Recording help

[beandip]

I've been using a samson USB mic to record acoustic/vocals. I'm having some trouble with the sound of the vocals. The guitar sounds awesome, the vocals are in tune and if I could just get them to quit doing what I'm about to say, it'd be great.

They sound echo-ey and way far off. I don't get it. I don't know how to fix it either. I can't very well hang it from a string and sing into it (can I?). I want them to be clean and clear...they're part of the background at the moment, and I don't like it.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Recording help

Post a quick clip and I'll take a listen. I do quite a bit of recording, maybe I can offer some insight.

 

[beandip]

Re: Recording help

www.soundclick.com/SordidTales

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Recording help

They sound echo-ey and way far off. I don't get it. I don't know how to fix it either. I can't very well hang it from a string and sing into it (can I?). I want them to be clean and clear...they're part of the background at the moment, and I don't like it.

Yes! Why not?!
How close to the mic are you?Are you within a six inch range?Are you singing fairly directly at it it?Also,How strong is the recording signal?Are you peaking within/near 0-VU range

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Recording help

i listened to it earlier. as far as the vocals go, i think you might be getting some slapback from the room you're in. try putting up some blankets, sheets, or anything that would muffle hard surfaces onto your walls, it might help a bit. i dig your acoustic guitar tone though:fing2:

 

[J Moose]

Re: Recording help

It sounds like the mic is on the other side of the room.

Try hanging it about a foot, foot and a half from your face, angled down towards the guitar. Use that as a starting point and adjust from there. Angle down more, up more... slightly closer but probably no further. Try and get the recording level up too... seems really low, but its the interknot, so...

Might also want to try deadening the room. I use packing blankets draped over mic stands as portable gobos. They really work...

Good song & performance too. That's 80% of the battle right there...

 

[beandip]

Re: Recording help

That's just it. The Mic is about a foot from my face, but I don't know how to get rid of the echo sound. I record in the bathroom, since it's given me the best results so far, but I will try the deadening the room thing.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Recording help

That's just it. The Mic is about a foot from my face, but I don't know how to get rid of the echo sound. I record in the bathroom, since it's given me the best results so far, but I will try the deadening the room thing.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Ha! Mystery solved. The bathroom is 100% at fault - nothing but hard surfaces. That's where your echo is coming from.

You should either record vocals in a different room, or hang some blankets on the walls.

 

[beandip]

Re: Recording help

Oh, well I guess I'm a tard. No more recording in there I suppose. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Recording help

^not neccissarily, the guitar sounded great. you just have to record separately now

 

[beandip]

Re: Recording help

Can't do it. I can't sing on time and key without guitar, and I can't play a song correctly without vocals. I'm gonna see if I can try and record two tracks, one meant for guitar with my vocals vary faint, and go over the track again with no guitar and do the vocals. We'll see how it turns out.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Recording help

Can't do it. I can't sing on time and key without guitar, and I can't play a song correctly without vocals. I'm gonna see if I can try and record two tracks, one meant for guitar with my vocals vary faint, and go over the track again with no guitar and do the vocals. We'll see how it turns out.

Are you using one mic to capture everything at once?

 

[beandip]

Re: Recording help

Are you using one mic to capture everything at once?

Yeah, it's all I have. The Samson C01U. I don't have professional recording equipment, so I'm not expecting clean, high end results, but I would like a little more clarity in the vocals. I guess tomorrow night I'm going to try and lay down separate trcks. I don't have time today, gotta go bounce in an hour.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Recording help

Yeah, it's all I have. The Samson C01U. I don't have professional recording equipment, so I'm not expecting clean, high end results, but I would like a little more clarity in the vocals. I guess tomorrow night I'm going to try and lay down separate trcks. I don't have time today, gotta go bounce in an hour.

Maybe it's just something you need to practice and get used to. Try "singing" in your head while playing the guitar.

Good luck.

 

[Invader09]

Re: Recording help

try hardwood walls, and flooring. It will really make a hige difference, promised !

 

[beandip]

Re: Recording help

try hardwood walls, and flooring. It will really make a hige difference, promised !

That may be, but I'm pretty sure my wife and my apartment complex would be pretty pissed if I started ripping out carpet and throwing oak on the walls.

 

[Karmadog777]

Re: Recording help

oh man I just posted to your other thread then saw this one, as usual my tastes are over-ruled my the masses(thats fine by me,I know what I like)

I really like the way that song turned out,lol i even commented on your"reverb" no wonder it sounded "right" , its natural,.. Im a fan of live music and dislike over production. Bathroom concerts have a special place in my love for music.
Keep it up!