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I have been trying to improve the vocals sound quality on my recordings. I record the vocals in a spare bedroom, but the vocals come out not as crisp as I would like. I am thinking I need to buy a sound proof booth. Would that help or do I need to sound proof the whole room. The room also has a window. I would appreciate any advice I could get
Ken Mattox
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"crisp" vocals have more to do with your equipment than room treatment.
What mic are you using?
What is your interface? Are you going through a mixer?
Do you run through anything (pre-amp? hardware compressor?) before hitting the recording platform? Is that your computer? or a hard-disk recorder?
How are you processing the vocal in your mix?
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What mic are you using? What is your interface? Are you going through a mixer? How are you processing the vocal in your mix? All are important to consider. The BOLD would have been my first question. Too many immediately add FX/signal processing to vocals. I'd suggest experiment on you next vocal track. Track it DRY....that will tell much about your performance deliverance, staying on pitch, making sure no proximity effect is occurring, etc. That experiment may also tell you how the mic actually works with your voice. You may discover that just a slight bit of EQing will work best in most cases. Also, some instruments may be stepping on or crowding out the vocal frequencies you associate with 'crispness'...just a thought. Hope that helps....
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 05/24/17 07:53 AM.
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I use a blue snowball direct USB into my laptop. I record into Sonar X3 software
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Since you are using a USB mic directly into a laptop, you can easily "test" whether or not buying a vocal booth or room treatment will change anything for you....
Sit in a closet full of clothes (pushed to either side of you).
Or drape a heavy quilt or a couple of blankets over something to make a "tent".
Record something in there. It will be just as effective as an isolation booth.
See if it makes a difference.
From what I've read about your microphone, it doesn't pick up much other than what is RIGHT in front of it. The reviews I read said you have to be pretty close to it to get a full sound. And, not many of the reviews seemed to be from people recording vocals for music. More for podcasts and gaming narratives. (Though there were some who thought it worked well for vocals).
If you are serious about recording music, I'd investigate microphones and spend your money there instead of room treatment or isolation booths. You also might consider the smallest Focusrite interface - which includes nice preamps - though that would mean a different mic - since it won't take a USB mic (I don't think).
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FYI the capsule in Blue Snowball mics is an electret condenser.
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FWIW, we receive a lot of positive comments regarding Janice's consistent vocal sound. Other than that she is a fine singer (I admit to bias) our setup is a decent condenser mic direct to our iMac based DAW via a USB interface. The room is a small workout/computer/music room that is a bit live with four windows...but curtained. We have a slightly quilted table runner hanging down a file cabinet with her mic about a foot from it. That's it. She sings facing the file cabinet  Point being (glad you got there Bud) is that everything floyd pointed about about effects we ditto big time. I think from having recorded vocals off and on since the 60's that the room has become less and less of a factor and processing more and more so. By processing I'm referring specifically to the "right" amount of compression, eq, reverb and delay for the voice and the style song. The plug-ins are a lot cheaper than a room remodel. Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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If you are hearing a 'room' effect (often a certain boxy or reflected sound), then room treatments may help.
Even then, experiment first.
While recording my daughter and a friend one night in her room I picked up on this.
I moved the mic from the room it was in and put it in the hallway outside instead (which opens to a stairwell).
The issue was instantly resolved .. plus I discovered that if I open the other doors beside where the mic sat I got an even clearer signal. These were likely direct side reflections.
Anyway, if this is the case I suggest experimenting a little first, as I found a nice spot for the mic just 8 feet away. And less effort. I've recorded many other tracks there since discovering this.
/The wife needs to be notified in some instances, as answering her phone could ruin a take!
Otherwise if it is actually just 'crispness', a compressor and EQ may indeed help quite a bit.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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In addition to the equipment, and the signal chain, the room itself may be a dead room with lots of high end absorption from carpet, and drapes. Your singing technique can also play a huge factor. You can get crisp and clear recordings i some pretty unlikely places if you know what you're doing and have reasonably decent gear. You don't need top of the line stuff to get decent recordings. But, you do have to know what you're doing.
But enough with the guessing. Post a sample of what you're talking about in this thread. That way we can hear and that can possibly help with some advice that's more targeted to the problem.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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In addition to the equipment, and the signal chain, the room itself may be a dead room with lots of high end absorption from carpet, and drapes. Your singing technique can also play at huge factor. You can get crisp and clear recordings i some pretty unlikely places if you know what you're doing and have reasonably decent gear. You don't need top of the line stuff to get decent recordings. But, you do have to know what you're doing.
But enough with the guessing. Post a sample of what you're talking about in this thread. That way we can hear and that can possibly help with some advice that's more targeted to the problem. Yes please post a sample of what you don't like and a link of what you wished it sounded like
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I use a blue snowball direct USB into my laptop. I record into Sonar X3 software
I don't know what you mean by crisp ut if you use a USB mic you will tend to get a lot of noise.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021
DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine
plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard,
music producer/engineer
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https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i2SG2Buy a good pop filter, and Bob's your uncle. Regards, Bob
Last edited by 90 dB; 05/25/17 08:25 AM.
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Buy a good pop filter, and Bob's your uncle.
Regards,
Bob But, wait, you're Bob. We used to have a chain self storage storage units here called Uncle Bob's. They rebranded as Life Storage, but I liked the name Uncle Bob's better, because, well, easily store your stuff (they even offered a free truck with a unit rental) and Bob's your uncle. Okay, back to on topic now... What they said!
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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That package also includes a cool software bundle and the 2nd Generation Scarlett drivers, that reportedly have really low latency. That interface alone sells for $150. With the package you get a condenser mic, phones, 2 DAWS, and some sweet plugs. A no-brainer.  Regards, Uncle Bob
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I'm stealing your link for another thread.
^^That was your credit/citation for using it. Thanks
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Thanks, I am going to use your ideas.
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There is still risk that your lack of crispness is not equipment related but environment, technique, or signal processing related. Can you post a sample of your non crisp vocals?
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Can't listen right now. Will try later with nice earphones.
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IMHO, the vocals need attention to EQ and compression.
They should stand out and be clear.Use EQ to define them, then Compression to create the focus.
If you need to adjust the EQ on other tracks to accommodate this, do it.
Then re-evaluate.
Like I said; this is just my impression/opinion on first listen. The vocals need their space, and definition.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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