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Hello there, Thanks for taking some time to read this.

I'm having some trouble with my Vocal Recordings. to make this a little bit easier I'm going to write down what my Set up looks like.

Sound Card/Interfase: Emu1820.
CPU: PC 3.0ghz, 1Gb Ram, 200Gb HD.
Software: Nuendo 3.1 and Also Cubase SE
Vocal Mic: Shure KSM44

Mostly what I do is record the vocals without any kind of effects; sometimes I might use a little bit of compression. When I'm mastering the vocal tracks I can't get them so sound how I want them to. In my opinion I think it might be a reverb, the Eq or the compression (3:1) Or all of them; Hehehehehe.

Heres a song I recorded, the mixing isn't that good. its just a preview but focus on the vocals. and tell me what would you change. mastering wise.

http://www.freakstudios.com/GoneAway.mp3

I Hope you dont have much trouble understanding my english, it's not my native langauge but I do my best.

Pd: I Think theres too much reverb on the vocals. I really want to hear them more "present", upfront but clean. maybe someone can help me out with an Eq idea.

Thanks.

Pablo Dominguez
Freak Studios.

Comments

RemyRAD Tue, 08/08/2006 - 09:41

Again this comes down to one's own perceptions. I was so pleasantly impressed with your work that I listened to your recording 4 times!

The song starts with a lovely low soft intro. The song then becomes more dreamy sounding. When the main vocal started, I thought it sounded loving and sincere with a smooth sheen on it. A little proximity effect provided for a warmer tone along with its associated deep reverb which I think imparts a greater sense of sincerity since I feel it evokes a greater sense of deep thought to be perceived.

The background vocals I believe were more clean than they need to be? Maybe a little flanging reverb echoes panned to center that takes the choral thought as the effect trails to the center thought of the mind?

Instrumentally speaking, I thought that the snare drum was a little too crispy? Making it fatter, with a little EQ and limiting might be nice? The bass drum was clear and well defined but lacked that extra little low-end bump in the body of the song that I thought would have better underlined the bass line? It got that little extra bump towards the end of the song however.

Otherwise one of the nicest sounding recordings and mix' posted here.

I'm so sorry I no habla Espanol'. Although I seem to have no problems at Taco Bell?
Ms. Remy Ann David

anonymous Tue, 08/08/2006 - 12:25

Thanks for the comment Ms. Remy.

Im really not worried about the drum line right now because i made a little Midi for that. in a few weeks ill be recording the real thing. I really know what you mean hehehehe that snare drum sounds really bad.

Thank you again for your comment and listening to it now I think the bass line needs some boost like you said :)

Pd: Loved your comment. very thoughtful

JoeH Thu, 08/17/2006 - 21:40

Pablo, I'll just comment on what I liked about your track. I"m with Remy on this; it's very nice. (From your description I was expecting much worse.)

I like the overall vibe of the track, and I too would punch up the low end a bit in terms of the drums. (Bass seems ok, or whatever the lower guitar tones are...?)

I can never tell too much from MP3's, but at first guess I would suggest a little top end overall on your vocal. But not much; just a little sparkle, from what I'm hearing on the MP3.

As for your English and writing skills, let me commend you on your ability to communicate in writing. I would probably have never known otherwise, and if I may point out, I'm generally appalled at the low level of writing skills on here from people who SHOULD know better. It's embarassing.

I don't usually pick on the bad writers for fear of being accused of making fun of a non-English speaking person. And THEN I find out it's some slacker from the USA who can't spell, type, or form a complete sentence. Then they get all defensive and act like it's not important to communicate properly here....on a professional forum!

Anyway, not to hijack this thread; keep up the great work, I'd like to hear this again when you get it to the point where you want to share it with the online world again. Seriously, I think you're on the right path with this. Use your instincts, and go for it.

8-)