Shock Mount & EQs

[voicepix]

Hi, I'm a newbie to home recording, but have been a VO talent for many years. Anyway, I just purchased an Se USB2200a mic and it comes with a "C" mount. The standard 2200a comes with an elastic shock mount. How important is it to use the elastic vs C-type?

Also, in Audacity there are a whole slew of EQ presets like RIAA, NAB etc. Most of these seem to amplify base and lower the high end. What are these settings for and why would I use one on a standard VO track or not ?

I am not real happy with the sound I am getting in a fairly large room using a pop screen...it seems pretty thin and a bit hollow compared to the smooth dulcet tones I have when I record at a professional studio. What sort of post processing should I use after laying down a track?

Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated.

[audiomike242]

a shock mount will just keep low rumble out of the mic. like foot steps or anything that creates vibrations. shock mounts are pretty standard but if your just doing home stuff it should be fine.

i wouldn't use presets for anything. they might give you an idea of what kind of eq is usually used on some sources but you cant depend on them. room, mic, and instrument change the way you eq somthing.

usually on vocals u can roll off the stuff around 200hz and below. 1-2khz will give u some presence and de-ess anything from 4-8khz if your "S" sounds come through to sharp. just use the seek and destroy method.

it may be sounding thin because of the mic. you said its USB so i don't know how great the converters are in the mic. that could be your biggest problem.

[voicepix]

OK...you said "de-ess anything from 4-8khz if your "S" sounds come through to sharp. just use the seek and destroy method."

Is there a De-esser built into audacity? And what is the seek and destroy method?

Several supposedly knowledgeable people specifically recommended the USB2200a because of it's superior USB interface. I also have access to a GearBox interface and wonder if that would work better using a standard mic cord to the mic input?

[audiomike242]

Originally Posted by voicepix

Is there a De-esser built into audacity?

im not sure but u can just use a normal eq. its the same thing.

Originally Posted by voicepix

And what is the seek and destroy method?

boost a sharp band all the way up and sweep through the frequencies till u find the ugly ones. use a sharper bandwidth to cut and a wide one to boost freq. only slightly.

Originally Posted by voicepix

Several supposedly knowledgeable people specifically recommended the USB2200a because of it's superior USB interface. I also have access to a GearBox interface and wonder if that would work better using a standard mic cord to the mic input?

I have some SE mics and i believe they have good products, ive just never used that specific mic so i thought id maybe throw out the idea that the converters maybe not up to your usual standards. you can try the gearbox. just try a bunch of things till you get the sound you like. if you had just an analog mic you would have much more control over your sound (being able to choose among all hardware mic pres, comps, and eq's)