Why Are My Vocals Becoming Distorted?

[SubmerseMusic]

The vocals I am recording sound very professional but when I master the song up to 0 Db, the vocals distort a little bit, and I was wondering how you would go about fixing this? I have thought about buying a new limiter or even the Izotope kits to see if it was a plug-in problem, but I don't want to waste the money if it's not. I have been using Logics "multipressor, directional mixer, and adaptive limiter" during the mastering portion, Which IMO seem like great plug-ins.

You can take a listen to the songs here: myspace.com/submersethaverse

I am running a MacBook (2.4 Ghz, 4 Gb RAM) with Logic Pro 8, M-Audio Fast Track Pro, and a Perception 400 Mic.

I having a feeling that the vocals get distorted because of the interface but I would like your opinions please.

I would appreciate any comments regarding this issue, or others that you are hearing. Thanks :o)

[XHipHop]

I would start working backwards and removing stuff one by one unti you hear which process made your vocals distort, start tweaking and figure out how to avoid it.

Also, maybe try "mastering" to -.3 rather than 0db.

But you should be able to identify what plugin you're hitting too hard and just adjust the settings.

[Chris Lago]

I think your problem is that you're mastering too hot and your clipping the vox by doing so. Are you pulling the fader up to boost the volume of the song? That's probably what's causing the distortion. I think the main problem is that you're trying to replicate something that is usually done in great sounding rooms, with Expensive Gear and with a seasoned Mastering Engineer. If you don't have the 3, it's hard to make your song sound loud without clipping the track, distorting the vox, creating an unwanted pumping effect and the list goes on.

[illacov]

select all your channels and pull em down about 12db.

see if it sounds distorted.

if so its the vocal treatment or the recorded vocal.

You can accomplish loudness via saturation versus compression. The best mastering is one where you don't have to compress for punch or level.

Shoot me a PM if you have questions.

Peace
Illumination

[SubmerseMusic]

I appreciate all of your comments! I will surely give those ideas a shot and report back! I truly appreciate it!

[SubmerseMusic]

Just to let you all know, I have figured out the problem! I turned all the group faders down and took off the adap. limiter, multipressor, and directional mixer. Than I imported them into Ozone 4 and it worked wonderfully! It sounds loud and clear now, THANKS!

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by SubmerseMusic

Just to let you all know, I have figured out the problem! I turned all the group faders down and took off the adap. limiter, multipressor, and directional mixer. Than I imported them into Ozone 4 and it worked wonderfully! It sounds loud and clear now, THANKS!

No ****ing shit!!!!