Issues Recording Voice using Audacity and/or Abelton Live Lite

[TheMachoBrochacho]

How's it going, fellas?

For my vocal sessions (usually speaking) I'm currently using a Focusrite 2i2 and a Boya PVM-1000 mic. The interface is plugged directly into my laptop.

I have my Youtube channel going and all, but the audio is trash when I'm in my "studio" recording. I have gone through many searches when using Audacity. "normalize sound", "bass and treble", "compression". The audio still comes out SUPER "tinny" and "digital" sounding. I'm trying to find a solution.

Having had watched tutorials on Abelton LL, I just can't wrap my mind around it yet. I try little by little, but I would rather use Audacity if I could just get it to edit my recording sufficiently.

Anything that y'all need further, please let me know. I hope to be able to offer knowledge to you guys and gals in the future as well!

 

[pcrecord]

Hi and welcome to RO MachoBro
Usually you don't have to normalise the audio. Your goal is to get healthy level coming in from the mic and interface.
A healthy recording level in 24bit 44khz up to 96khz is having peaks not higher than -10db and an average of -18db.
If your recordings are way lower in volume at with the gain setting on your interface around 75%. This mean that either the mic is defective, the cable or the phantom power isn't working properly.
Of course the Boya, isn't that excellent quality wise.. but it doesn't mean it should work.

Try another mic, another cable first..

On a second note, your room is very lively... a couple of acoustic panels could reduce the internal reverb and get you better results. (search for DIY bass traps)

 

[TheMachoBrochacho]

Hi and welcome to RO MachoBro
Usually you don't have to normalise the audio. Your goal is to get healthy level coming in from the mic and interface.
A healthy recording level in 24bit 44khz up to 96khz is having peaks not higher than -10db and an average of -18db.
If your recordings are way lower in volume at with the gain setting on your interface around 75%. This mean that either the mic is defective, the cable or the phantom power isn't working properly.
Of course the Boya, isn't that excellent quality wise.. but it doesn't mean it should work.

Try another mic, another cable first..

On a second note, your room is very lively... a couple of acoustic panels could reduce the internal reverb and get you better results. (search for DIY bass traps)

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, my room office here has the desk, surfboards, laptop... i mean, it's pretty bare otherwise. So, Acoustic foam then?

 

[Boswell]

In Audacity, check that you have "Software playthrough" unchecked. It's in Edit->Preferences->Recording

If you need to hear yourself in your phones, use the Monitor knob on the 2i2.

 

[pcrecord]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, my room office here has the desk, surfboards, laptop... i mean, it's pretty bare otherwise. So, Acoustic foam then?

No acoustic foam only affect high frequencies and it will mostly unbalance the room frequencies.
Of course, if you only do gaming and zoom meetings that's ok.. foam will reduce a bit of room reverb..
But for recording voice over or musical instruments, you better use bass traps.. Usually 3 or 4 inches thick rockwool or similar.