Suggestion on vocal recording?

[diablo_007]

I had made a afew home made music track and consider as awful when come to recording my own vocal.

The accesory and software I use is a $10 Microphone Verbatim and Audacity to edit my own vocal and attach it onto the instrumental beat.

What is the best procedure for me to recording a decent/good quality music?
I know the Mic need to go, but what other software/method/tip should i be looking at remember i only interested recording vocal not making beat or the music/instrumental itself. Also any suggestion on the mic would be helpful.


Any help on this would mean alot to me.
Thx



Below is the link to my music track...

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/9/tarashamusic.htm

[edDV]

Get a real mic and mixer.

Used Radio Shack mixers are cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=23785&item=7323295260&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=101985&item=7322816709&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Use the best vocal mic you can afford. Radio Shack sells adequate ones ~$40.

The rock and TV voice mic standby is the Shure SM-58. You see them 80+% of the time for TV bands. New ~$90 used $50-70
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41465&item=7322696945&rd=1

[diablo_007]

Thank for the above info although what is the benefit of using a mixer? and what exactly the job it do? thx

[soundforbjt]

The mixer's job is taking a signal from the source (microphone in this case), and allowing equalization, effects, etc to be added if desired and then taking the signal and converting it to a clean line-level source to be recorded. It will make a huge difference in the final quality.

[Cornucopia]

Here's what you need for a more "Pro" setup (how good to you want to get?):

1. Microphone & Stand (Good - Shure SM58, Better - EV RE-20,AT-4050, Best - AKG C414, Neumann TLM-170)
2. Pre-amp (many varieties, raises level from Mic-to-Line level)
3. Mixer--only needed if using multiple sources, otherwise Mic Pre does the job (Mackie is good place to start with reasonable $$ and high quality) Most mixers have a number of mic pre's built in.
4. Quiet, sound absorbing area to record in (NOT right next to your PC--too noisy!), therefore...
5. Cables (enough to get the mike away from the PC)
and maybe curtains, baffles, sound absorbing foam, etc.

Note: most pre-amps/mixers have "Pro" line level (+4dBV),not the "Consumer" line level that most sound cards use (-10dBm). This is ~11dB difference (not linear math), which is quite noticeable. Therefore, you'll either need to match your soundcard to the equipment, your equipment to your soundcard, get a Switchable PreAmp/Mixer, or get a converter box.

Minimum outlay for decent quality (not counting ebay finds) ~$150-200 US

Sorry edDV, but IMHO Radio Shack mikes suck a$$!

Scott

[edDV]

Sorry edDV, but IMHO Radio Shack mikes suck a$$!

Scott

I was giving him a starting point on a <$100 budget

A used Radio Shack mixer is probably the cheapest way to bridge a pro mic into a PC audio card.

If he is cash strapped he can start with a cheap mic but IMO, a good SM-58 is a better way to spend initial money than on a $400 Mackie Spike or mixer. He can do that later and resell the RS mixer.
http://www.mackie.com/products/spike/ or
http://www.mackie.com/products/1202vlzpro/index.html

We have to assume ~$100 total budget unless diablo_007 gives us another target. We can optimize to $100, $1000, $10k (Neumann TLM-170 is $6500) as needed.

[revlis]

yeah edDV, i think you're definitely more on the right track here. you can get perfectly good sound with a good radio shack mic (or entry-level pro) and a mixer - any mixer. Diablo, no one has mentioned the fact that you need proper levels, some eq, and compression to get the sound to where you want it. keep your levels below zero, so not to distort - play with some eq, and compress your vocal track. most important: record in a quiet area (a closet full of clothes is great).

[edDV]

Thank for the above info although what is the benefit of using a mixer? and what exactly the job it do? thx

Pro microphones use balanced or unbalanced low impedance 600 Ohm cables (XLR or phone jack connectors). This allows long cable runs with low noise. You can't plug these directly into a PC audio card.

The mixer has several jobs
1. Mic Preamp - impedance matches and amplifies the 600 ohm mic level input.
2. Equalization (like tone controls)
3. Combines signal with other mic or line levels sources
4. Outputs to, in this case, an unbalanced line level for plugging into the line input of your sound card.

[Cornucopia]

yeah edDV, i think you're definitely more on the right track here. you can get perfectly good sound with a good radio shack mic (or entry-level pro) and a mixer - any mixer. Diablo, no one has mentioned the fact that you need proper levels, some eq, and compression to get the sound to where you want it. keep your levels below zero, so not to distort - play with some eq, and compress your vocal track. most important: record in a quiet area (a closet full of clothes is great).

No, you can't. That's like saying you can get perfectly good video from a $399 8mm Handicam. You'll get something, but it won't be something you want to show to anybody besides your family. Same goes with Radio Shack. I use RS all the time, but I'd NEVER use their mikes or mixers for anything I'd want to record for posterity.

I still say you're gonna need to put out ~$200 to get decent sound.
Try this:
ElectroVoice EV-C05 Dynamic Vox Mike = ~$99.00 or
Sennheiser EH25S = ~$129.00 or
Audio Technica Pro4L = ~$69.00

with Kramer KR102MX or Spirit Folio or Behringer Mini mixers = ~$129.00
(they have built in mike pre's)

Scott

[Soopafresh]

Don't forget the Kevin Bacon of mics - the Shure SM57. Less than $80 and oustanding sound for the $

[soundforbjt]

Better yet, call your local music store or sound co. and rent the stuff. Unless you have alot of projects like this in your future.

[edDV]

yeah edDV, i think you're definitely more on the right track here. you can get perfectly good sound with a good radio shack mic (or entry-level pro) and a mixer - any mixer. Diablo, no one has mentioned the fact that you need proper levels, some eq, and compression to get the sound to where you want it. keep your levels below zero, so not to distort - play with some eq, and compress your vocal track. most important: record in a quiet area (a closet full of clothes is great).

No, you can't. That's like saying you can get perfectly good video from a $399 8mm Handicam. You'll get something, but it won't be something you want to show to anybody besides your family. Same goes with Radio Shack. I use RS all the time, but I'd NEVER use their mikes or mixers for anything I'd want to record for posterity.

I still say you're gonna need to put out ~$200 to get decent sound.
Try this:
ElectroVoice EV-C05 Dynamic Vox Mike = ~$99.00 or
Sennheiser EH25S = ~$129.00 or
Audio Technica Pro4L = ~$69.00

with Kramer KR102MX or Spirit Folio or Behringer Mini mixers = ~$129.00
(they have built in mike pre's)

Scott

You won't impress me until you come up with a solution that totals under $100. People just don't go from a $10 computer mic to $200-500 in one step. Don't forget his audio card is probably crap and needs replacement too.

Who knows, diablo_007 may be the next Ray Charles and must be encouraged.

----
OK, I'm impressed. The Behringer Eurorack UB502 fits the budget along with an ebay SM58 mic. That would be a cool starter solution for voiceover.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002L05XY/sr=1-7/qid=1116379333/ref=sr_...ments&v=glance
http://www.music123.com/Behringer-Eurorack-UB502-i111148.music

A nice Mackie mini-rip

[diablo_007]

I'll most strongly be going with edDV's suggestion, for limited cash reason.


I'll be shopping for Shure SM-58 and a mixers today only if the capital available.


Soundcard also playing a role in this too? (I use to think soundcard purpose only serve as Playback not Recording)
Any recommendation on choosing a decent soundcard?


My current soundcard is (Copy from Belarc Advisor - Under Multimedia)

Creative SB Live! Series (WDM)
Creative SBLive! Gameport
Standard Game Port

[edDV]

Your current soundcard analog line in would work fine with the analog output of the UB502. Then get a decent mic.

Later if you want to upgrade to digital mixing something like the Mackie Spike will connect to the computer with USB2. No need to rush to digital for what you are doing.

That Eurorack UB502 is a major bargain.