JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Recording Studio and Gear Forum recording voice - better...

Hi flo,

I agree with Jody that a good mic can make a huge difference in the quality, but I won't necessarily agree that spending more gets you something better. There are amazingly good mics available now for under $500, whereas only a few years ago you would have had to spend at least $2000 for similar quality. You might even be surprised at what $300 can buy you today in a decent mic - it won't be world-class, but it will sound very good.

I've recently read of some well-known producers choosing a $500 mic over a $5000 mic because it DID fit the singer better - for that song. There are also several recent examples of final vocal tracks done using a simple SM58, although usually they used that mic not because it was the best for the singer, but because the singer liked to run around the room and bash things while singing .

The way I look at it is from the "weakest link" aspect. I'm confused as to what you're using. Technically, there is no such thing as a 4-track DAT as ALL DATs are 2-track stereo (or occasionally with a 3rd track for timecode only).

If you are using a 4-track cassette format, there are some inherent sound quality problems with that format that will always make it sound like a demo (although there are a handful of major label albums that have been made STARTING with that format - but nothing very recent). It just isn't punchy or full-sounding, it doesn't have much frequency range above about 12K and you will usually have DBX or Dolby C compression on it (or a lot of tape hiss if you don't). I know, I used a 4-track cassette for several years and it was always a struggle to get something punchy and full-sounding out of it. The mixes always just sounded "small".

If you have a 4-track digital "pocket recorder" or similar, then there are some things you can do there to improve the sound quality, but I'd have to know more info first.

Additionally, the sound quality of the samples or other sounds you use can make a big difference in the overall perceived quality - as well as (of course) your arrangement.

Another factor which makes a big difference on vocal tracks is the preamp you're using. I know of NO 4-track cassette-type recorder that has even a "decent" built-in preamp. It's ok if you just want quick demos or as a scratch pad, but when I had my 4-track and upgraded to an external preamp, it raised the quality tremendously.

Another factor is the room you're recording in. If you have a "boxy" room or an overly reflective room, you have some inherent difficulties to overcome right there. They CAN be overcome and usually you can minimize these problems very inexpensively.

Finally, Jody mentioned EQ and using it on a vocal. With an ideal mic and an ideal mix, you should have to use very minimal EQ (bass/treble, etc). Real world situations rarely provide that kind of ideal environment, so the practicalities are that you'll need to do some sort of EQ'ing to make the vocal "sit in the mix" properly.

Probably the least professional mixes I've heard are drenched in either too much reverb, or just the wrong kind of reverb. Cheap reverb units just sound cheap and there's not much you can do there. However, decent reverbs start at only around $200 now days and are better than $1000 reverbs of only a couple of years ago. Upgrading my reverb units also made a huge difference in the overall sound quality of the mix.

Well, that's my take on the various aspects of improving the sound quality. Obviously, musicianship and song craftsmanship are more important than any single piece of equipment, but having good recording TECHNIQUES also goes a long way to making your finished product a lot more professional sounding.

Jody had a very good tip on just doing it in a lot of different situations and types of songs - and trying to improve it each time. It's NOT easy creating a professional-sounding mix. It takes good equipment PLUS experience in knowing how to capture or select sounds and mix them. It's a combination that can't be learned in a few weeks or even months. The best mixers and producers have spent years honing their skills and they make it look easy - just like that figure skater who effortlessly glides around, spins, and does acrobatic tricks that would probably maim me if I tried. <g>

If you want to email me with a link to the song (or even just email me an mp3 of it), I'll give it a listen. You've been a great contributor to the forum and I'd be willing to give you some tips on your song. If you just want to post a link to it here, that would also be ok.

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Larry
www.audibleresponse.com


[This message has been edited by Lwilliam (edited 04-16-2003).]