Recording vocals...

[Mister Lacey]

I use Sonar Home edition 6 and equipment wise I'm using ...

A Tascam US224.

A TubePre ... http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSTUBEPRE

And right now mic wise I have a piece of shit ... AKG850 not even comp.

Anyways I dont know how to use my equipment for shit, dont even know what the buttons on my preamp do and which ones should be used and where the dials should be and rah rah.

[Retrofreak]

I use Sonar Home edition 6 and equipment wise I'm using ...

A Tascam US224.

A TubePre ... http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSTUBEPRE

And right now mic wise I have a piece of shit ... AKG850 not even comp.

Anyways I dont know how to use my equipment for shit, dont even know what the buttons on my preamp do and which ones should be used and where the dials should be and rah rah.

Ok,

I'm not to familiar with your mic ,but i'd change the mic pre amp if you can.

Even if you've got a budget Mic, you can get a half decent sound from it with a good Mic pre/Channel Strip.

The aim of the game is to get the Mic sounding amazing on the way into your computer, so you use less plugins trying to polish a turd lol

I know budget's maybe tight ,but I'd look on ebay and invest in one of the below:

Mic Pre:
Focusrite (Green Voicebox, Voicemaster 1/2/Pro)
Joemeek 3Q

Mic's

Rode NTK 1/2 or NT2(with a good mic pre)

[Mister Lacey]

What's the difference between a 3q and VC3Q?

[Retrofreak]

What's the difference between a 3q and VC3Q?

The VC3Q is the same thing.

Ones a newer model and the other's the older version, both sick regardless.

Just make sure it's got the "Q" in it as that's the EQ section.

[Mister Lacey]

Ah sick ones really cheap still. Im watching it lol.
Safe man!!!

[Standard]

Do you normalise/hard limit your recorded vocals? I'd be interested to know what the best method is.... Retrofreak?!

[Jason P]

As far as i know normalise is a no-no.

May be wrong.

[Retrofreak]

Do you normalise/hard limit your recorded vocals? I'd be interested to know what the best method is.... Retrofreak?!

It depends on the source and desired effect,

When I'm recording vocals I do add a slight bit of EQ and compression to hold the vocal and level out any slight inconsistencies in the performance.

When I'm mixing percussive Rap vocals...I do like limiting the vocal as it pulls up all the weak words and makes it easier for me to sit the vocal in a mix.

I find Waves Renaissance L1 and the R-Compressor a good combination for these things.

It's a trick that engineers have been doing for years with the Urei 1176.


When I'm recording singers I tend not to go so hard on limiting as it can destroy the dynamics of some one's vocal.

[Retrofreak]

As far as i know normalise is a no-no.

May be wrong.

^^^ yeah

Normalizing aint for me.

[Standard]

Safe for sharing your knowledge, you seem clued up!

I record through a compressor mic which goes straight into my external soundcard, normalise and hard limit in Adobe. TBH I really dont have much idea what I'm doing and it's all trial and error.

[Standard]

^^^ yeah

Normalizing aint for me.

Why's that then?

[Retrofreak]

Safe for sharing your knowledge, you seem clued up!

I record through a compressor mic which goes straight into my external soundcard, normalise and hard limit in Adobe. TBH I really dont have much idea what I'm doing and it's all trial and error.

^^^^Real


I would spend all day (if I have to) simply setting up a good mic sound with a mic pre.

Once I've got the sound that work's for me, I china-graph the settings and never move them again lol.

I try to get the vocal sounding as good as I can before hitting the computer hence using a good Mic Pre/Channel Strip.

Then once recorded I might try a bit of plugin processing and corrective EQ just to shave bit's of hear and there so it sits.

I'm not the greatest fan of overly boosting EQ with plugins as I find it too easy to make things sound cheap and over processed ,because warm distortion is not nature of digital.

At they end of the day it's about your ears and what you want to hear.

But make sure you don't do anything to drastic while your capturing the vocal as it could be a nightmare to fix if you change your mind.

[Retrofreak]

Why's that then?

I find that I have more control Limiting and compressing as opposed to normalizing.

I've found that whenever I've normalized in the programs I use, it makes things louder, but I lose bottom end.

Also I find that it crunches the top end a bit too much for my tastes and gets a bit MP3'ish.

I'm using Pro tools and Logic and I just don't feel that I have control when I've normalized.

I'd rather use gain (as it keeps the dynamic's the same) limit and ride the words with volume fader automation.

[Standard]

Safe once again, and my (possibly) final question is:

Is it worth trying to get a finished product recording and tinkering with vocals at home, or just cut your losses and take the track to a studio to be sprayed on?

[Retrofreak]

Safe once again, and my (possibly) final question is:

Is it worth trying to get a finished product recording and tinkering with vocals at home, or just cut your losses and take the track to a studio to be sprayed on?

Depends on your cash flow and how serious you are about doing music.

If it's just a hobby then renting a cheap studio might be more cost effective in the short term.

If you have a good ear and some decent equipment, then recording at home is the best option imo.

Once your have a good Mic channel and half decent Mic ,just hang up some coats behind a door an vocal.

Pros

1. You know what thing's should sound like as your used to your own environment.
2. Once you have the right gear and confidence you'll save money in the long run.
3. You can get things sounding as good as you can and then send the parts to an external engineer for a second opinion.

Cons

1. You need discipline and focus as your working from home.

[Standard]

Thanks again for taking time to answer my questions and share your knowledge, its appreciated.

[Retrofreak]

Thanks again for taking time to answer my questions and share your knowledge, its appreciated.

safe bruv anytime.

[tapco]

Cons

1. You need discipline and focus as your working from home.

if workin at home side tracks any1, u shudnt be doin it really.

unless your family get in the way, but if u'd rather play xbox or keep flickin through t.v then just give up.

[Mister Lacey]

Hey Retro what other all in ones are decent like a Joe Meek equivelent?

[D-Structo]

What i normally do is use a vocal warmer to give the vocal a fullness. i eq differently each time because obviously most time da beats aint mine and some frequencies may be too powerful/weak.

I use compressors and limiters on each vocal.

Compress and limit the master and do a -30khz cut off to get rid of the vibration.

i usually bring the eq down by 3 decibels on the master at around 30000khz coz i feel it makes the vocals blend with the tune better.

[Miyagi Dan]

i usually bring the eq down by 3 decibels on the master at around 30000khz coz i feel it makes the vocals blend with the tune better.

this is the problem i have

its normally when recording vocals on other peoples beats, sometimes they sound like they dont blend properly, like ive jus put some accapella over the beat instead of recording an actually song..

[Retrofreak]

Hey Retro what other all in ones are decent like a Joe Meek equivelent?



Focusrite Green Voicebox I/II >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jomeek ThreeQ>>>>>>>>>FMR-Really Nice Mic pre>>>>>>>>>Focusrite Voice
Master>>Mindprint En-Voice>>>>Presonus Tube Pre.

[Mister Lacey]

But see the Meek is an all in one Compressor/EQ/Pre what else is all in one like that?

[Retrofreak]

But see the Meek is an all in one Compressor/EQ/Pre what else is all in one like that?

I personally wouldn't go any lower than the above.

I've worked with much higher end gear and these stand up and in some cases out shine things that cost 4 x the price imo.

You get what you pay for and as your an MC that records yourself I suggest that you invest in something quality.

The "Focusrite Green Voicebox" is an all in one that originally cost £1200 when released and now if you look hard enough you can get them for £150-200.

[Mister Lacey]

lol they cost like 900 dollars though...
I'm still watching the 3q at 165 bucks but theres only 2 on ebay lol thats why Im asking just so I can browse ebay still, that focusrite Im watching but its gonna rocket it still has 5 days...

[Retrofreak]

lol they cost like 900 dollars though...
I'm still watching the 3q at 165 bucks but theres only 2 on ebay lol thats why Im asking just so I can browse ebay still, that focusrite Im watching but its gonna rocket it still has 5 days...

Not always..do a "sold item's" search in eBay and you'll see that they've gone for next to nothing before.

You just have to be patient lol.

If you cant stretch to that then go for an MBOX and use Waves plugins to make up the difference.

[Mister Lacey]

Not always..do a "sold item's" search in eBay and you'll see that they've gone for next to nothing before.

You just have to be patient lol.

If you cant stretch to that then go for an MBOX and use Waves plugins to make up the difference.

What's a sold item search?

[Retrofreak]

What's a sold item search?

When in "Search" go to "Advanced " and click "Completed listings only"


Focusrite Green Voicebox I/II >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jomeek ThreeQ>>>>>>>>>FMR-Really Nice Mic pre>>>>>>>>>Focusrite Voice
Master>>Mindprint En-Voice>>>>Presonus Tube Pre.

These are all in ones.

[Mister Lacey]

Thanks man, much appreciated!

[Retrofreak]

Thanks man, much appreciated!

Safe!!

FYI the "MBOX 1" has Focusrite mic pre's that are identical to the "Green range Voicebox"

Focusrite stuff originally were designed by Rubert "Neve", so they have a long history of pro-gear.

[Anonymous]

Safe!!

FYI the "MBOX 1" has Focusrite mic pre's that are identical to the "Green range Voicebox"

Focusrite stuff originally were designed by Rubert "Neve", so they have a long history of pro-gear.

I was thinking about getting the Mbox yesterday but the thing is so unsightly LOL.

[Mister Lacey]

Ah bruv I flopped someone was looking to trade me innit my tubepre and 75 dollars for his Mbox but I took a couple hours longer than I said I would to reply so he boyed me...

[Retrofreak]

I was thinking about getting the Mbox yesterday but the thing is so unsightly LOL.

Which one?

The Mbox 2's are better looking ,but the Mbox 1 has the Focusrite pre's.

Either way they represent good value as they sound good and you get Pro Tools 7 LE Software with them also.

Another thing to look out for is cheap prices of the Digi 002's from states as the 003 are current, the prices of the 002 have fallen, but there's only minor differences between the two models.

MBOX 1
http://www.osxfaq.com/radio/07-2003/mbox.jpg

MBOX 2
http://www.protel.co.nz/digidesign/images/mbox2front_backLRG.jpg

MBOX 2 Pro (Firewire)
http://www.magicaudio.com/site/mbox2probig.jpg

[I Can See You]

Do you guys ALWAYS double up the vocals?

Still trying to work out what sounds best tbh more time the double up just makes it sound like a cheap echoing tune but I dont know if most grime tunes are ALWAYS doubled you just can't notice where its perfect

Someone shed some light please on 'doubling-up vocals'

[S-Kay]

any1?

[verbalmc]

im thinking about getting some new equipment for christmas, was wondering if anyone has a good knowledge on these things im thinking of buying, and whether theres any better options:

A Rode NT1-A
M-Audio Fast track USB/Fast Track Pro
and looking into a small mixer i can use for live and some studio work,
Alesis Multimix 8

i was wondering whether its reccomended to save up for a channel strip
like a focusrite voicemaster

any feedback on that would be apprecieated
thanks

[verbalmc]

and by double up, do you mean
add libs?
i think they sound good, helps boost the vocals, if done well

n what do you think
the m box 2 mini or the m audio fast track pro

[verbalmc]

this is the problem i have

its normally when recording vocals on other peoples beats, sometimes they sound like they dont blend properly, like ive jus put some accapella over the beat instead of recording an actually song..


i do find sometimes, some beats where the frequency is similar to my vocals
it cuts over,
but i havnt experienced vocals not blending like that

sometimes i enjoy just making a messy recording, with low budget equipment

[Retrofreak]

Do you guys ALWAYS double up the vocals?

Still trying to work out what sounds best tbh more time the double up just makes it sound like a cheap echoing tune but I dont know if most grime tunes are ALWAYS doubled you just can't notice where its perfect

Someone shed some light please on 'doubling-up vocals'

Depends on the rapper's tone and how tight they are?

If someone spits quick i'll just go in for key words and track them 2-3 times.
If the MC's spitting slow you and their tone is then, i'd track their verse 2-3 times.

If their timing is not hot, just go in for certain words to prevent a messy recording.

[Retrofreak]

im thinking about getting some new equipment for christmas, was wondering if anyone has a good knowledge on these things im thinking of buying, and whether theres any better options:

A Rode NT1-A
M-Audio Fast track USB/Fast Track Pro
and looking into a small mixer i can use for live and some studio work,
Alesis Multimix 8

i was wondering whether its reccomended to save up for a channel strip
like a focusrite voicemaster

any feedback on that would be apprecieated
thanks

Rode NT1-A is good if you have a voice channel without something like a Voicemaster I would'nt mess with one as the NT1's have no sound of their own imo.

Focusrite Voicemaster 2 = Straight cop

M-Audio Fast track = NO .... Protools MBox 2/mini/pro = YES

[SKILZIE]

you know yr stuff

easy!

[verbalmc]

so if i got a focusrite channel strip and a rode condenser mic, thats all id need?

[BananaMan]

I have an internal soundcard and a mixer with phantom power..can I get a mic now or is their anything else i need¿

[Retrofreak]

so if i got a focusrite channel strip and a rode condenser mic, thats all id need?

Yeah, once you have the right soundcard interface your good to go.

[Exo]

Holla if anyone wants Mbox 2's £240ono brand new in box unopened. Just register to download the free upgrade to LE 8.

[-Taz-]

So i know that this questions bare n00bish but still. so if i get a mic and that joemeek 3q then how do i connect this all to the computer?

[Retrofreak]

So i know that this questions bare n00bish but still. so if i get a mic and that joemeek 3q then how do i connect this all to the computer?

Mic>>>XLR MicLead>>Joemeek 3Q>>XLR Lead>>Soundcard>>USB/Firewire>>Computer

[-Taz-]

and one more thing, im using adobe audition, and how do i play the beat while im recording vocals. i can only do one at a time?