bobbo

start with the vocals

Look up the studios that recorded what you like and look over their on-line equipment list? Or call them or email them and ask?

TG

Re: bobbo

bobbo wrote: start with the vocals

Already have that 8-)

TeddyG wrote: Look up the studios that recorded what you like and look over their on-line equipment list? Or call them or email them and ask?

TG

Im almost affraid to------------- I wouldnt even know where to start :cry: .

The “big boys” are using very expensive high-end and/or vintage equipment. Getting a good track (of anything) starts at the beginning. OK, that sounds quit redundant and obvious, but what it means is that the first thing in the chain is the most important. Start with a good mic. For vocals, the pros either use a large diaphragm condenser or a tube mic.

The vintage stuff is really popular; Neumann and such. On a budget, I really like Rode microphones. They aren't too expensive, they sound good and they offer a full replacement guarantee no matter what happens or who owns it. I had one given to me that had been blown up by being used on a kick drum and I sent it to Rode and they replaced both the diaphragm and circuit board for FREE! You can also find some of those Chinese knockoffs that are pretty good. But with those, make sure you hear it before you buy it because some of them can sound really bad.

The next link in the chain is the preamp; preferably something tube. Tubes give a really warm sound to vocals. Just like microphones, you can spend anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands for one. Some have built-in things like EQ and compression, but personally I like to get the best, cleanest sound to tape/disk and shape it in the mix.

Once you have got to that point in the chain with good gear, the digital converter will now make more of a difference. You could get a great sound with a sweet tube mic and pre, then ruin it with a cheap converter (or sound card). You can buy some good units with a pre, EQ, compression and converter all in one, but the nice ones can be expensive.

Again, on a budget, I recommend a good large diaphragm microphone and a stand-alone tube preamp going into a quality, professional sound card (assumeing you are recording digital). But when all is said and done, as bobbo was trying to say, going back to the very beginning, the MOST important thing is a good performance. The stars, especially in country music, spend hours and hours with their vocal coaches on one song before they ever even step foot into the studio.

Best of luck,
-Jon

JonLewis wrote: The “big boys” are using very expensive high-end and/or vintage equipment. Getting a good track (of anything) starts at the beginning. OK, that sounds quit redundant and obvious, but what it means is that the first thing in the chain is the most important. Start with a good mic. For vocals, the pros either use a large diaphragm condenser or a tube mic.

The vintage stuff is really popular; Neumann and such. On a budget, I really like Rode microphones. They aren't too expensive, they sound good and they offer a full replacement guarantee no matter what happens or who owns it. I had one given to me that had been blown up by being used on a kick drum and I sent it to Rode and they replaced both the diaphragm and circuit board for FREE! You can also find some of those Chinese knockoffs that are pretty good. But with those, make sure you hear it before you buy it because some of them can sound really bad.

The next link in the chain is the preamp; preferably something tube. Tubes give a really warm sound to vocals. Just like microphones, you can spend anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands for one. Some have built-in things like EQ and compression, but personally I like to get the best, cleanest sound to tape/disk and shape it in the mix.

Once you have got to that point in the chain with good gear, the digital converter will now make more of a difference. You could get a great sound with a sweet tube mic and pre, then ruin it with a cheap converter (or sound card). You can buy some good units with a pre, EQ, compression and converter all in one, but the nice ones can be expensive.

Again, on a budget, I recommend a good large diaphragm microphone and a stand-alone tube preamp going into a quality, professional sound card (assumeing you are recording digital). But when all is said and done, as bobbo was trying to say, going back to the very beginning, the MOST important thing is a good performance. The stars, especially in country music, spend hours and hours with their vocal coaches on one song before they ever even step foot into the studio.

Best of luck,
-Jon

I have a Rode K2, and a Shure KSM44----good stuff----,as far as vocals are concerned,Im lucky to have a good vocalist,Ive done what Kurt has always advised against,I purchased half fast pres and comps,now I wanna get rid of it and stop f$%^ing around and get a high quality pre and comp. :P .
I would really love to be able to see a high end studio in action and absorb all that I can,but theres not one close .Im willing to make the "investment" on a good tube pre and comp,even a good used one,but I sure would like to know what the top end studios are using :x