Hi. This is my first time posting here. I'm sort of glad to have found this forum because it deals with the exact subject I've been having ongoing difficulties with for quite some time: recording vocals. It takes me a long time, because I can never get it to sound right, no matter how much I try. I always get a very mid-rangey sound, with a lack of presence. I try cutting some of the low mid-range, but that doesn't seem to make it any better; in fact whatever I cut just seems to uncover more flaws with the sound. I just can't figure out what is the cause of the problem.

I've currently been trying to record using a CAD M179 condensor (which I was informed was supposed to be a really good mic for vocals; I've previously used a Seinheiser E855 dynamic), into an M Audio "Audio Buddy" pre-amp, then into an M Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard on my PC. The software I use is Cakewalk Home Studio XL.

I just recorded an piano-vocal demo of an old pop standard as an experiment, so you can hear an example of what I'm talking about. The vocal is dry with no effects or EQ (though I have experimented with them) If you don't mind taking the time to listen, here is a link to it; you can find it under the title "Experimental Demo".

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Any advice you have will be greatly appreciated. I really want to get to the bottom of this once and for all, so I can start making decent sounding recordings. It's frustrating knowing what you want something to sound like, yet not being able to achieve it.