My Vocals always seem to come out flat!!!
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- KVRist
- 34 posts since 18 Feb, 2005
Can anyone suggest a VST or a technique to give vocals life and presence? See my vocals sound all plain and flat, and I was thinking of using chorus on them to sort of push them back a bit and give them presence and space. But I was wondering if there were any specific type of VST to use or a way to use a specific VST(s)? I use a ART Tube MP Studio amp by the way.
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
I use ART, too. Is yours the Studio V3? If so, try using the electric guitar setting or the presets knob.
Other than that, I have the opposite problem-- my vocals have too much 'cheap condenser mic zing' and I have to de-ess the hell out of them to get them to sit in the mix.
I wonder if it's your microphone rather than the technique or your pre-amp?
Greg
Other than that, I have the opposite problem-- my vocals have too much 'cheap condenser mic zing' and I have to de-ess the hell out of them to get them to sit in the mix.
I wonder if it's your microphone rather than the technique or your pre-amp?
Greg
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 34 posts since 18 Feb, 2005
Could be, bought a mic from radio shack. It was one for $60. a dynamic, perhaps it isnt all that cut out for the job.
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
I think that's your answer right there. Dynamic mics are rarely used for studio vocals, though I hear tell of some people whose voice is spotlighted perfectly with 'just the right' microphone whether it's dynamic or condenser.
But I think you'll discover that even a cheap condenser (the Apex 435 that I use has typical 'cheap-ass condenser' EQ curve) will STILL bring more life to your vocals than the Radio Shack jobbie.
The dynamic's great to have around, too, though, so it's not money wasted if you ALSO get a condenser.
Greg
But I think you'll discover that even a cheap condenser (the Apex 435 that I use has typical 'cheap-ass condenser' EQ curve) will STILL bring more life to your vocals than the Radio Shack jobbie.
The dynamic's great to have around, too, though, so it's not money wasted if you ALSO get a condenser.
Greg
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- KVRist
- 138 posts since 1 Oct, 2004 from Atlanta, GA
I had the same problem here a year or so ago using a Peavey dynamic mic for recording my wife's vocals..it was plugged into a very old Art sge guitar processor just to get some reverb...overall a not so good sound but we at least got some sounds recorded...we now use a Rode NT1-A mic plugged into a PreSonus TubePre and from that into a dbx 266 compressor. This made a huge positive difference over the previous setup. We also used a Marshall MXL 990 and was impressed by this mic also...its very cheap ($69 bucks at musicians friend) alittle on the "crispy" high end but still has a good quality to it for home recording. To hear the Rode mic my wifes music can be found at soundclick.com under the artist name of Valerie Lynn
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- KVRian
- 1222 posts since 6 Jul, 2004
1) Compression, compression, compression!J_A_Starner wrote:Can anyone suggest a VST or a technique to give vocals life and presence? See my vocals sound all plain and flat, and I was thinking of using chorus on them to sort of push them back a bit and give them presence and space. But I was wondering if there were any specific type of VST to use or a way to use a specific VST(s)? I use a ART Tube MP Studio amp by the way.
2) Reverb! (Note: A distinct pre-delay on the reverb, or a separate delay, can thicken the vocals immensely.)
3) EQ!
4) Anyhting else you like!
For the plugins you need, freeware heaven awaits here:
http://www.digitalfishphones.com/main.p ... &subItem=5
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php
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- KVRAF
- 7794 posts since 20 Jul, 2004 from Clearwater
Ever hear the saying 'Garbage in, garbage out'? Not that your vocals are garbage, but I know that mic is. I mean seriously it's a Radio Shack mic...for about another $100 you could grab your self a mic that sounds pro!
http://www.studioprojectsusa.com/
I highly recommend the C1!
You might also want to visit http://www.micguys.com they also feature Studio Project mics. Hope this helps.
Anthony.
http://www.studioprojectsusa.com/
I highly recommend the C1!
You might also want to visit http://www.micguys.com they also feature Studio Project mics. Hope this helps.
Anthony.
Wavsen.com - Professional mix delivery platform with client approval, watermarking, and portfolio page builder.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 34 posts since 18 Feb, 2005
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I plan on buying a whole new set of equipment, from a computer all the way down to a pop screen. I actually considered a condenser mic but due to my present financial situation wasn't able to. Pretty soon I will be though. I'm going to get a new PC and load it with RAM and everything, I plan to get Cubase's System 4 because it's rather cheap and a hell of a deal, and as you know i'm considering a new mic, i'm also gonna buy a few things to get me up a running, such as a MicroKorg to act as my controller/Synth, among some other things. See I have been doing music for about 6 years now, my only problem was that i was your typical loop loving hip hop head. Though I knew bits and pieces (enough to get by) I didn't realize how much power there is in things like Analog synths and all the modular synths and everything. I am taking that journey now though!
P.S. I also plan to get a volin eventually, once I learn how to build my own Soundfont, I'll surely create an extensive preset for everyone here at KVR, but it probably won't be until around Christmas. I ssure you all, you won't be let down, I think musicians should be given a break when it comes to the unfathomable amount of money they spend on sample collections.
P.S. I also plan to get a volin eventually, once I learn how to build my own Soundfont, I'll surely create an extensive preset for everyone here at KVR, but it probably won't be until around Christmas. I ssure you all, you won't be let down, I think musicians should be given a break when it comes to the unfathomable amount of money they spend on sample collections.
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- Banned
- 12367 posts since 30 Apr, 2002 from i might peeramid
before you buy more gear could also be the "i've been lsitening to myself since forever" phenomenon..
i use a rode nt1 and an oktava mc 012-01 (edit: with orginal art tube mp) which vary widely in build quality i'm told.. mine is supercrisp.. much more 'direct, electronic' sound than the rode, which is imo 'like listening thru a 1" hole in the wall' - hifi but "i can hear the width of the element" colouration
http://www.xoxos.net/hiphop.mp3
the ogb stuf (after the 1/2way point) is the oktava
just about everythnig else is for comparison a cheap rat shack mic from ~88 (eg. flo and last ogb segment)
i use a rode nt1 and an oktava mc 012-01 (edit: with orginal art tube mp) which vary widely in build quality i'm told.. mine is supercrisp.. much more 'direct, electronic' sound than the rode, which is imo 'like listening thru a 1" hole in the wall' - hifi but "i can hear the width of the element" colouration
http://www.xoxos.net/hiphop.mp3
the ogb stuf (after the 1/2way point) is the oktava
just about everythnig else is for comparison a cheap rat shack mic from ~88 (eg. flo and last ogb segment)
you come and go, you come and go. amitabha neither a follower nor a leader be tagore "where roads are made i lose my way" where there is certainty, consideration is absent.