Need proffesional help!!

[tobben24]

Hi!

Me and my band har having good question about recording vocals for you out there...

We've got a homestudio with an average condenser microfone, a pretty good soundcard & are using Sonar4. The sound quality on the recordings a really good, men we don't get that real good & warm sound that you hear the real boys have... How do you get that sound!?

Another problem is when our vocalist is when he sings, he sings really lound on the high tone, and really "quiet" on the low tones...it's probably normal, but how can we get the volume like the normal all the way, like professionals?

Is there any vst plug-ins that can solve our problems? Or do we need expensive hardware?

We'd be really happy for any helpful answers!

- Tobben -

[lfm]

Here are some good tips on recording vocals:
http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/index.html

About smooth sounding vocals test some dubbing as well. It will sound more powerful as well as smoother.

And to the problem with different levels on voice there are two things:

a) Singer should adjust distance to mike when he knows he is louder. You see this all the time how a singer adjust distance depending on loudness.

b) Use a compressor that will even out differences that are left.

[Alan]

Hi!

We've got a homestudio with an average condenser microfone, a pretty good soundcard & are using Sonar4. The sound quality on the recordings a really good, men we don't get that real good & warm sound that you hear the real boys have... How do you get that sound!?

Quality mic preamp=quality mic=quality vocalist.Start with the mic pre and work on the rest,if your on a budget,consider the RNP(FMR Audio) preamp
(under $200)

Another problem is when our vocalist is when he sings, he sings really lound on the high tone, and really "quiet" on the low tones...it's probably normal, but how can we get the volume like the normal all the way, like professionals?

Is there any vst plug-ins that can solve our problems? Or do we need expensive hardware?

Not neccessarily expensive(even a budget Behringer will suffice),but you might need a hardware limiter for that.Plugins will only affect the signal after it's recorded which wont remove clipping.If your not clipping then a compressor plugin could be your answer.

[Torben]

Download this and try the "Fat Vocal" preset:
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/gac-1.php

Isn't that what you are looking for?

Torben

[Henke]

Try automating the volume on the vocal-track, to even out the biggest differences, before it goes into the compressor.

[cptgone]

If you go down the software road, try Voxengo Voxformer (a complete vocal channel strip) - highly recommended!

[tobben24]

Try automating the volume on the vocal-track, to even out the biggest differences, before it goes into the compressor.

Automating? How do I do that?

[cptgone]

Try automating the volume on the vocal-track, to even out the biggest differences, before it goes into the compressor.

Automating? How do I do that?

Depends on your host

[tobben24]

Try automating the volume on the vocal-track, to even out the biggest differences, before it goes into the compressor.

Automating? How do I do that?

Depends on your host

Well...I sonar4 for recording.. If you don't know how to use this...do you hot any recomandations?

Oh..thanx for the other replies guys! Really helpful!

[cptgone]

Sorry, I don't know Sonar, maybe you could look up "automation" in it's manual?

[tobben24]

Sorry, I don't know Sonar, maybe you could look up "automation" in it's manual?

Will do Thanx!

[pilgrim_heart]

I second the importance of automation. Automate the really problematic parts and then use a compressor as a soundshaping device.

A few more things:
* I like adding a little stereo delay, around 250 ms or so with maybe 30-40 ms difference between L and R, no feedback and mixed in really low. To my ears this adds a little sense of space that is hard to get with just reverb.
* Try using reverb to fatten the sound, with short reverbation times and low mixing this can sometimes make things seem a little bigger without really sounding as reverb in the more usual sense. I've experimented a bit with using the pianoverb in this manner and this seems to work great but I've yet to really use it in a mix.

[PeterL]

Download this and try the "Fat Vocal" preset:
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/gac-1.php

Isn't that what you are looking for?

Torben

I would have suggested the same.
Or you could use ClassicCompressor and read the tips for vocals here:
ClassicCompressor

[Spaceman Sounds]

Damn clever eq'ing, making space for each sound.... and compression are the key ingrediants. If you're recording a lot from mic's make sure your room isn't colouring the sound. Put a few mattresses up in the room and duvets to deaden the room.

[C00kie]

Another problem is when our vocalist is when he sings, he sings really lound on the high tone, and really "quiet" on the low tones...it's probably normal, but how can we get the volume like the normal all the way, like professionals?

He needs to patch up his mike-singing technique!! Close-by on soft parts, further away on loud parts. You see it all the time on TV, a singer moving the mike away when a really loud tone is sung. That's the poor-mans compressor: no hardware, nor a VST