Troubles recording vocals through bass octave effect

[HarpNinja]

Anyone have good luck getting a recording of vocals processed to sound like bass?

I do a solo show where I play harmonica, beatbox, and sing basslines into an octave effect.

I am using a mic into a POD HD500 for everything. I have a patch for harp, one for beatboxing, and one for the bass lines. I have an impossible time getting a good sound when recording direct to a Mackie Blackjack.

Here is the best example - starts about a minute in: http://mikefugazzi.com/files/HeyJoeDistorted.mp3

I've tried a Line6 M13, POD HD500, Boss OC2, Danelectro Chili Dog, and a EHX Micro POG with no luck...everyone has resulted in a serviceable live sound but a super annoying highend distortion/ringing/rattle when recording direct.

The distortion is wrecking any chance of me getting a listenable demo for any sort of use. I have scoured the internet and troubleshooting for months with NO luck of any sorts. I get not ringing, etc, when gigging, monitoring in my modest home studio, or using the headphone jack of the POD. It only happens on playback.

Any help???????

Thanks!

[HarpNinja]

As this approaches 200 views, if anyone can even point out another forum, group, list, or contact to ask this too, would be grateful for that as well!

[Chrisc_o]

Why record direct? If it sounds good live then go with what works.

[HarpNinja]

Originally Posted by Chrisc_o

Why record direct? If it sounds good live then go with what works.

I am limited to recording direct at home while the kids are asleep. I was really hoping to learn enough to record scratch tracks to web friendly demos as a means of preproduction and practice (maybe marketing).

I will probably never release a CD of music, but I'd really like to share out what I am working on with friends on occasion. I have access to studios, but want to come in prepared should that time come...in the mean time, recording some tracks at home would be rewarding.

It can sound live and raw, so I am not looking for perfection...just not the crappy ringing on the bass.

[Chrisc_o]

Well, try tracking without the effects and add them after the fact.

Make sure that you're not clipping your inputs.

Post a clip of one of your attempts at tracking for more specific and therefore more helpful advice.

As for recording live, set up a couple of mics at your next gig.

[HarpNinja]

Thanks for the input...here is an example: http://mikefugazzi.com/files/HeyJoeDistorted.mp3. It is 100% raw and probably at very low levels when played back - I was trying to see if lowering my input volume help eliminate it.

I do everything in realtime...although, I have to now overdub vocals. Being that I run form the POD HD to my Boomerang III, everything ends up on the same track instrumentally.

However, if I think it through, I might be able to hard pan things and track in stereo with the unaffected bassline on a separate track. It would be tricky, but I think I can make it work if necessary.

I was really hoping to just hit record and play, for the most part, in an effort to critique my arrangements and such.

I only gig out like this maybe once a month, but I may have to start recording live like you said.

Regarding clipping...my Boomerang III clip light comes on whenever it is hit with a signal regardless of the situation, so that doesn't help...the Blackjack is for sure not clipping...the meters in Reaper aren't clipping either. In fact, the bass seems to peak lower than the harmonica. And again, the harmonica and beatboxing record just fine.

Thanks!!!

[HarpNinja]

Here is a clip with my full rig and miking my QSC K10, which I can't do at night as it is too loud.

http://mikefugazzi.com/files/stomach.mp3

The link above is just my mic into the pedal into the looper into the interface. I can even hear the ring on my crappy laptop speakers. The above clip shouldn't ring like that.

[MarvinDog]

Originally Posted by HarpNinja

I've tried a Line6 M13, POD HD500, Boss OC2, Danelectro Chili Dog, and a EHX Micro POG with no luck...everyone has resulted in a serviceable live sound but a super annoying highend distortion/ringing/rattle when recording direct.

Try a low pass filter on the track. If that doesn't work well enough, like I said in the other thread, sample and pitch it down.

[HarpNinja]

Originally Posted by MarvinDog

Try a low pass filter on the track. If that doesn't work well enough, like I said in the other thread, sample and pitch it down.

Any suggested settings to start? Sorry, I am a total noob. Thanks!!!! Is it better to use the low pass as part of my rig or to do it postrecording?

[HarpNinja]

Aha! I found a better example...http://mikefugazzi.com/files/HeyJoeDistorted.mp3

Check it out around 55s and on...there the whole time.

[MarvinDog]

Originally Posted by HarpNinja

Any suggested settings to start? Sorry, I am a total noob. Thanks!!!! Is it better to use the low pass as part of my rig or to do it postrecording?

No problem at all. Do it after recording. Start the filter wide open, and sweep it down until you get the result you want.

[sickie]

I really like that Hey Joe version. Bravo! As for the high end ringing... I hear it and it totally ruins the sound of bass. But I don't know/have any experience with the gear you're using, so I can't help you there but I think that eliminating that ringing at the source would be preferable to low pass filter.
The ringing itself reminds me of sound emitted from old CRT TVs/monitors/bad electronics. But as I said, I don't have a clue where it comes from and if it's of digital or analogue origin. Actually I just replayed to say I really like your style. I hope you solve your problem.

[HarpNinja]

Someone on another site mentioned it might also be digital interference of some kind. I'll check that out too!

[HarpNinja]

Originally Posted by sickie

I really like that Hey Joe version. Bravo! As for the high end ringing... I hear it and it totally ruins the sound of bass. But I don't know/have any experience with the gear you're using, so I can't help you there but I think that eliminating that ringing at the source would be preferable to low pass filter.
The ringing itself reminds me of sound emitted from old CRT TVs/monitors/bad electronics. But as I said, I don't have a clue where it comes from and if it's of digital or analogue origin. Actually I just replayed to say I really like your style. I hope you solve your problem.

Thanks! That tune is several months old and was my first attempt at home recording...I am excited to continue the project myself.

Right now I am using the following:

Mic
HD500
Boomerang III
Mackie Blackjack - monitor out to a QSC K10 (getting real studio monitors ASAP)

I must admit that the laptop is always plugged in and I have about 5 or so things plugged in at that same time to the wall...most of my gear is digital and within inches of each other. I think I break every rule about having the power chords by each other. I had no clue this was a concern until half an hour when someone suggested digital interference.


***I did here this same sound on Internet radio the other day. It was when a call-in guest was talking. It didn't happen when the host was talking or the commercials ran...just when the caller spoke. That might lend itself further to being a digital thing.

[HarpNinja]

Well, I unplugged everything other than my board and tried recording off the laptop battery...same noise problem. I didn't notice anything being less annoying. The only digital stuff plugged in were my HD500 and Boomerang III. The power supplies are on a power strip underneath the board.

There was 3-4' of space between the board and computer.

I then tried using a HP and LP filter on the HD500 with no luck. I am not savvy enough to record and then use Reaper to add the HP/LP. Me thinks it is either something wrong with the signal or digital interference from inside the computer.

My work around will be to record in stereo and send the bass lines uneffected panned hard to one side. I can then add the octave down effect in post production and pan everything center. I hope.

[sickie]

And how is everything connected? Is it all digital from HD500 onwards or are those devices' links analogue? And in reaper you just need to put an EQ with a lowpass/hi cut filter. I'm sure reaper comes already with such filters.

[lhama]

I think i'm misunderstanding this, but you're working vocals with guitar effects?

There are some gain issues right there. Something like pigtronix keymaster can take care of that.