Vocal recording Beginner

[dmmi]

Hi.....I've done my searches, and can't find a direct answer.

I'll be recording vocals for the first time (in a LONG time) this weekend, and I understand there are a lot of factors for EQ and effects that depend on the situation.....

But I'm looking for advise on a good starting point. Last night I set up my vocal input....sent raw signal to Cakewalk Sonitus Compressor bus and Cakewalk Sonitus reverb bus both on default setting (sounded the best).

The dry vocal channel was routed to Master, along with the Comp and Reverb, and I was having problems getting decent levels, I'm assuming maybe I shouldn't mix in the Dry? I don't know.

EQ was flat (I see this as more of the situation dependent type thing)

So can anyone give me some more advice, comments, suggestions, please!

Is this a good starting point or should I do something else?

Also vocalist is not that experienced.....so I'm thinking the better I can make him sound, the more comfortable he'll be.

Thx!

[garww]

I tend to avoid as much processing as possible on the input and concentrate on a strong signal.

[dmmi]

Thanks for the input

I only have the effects routed from the dry signal to a bus for each:
- Compressor
- Reverb
- Doubler

I don't plan on recording a processed signal, I'm trying to get the best sound into the headphones as possible, and something doesn't seem quite right.

Also whatever I mix into the phones gives me a feel for the same principles I might be using in the final mix, so any insight here is a great help

Any one have any set ups they start with?

[bozmillar]

Originally Posted by dmmi

I was having problems getting decent levels, I'm assuming maybe I shouldn't mix in the Dry? I don't know.

What do you mean by descent levels? Are they not loud enough? or do the vocals sometimes seem to loud and other times too quiet? Or are they loud and overpowering but not cutting through?

[dmmi]

Mr Bozmiller....Thanks for your help.....

I'll be recording A new age metal type style so Screaming/roaring verses with melodic "singing" Choruses. So there is some serious dynamic range to deal with.....but to do it properly I'm pretty sure I have to record a compressed signal just to get a decent take (around -12db and 2:1 or even 3:1)?

But even when I do this the vocal input channel to be recorded has about 50% max level between 0db. I'm using Sonar as my Seq. and I can't remember the actual scale of the meters so I mean 50% between nothing and 0db is the max when I scream approx 1 foot away from mic.....and the "singing" is even less....so Maybe more compression?

Then I have the buses mentioned earlier to apply sends to the compressed then dry vocal signal to obtain a headphone mix that'll sound killer to give some encouragement to the vocalist.

Basically What I'm asking is this the right approach.....when I say things are not quite right I really don't know what to compare too, so I don't know if their right....so.....If you were presented this task:

- Record a New Age metal singer for the first time

Where would YOU start?....you know just as some tips or advise.

Thanks

[bozmillar]

forget about the reverb, eq and compression settings for now. Compression and eq settings have zero meaning when you don't have any audio to apply it to.

When recording anything, the first thing you need to do is get your preamp set to the right level. if you hit the monitor button, you will be able to see exactly how loud the your audio is hitting your A/D converter. If it's showing up too low, just turn up your preamp until it is a healthy level.

[dmmi]

OK....I really appreciate your help....and respect the fact that you can calmly explain an elementary principle! (many people can't do that)

But I don't think you understand that I'm beyond that point, and I'm really sorry if I didn't explain properly.

I'm using a Fast Track Ultra as Phantom and pre-amp. I've set the levels first, and they are the best I can get with the dynamic range I'd expect.

I want to be clear that the recorded level WILL be dry.....all effects are on an effects bus and "sent" from the dry signal. Then the effects busses are sent to outputs 3&4 (Second Stereo pair) on the Fast Track Ultra Interface. This signal I use as a headphone cue into a presonus monitor station.

Please understand that I'm not recording wet!

BUT........I'm thinking I should put some compression on the input to get better levels?

AND......I need some help on the effects busses to get better sound in the headphones

ALSO.......whatever I do to the buses, I've set up so I just have to change the output from outputs 3&4 (second stereo Pair) to Outputs 1&2 (Master) when mixing down.....Why do things twice right?

Having said that....what ever I mix for headphones only CAN be easily put into the final mix.

SO if anyone can give some pointers......please just tell me your initial setup, then some common mixdown setups that I can apply to the busses?

I understand this may be giving away some tested secrets, and I understand if many of you have those guarded....

.......just throw me a bone already!

Thanks!

[bozmillar]

oh ok, I think I see. But I still don't understand what you mean by "better" levels.

[garww]

ya, some people can get away with mixing while recording. But I can't : ) I can only handle one thing at a time !!

[brandondrury]

I've got the perfect thing for you if you can catch it in time.

THIS is what you need.

I'm not just trying to be jerk pushing my own products....well, I kind of am. However, I busted my tail for 2 years on solving the EXACT problems you are facing right now!

Order Killer Home Recording

Brandon