Vocals

[Michaelv1143]

Hey I'm new here and searched the forum as much as possible so if this has been asked already sorry. lol. So i have had garageband for about 2 months and i have a macbook and i love it! I have a MXL condenser microphone that i record vocals with for songs and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as how to make te vocals sound as close to an actual cd. the vocals now have too much bass and i tried taking it out a little but it just sounds a little odd. any suggestions? thanks!

[toots]

Asking how to make your recording sound like an actual CD is a sort of broad question. If you posted an example or a clip of what you have recorded so far, that would be helpful. Also MXL makes all different types of mics and if you listed the model that would also be helpful. Most likely you will have to work with Garageband for more than 2 months to sound like a commercially released CD. There are all different types of CDs out there...what artists do you like?

Sometimes it's a combination of gear that makes the difference, sometimes it's the post-production way you apply effects that helps shape the sound. I tend to think that if you capture a good signal going in, that is much easier than trying compensate for a bad sound later on in the mix. You could also go to a site like this one or this one for more info on home recording. They aren't particularly Garageband-centric, but they have all sorts of helpful tips on how you capture the sound you have in your head.

[madduane]

pm a-comin' yer way Mr. Jim

[Michaelv1143]

oh hey sorry umm the model is MXL 990-USB Powered Condenser Microphone and the only thing im wondering is when i listen to vocals on a professional cd i dont know how to explain it but the vocals sounds light and are so thick. I wanted to know if there was any combination to give it enough reverb and make the vocals sound lighter. Ill try posting actual audio in a little bit.

[toots]

Well, not to say that the secret of a professional sounding recording is great gear, but you will find that that is often the case. A condenser microphone that inputs via USB means that it doesn't have the kind of warmth that a tube preamp can give you. A professional recording usually uses a decent mic preamp; that will give that thickness that you are hearing. The lightness you refer to might be because a more expensive mic might have a more sensitive element in it, and a good professional studio will spare no expense in a usually costly collection of great mics. MXL makes very good value economical mics but they may sacrifice a bit of fidelity in their pursuit of economy. But it's hard to say, there are all different types of music, and I still don't know what kind of professional music you are referring to. Is it sensitive singer-songwriter type stuff or hard rock? You might want to experiment with different mics, if you can afford to. Maybe that MXL 990 is not the right mic for your voice.

The other thing the professionals have is years of experience. Unfortunately there is no substitute for that. Keep at it and you will get there. Try different things and use your ears.
In terms of settings in GB you could use on your vocals, it really does depend on the type of music you are making. For example I usually tend to record the vocals in my own type of singer-songwriter music using just the Live Performance vocal setting in GB. I find the less I tweak the better. But of course it always depends on what is surrounding the vocals, so giving any sort of tips without knowing the context will have almost no value. If I was going to give any advice, if you want to adjust the EQ to take out the bass, use the AU Graphic EQ (set on 31 bands) and use a gentle downward slope to cut the bands below 40 Hz to clear out some of those frequencies that muddy up the sound. Maybe slightly boost some of the higher frequencies around 2.5 kHz. but I'm just guessing, you have to take everything in context.

[Michaelv1143]

wow that was great advice thanks! i tried and it does sound a lot better!

[cStu]

An interesting approach to recording vocals with reference to Depth of Field and stereo image

[kilroydegeek]

<img src="http://sonicbirth.sourceforge.net/img/plgn/Valve_warmer.jpg" align="right">One of the BEST vocal compressors I've come across is Valve Warmer, an AU effect that comes with the Sonic Birth package of AU effects and AU development system.

A combination of the "Clear Vocals" setting on the Visual EQ and Valve Warmer tweaked to taste might be the starting point you're looking for.

[Michaelv1143]

I have continued to try to edit my vocals to make them sound clear but they still dont sound right. Without it being edited it has a lot of base and what i meant by CD quality is to have really light crisp vocals. I have continued to try to edit it by using the equalizer and to reduce bass but when i say anything with an "s" it makes this static sound. I will try to upload a clip of what it sounds like and what i want it to sound like in a little bit. Also how do you master a track? just by using the "mester track" option?

[toots]

Here is a good place to start about mastering.

Here is a tutorial about recording vocals

[GuitarPix]

Just a thought - but how close to the mic are you singing? Cardioid mics (which is what I believe the MXL to be) pick up more bass frequencies the closer you get to it.

Try moving back a bit, an extra 6 or 8 inches should do.

If you're getting too much room ambiance, you'll need to hang up some stuff to cut down sound reflections from the walls.