Weak link? (Updating Gear)

[Dread]

Hi Im looking to update my gear…
My set up is for strictly recording vocal trax Reggae/Dancehall (think RnB/Hiphop)


My current set up is…

Rode NTK mic
Focusrite Voice Master Pro
Delta 44 sound card

Monitors -
Genelec 8020’s
Bheringher Truth B2030A

Now Im thinking of upgrading my gear.. I have my “suspicions” to what I find to be my weakest link.. but would just like to get peoples opinions on what they would get rid of and bring in instead? For my needs.. I wont to be able to record a wicked vocal!

I know this might be very hard to say cos different people.. different situation.. but still what would be your initial move in this situation what is the weakest link in your opinion and what would you upgrade it for.??? .(not looking to go to crazy with my budget, but still looking for an upgrade to what I have)

And also a question about the vocal chain.. if you have a really wicked mic and a killah mic pre.. going into an ok sound card.. does this effect the sound quality of the chain..?
Does it make the mic and the mic pre sound worse.. or is the change very minimal?

Also.. I have sound treated a closet in my “project studio” with acoustic fome.. when do you know when you have killed the sound to much? And when do you know when it is just right..?

Ok might be stupid questions.. Im sorry for that.. but just bare with me.. Im learning.

thanx!

[Dread]

What could I change or add to improve my recordings?

No options???

[chrispick]

My opinions (having been at your gear level in my own home a few years ago):

Weakest link: Focusrite Voice Master Pro.

A friend of mine had that model. Every mic sounded -- let's say "marginal" through it.

A close second would be the Delta card.

If I were you, I'd step up your pre and AD/DA. I use and like Apogee gear (an Ensemble mostly), but I've never spent time with other makes. Good clocking and signal conversion really does make a sonic difference. Things will sound much more solid.

The NTK is okay. I have one and use it sometimes. Not the prettiest-sounding mic I've ever heard, but I'd bet it'd work nicely for certain hip hop vocals (male mostly) as it has some edge to it.

RE: Closet -- Get out of there, man. No amount of acoustic treatment you can afford will prevent the comb filtering that occurs. And that ruins tracks. You can't EQ that out. Most any normal, open room will suit you better, I believe. Closets are not iso booths. One man's opinion.

I worked on some hip hop tracks for a videogame recently and one of the rappers did a bunch of his tracking in a supposed treated closet. The only way I could make his stuff usable was to give it some heavy lo-fi effects (e.g., add distortion, old radio EQ, you know the biz).

[Dread]

thanx chris for you feedback!

Yes Im not to happy with the VMP.. I tend to use my plugs more then the stuff on the VMP..

is it at all possible to achieve high quality recordings for release.. in a project studio with out having the top of the line gear..?

What Mic pres could you recommend be to check out?
I know the Avalon is popular brand.. but are the low end Avalon pres any good.. like the M5? anyone have any experience with the M5? (have tried searching but no results.. must not be that good?)

How could I change my set up.. to get pro sounding recordings..?


Blessed!

p.s yea reading up on "Comb filtering" thanx for that pointer...

[chrispick]

Originally Posted by Dread

is it at all possible to achieve high quality recordings for release.. in a project studio with out having the top of the line gear..?

I think so, depending on the type of music you want to produce. Some sub-genres of electronic music or hip hop aren't about realistic representation of sounds or audiophile-level sonics. If you want Missy Elliot or Kanye West gloss of production, rent time in a nice studio. If you want something grittier and edgier, something less mainstream and with more "stank" -- yeah, I think you could do that in a home project studio.

I know the Avalon is popular brand.. but are the low end Avalon pres any good.. like the M5? anyone have any experience with the M5? (have tried searching but no results.. must not be that good?

Although Avalon gear appears to be the staple of many hip hop recordings, you could use any number of quality preamps and get great results (I think a UA LA-610 would be cool for tracking hip hop vocals needing some grit). If you want to follow the trend keep things and Avalon though, bite the bullet, get the VT-737sp and be done with it.

In disclosure, I've only participating in tracking vocals through an Avalon once (female, diva-style, through a 737sp). It sounded smooth and pop to me.