Mixing Question: Please Help Me

[CarlosM]

Hi, I've been recording for a while now, and today I bought a small mixer (just one output) and a shure sm58 mic. I was hoping the problem I had with the other mics I used (the ones I directly plugged into the computer) would disappear, but it's still there The only thing that's better is that there's no noise now. But anyway, my problem is that everytime I record, it's really hard to get the "right" effect to my vocals, they never seem to blend with the instrumental unless I add a massive amount of echo ("Rhythmic Tableslap" from Cool Edit Pro). When I do, it does blend better, but it still doesn't sound like recorded in a studio. Here's a clip of me singing, and then another person singing the same song (but with the studio effect I'd like to have in my vocals):

Direct Link: http://galeon.com/evolutionxmen/question.mp3
Rapidshare: http://rapidshare.com/files/8747908/question.mp3.html

How do I get that quality and clarity of the vocals? I use Cool Edit Pro, is there a plugin that will do that for me? Do I need a new soundcard? Please help me Because I spent nearly 200 dollars today for the mic and the mixer and really would like to notice an improvement. Thanks in andvance.

[CarlosM]

Oh, and by the way, I have the Shure SM58 connected to the mixer, and the output from the mixer goes to the computer. I only use the mixer to send signal from the mic into the pc and then mix it with the instrumental base in Cool Edit.

[brandondrury]

There are a few things that spring to mind here.

#1 I didn't think your vocal sounded bad. I could mix with that and make it work in a song and make it work well using a few tricks. It would not be a carbon copy of the vocal sound from the reference you played, but I'll bet you that this artist / group sounds different on every single song and even more different from album to album.

I personally don't like the idea of cloning another artists sound. Why? It's not for ethical reasons. I steal from other music constantly. It's because the whole process is flawed when you are trying to live up to some sort of "standard". That is not what making music is. Imagine you are at a painting class and the teacher says "Today is a free day. Paint whatever you feel". There will be the real creators who will start painting and forget that anyone else is even in the room. Then there will be those who are looking over everyone's shoulder to see what they are doing. They are painting based on insecurity.

So don't let your recording be based on insecurity.

Now with that said, let's just say you wanted to capture a sound that was more like what you heard.

Assuming that you are on a budget (because you complained about spending $200) I would work more on getting the tone you arle ooking for with the mic you have. The Shure SM58 is hypercardiod, if memory serves me. I know it is at least cardiod, so that means it has a strong proximity effect. Backing off the mic will pull the low end out considerably. So try singing at 3", 6", 12", 18", and 24" and listen to the results. The differences will be staggering.



#2 You can always use EQ to get closer to where you want to be. You can take it too far, but a subtle amount can go a long way towards getting the sound in your head. I'd pull 2dB out of the low mids. It may be anywhere between 200-600Hz. Play around with boosting and cutting all the frequencies in your voice. Use drastic settings to learn what each frequency does, but in the end, I'd be hesitant to use more than 2dB of cut or boost.

#3 A trick I use a lot is duplicating the finished vocal track, cutting everything under 2Khz or so on the new track and compressing the hell out of it. This will have nothing but high end in it, but if blended properly can make a track really have that top end air you are looking for.

#4 If an artist required the tone you are looking for, the Shure SM58 would not be my first choice. A cheap little mixer would not be my first preamps choice either.

On a budget, I'd probably grab the MXL V69 condenser mic but there are options that cost 10x as much. I'd also want a high end preamp for this sound as well. You are trying to get an expensive vocal sound with cheap gear. It can be done but it requires creativity.

Brandon