of chorus and reverb too.

knight46 · #6 July 24th, 2008

I don't think anyone done a lesson here on how to use compression and high pass filters...OldG...RB...hint,hint.

carol m · #7 July 25th, 2008

Thanks guys - All these tips are carefully stored away for debut day (as yet to be determined).

Berlu · #8 July 28th, 2008

A lesson on all of this recordin stuff would be great if anybody ever does it.

To me recording is one of those thing that i'd love to do but it seems too complicated fo my mind to understand.

EDIT: I'm sorry, should know better than to ask for a lesson without searching around. I found a few lessons by tekker that deal with recording.

http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/fo...kkers-lessons/

Ian McAllister · #9 July 28th, 2008

Hi Berlu, yep, there are a lot of lessons, pointers and hints here, not only on the subject of recording! If you're using Reaper, then I know that tekker won't mind if I also point you in the direction of the Reaper forums, which are as comprehensive as you could want!
REAPER Forums - Cockos Confederated Forums
Best of luck.
Ian
Ian