Vocal recording sound very dull and dead

[joe_04_04]

I have the c214, which is supposedly the same diaphragm.. I've noticed it is a fairly dark and dull mic, just needs EQ over on my end. I'd be nice to find a mic with some natural brightness to it.

[Stackx]

The 414 is a great mic but is meant for the sibilant voices (such as myself) I find my voice very aggressive and very essy.. With all the mics I own I use that one on my vocals for that very reason. I have no problems with my recordings sound dead. Maybe dull n flat but that's what I like about it. I would maybe suggest a different mic. Also you mentioned a lot of foam on the walls which kills all high frequency. So while that's great for your recordings, if you have to much you will end up with very boomy dead vocals.

[jjsilk2005]

Do you have any suggestions as a replacement for the foam. I was told something like r-13 insulation with fabric for a cheap solution. And I am building 4" thick rigid fiberglass boxes for all the corners.

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[Magic Alex]

It may be a little pricey, but scattering some of these panels at waist level would maintain the sound while eliminating reflections...

For a brighter mic, try a Shure KSM32, or an AT 4033. I repeat, "try". I can almost guarantee that they will be too bright. But this way you can narrow down your target and find something in the middle. ie. "not as dark as a 414, but not as bright as a KSM32...but closer to the KSM..."

[Rascal Audio]

When you say 'screen,' do you mean pop filter? Or the large foam windscreen that often comes with mics? DO NOT use the large foam windscreen unless you're outside (and then, you should probably choose a different mic).

Secondly, consider your distance from the mic. If the mic is in cardioid pattern (as it often is for lead vocal tracks) then it will be subject to proximity effect, which means that the closer you get to the mic, the more exaggerated (and artificial) the low-end response will become. Cardioid is common as it gives a solid weight to the track and reduces ambient information, but you might benefit from backing up a foot or even more to lighten and better balance the track. You could also try omni pattern for a different perspective. Sounds like your room is damped, so it may still result in a rather dry sound for you to mix later.

Thirdly, with respect to your reference to 'professional vocals,' which I take it means commercial releases, keep in mind that they likely were not only tracked well, but processed well too. Many common vocal processors (like an LA-2A) will add a certain harmonic content that makes the sound richer, silkier, edgier, whatever, not to mention EQ used to remove the cloudiness and increase the clarity of the track. Not all of that was achieved at the tracking, though proper tracking is critical. I recommend you get as close to the sound you're wanting with mic selection and placement. You can worry about the other stuff later.

Lastly, the room you're in, so much as it has been effectively removed from the equation by means of padding and the use of a directional pattern on your mic, isn't really going to impede your ability to capture a great vocal tone, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

I'd first try varying your distance from the mic. Don't be concerned that you're backing off more than you think you should. Try it anyway. Some of the most appropriate vocal tones I've captured were as much as 2 feet-ish from the mic (works well for background/stacked vocals too)! Then if it still feels too dull, you might audition some other mics. The preamp you're using is pretty much a clean device, and while it's not the kind to add silk and sheen, it certainly isn't contributing to the dullness.

Hope this helps!

Much peace,

Joel

[Stackx]

Yea as far as the room that's something to look at but I wouldn't just start moving things around without direction and knowing what's wrong. Play a commercial mix you know well that you might play in your car thats heavy in the highend. If it sounds dull in your studio then you most likely have to much foam up. You want a flat room, but it's really easy to turn that room from flat to dead.

Also.. It may not be the room at all! It was something I threw out there because it could be a small possibility. I would definitely try different mics as well as that's probably the cause. Also mic placement and distance from the mic is huge, proximity effect will make your vocals boomy and a dull mic will not help the sound. I'm not thereto hear or see the room so there's only so much help I can say.

[jjsilk2005]

Okay thanks for all the help I will start testing out the ideas and see what I can get.

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[Manfrensengensen]

I was gonna say the same about the room. It may be too dead. Too much diffusion/absorption kills the HF and leaves you with low mid and LF as it will not be absorbed/diffused nearly as much with 2" think foam as the HF.