Hi I've been wanting to record a decent little CD but I just can't get the right adjustments nor knowledge on how to use the equipment that I have. I have a very meager and small studio but I'd sure like to know how the get the best out of it. I use a Boss BR-8 8 track digital recording studio, a Shure KSM-32 condenser mic, a Shure sm-94 condenser mic, Edirol MA-10D Powered studio monitors, and of course phantom power for the mics. I was thinking of buying a dbx 166 compressor/limiter for the vocals since I seem to get distorted when recording at a louder volume (although the BR-8 studio has a compressor but probably not the best). Also, maybe buying an Aphex 204 exciter but I don't see why if my setup doesn't even allow it.
Does anyone have any suggestions on equipment I should buy especially a tutorial online on how to use it? Or is what I have now good enough? I've been wanting those Roland 24 track workstations, but I hear that recording onto a computer is better?
Well my main question is how I can record a good sounding recording with the equipment that I have? I'm a mariachi musician and I use the acoustic bass, tenor guitar, trumpet, violin and vocals. I've always been a huge fan of Javier Solis and the recordings that he has made. Here is a sample of his work from Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B00000C412001011/0/104-4217594-2758311
Can anyone tell by listening to that if he used compressors, exciters, or any equipment that I don't have? I'd sure love to get that quality of recording if I only knew what to use. Any help would be great it seems that this forum maybe have the answers I've been looking for for 2 years! Thanks in advance.
David
Comments
The mic pre is connected as soon as you plug in a mic. I listen
The mic pre is connected as soon as you plug in a mic.
I listened to the original clip and your samples. You're doing great actually. As stated elsewhere, I hear some clipping going on in the horns, but otherwise I think you're on the right track.
I think that when it comes to the vocal, the room, the mic, and the mic technique are going to be the real factors.
There are compressors in there, and you can try to record with and with out the compressor keeping in mind that you can insert a compressor on that track afterwards as well on the BR-8. (Utility>effects> turn the data wheel to insert it on a track)
See which method works best for you.
Mic technique is where you basically want to get the same level of voice to the mic at all times. Usually by leaning back on louder parts. I'll tell new vocalists to treat the mic like someone you care about's ear. Get in close for sultry, and back away for belting.
Set up the input levels for the more aggressive parts of the song so that it doesn't kill a great take by distorting on the louder sections.
Also try different mic placements. Mic in front of the mouth, Mic above the mouth at like the bridge of the nose height, Mic below the mouth at like the chin height. Experiment,experiment, experiment. See what sounds best. Does a closet sound good for vocals? The bedroom? The living room with more space? The bathroom? The kitchen? A real isolated vocal booth? Rehearsal hall? Experiment.
All food for thought.
Have fun.
Phil
Hey Phil thanks for your input I've been looking all over the si
Hey Phil thanks for your input I've been looking all over the site and I found some useful info. The question I have is this: where is the mic preamp on the BR-8?????? I can't find it! Or is it automatically turned on when a microphone is plugged in? In my earlier post there was a sound click of Javier Solis. All I ever wanted to do was to record that kind of quality stuff. The voice had body and depth.....I thought my answer was a preamp....I guess if the BR-8 has a preamp maybe I'm not aware if I'm using it? Thanks a lot.