Hi All,

I have recently moved house and have inherited some really bad acoustics in the room that is my studio. I have previously been able to use my Rode NT3 for vocals with only some issues with recording P's and S's etc. But the new studio presents major issues with alot of reverb and as a result I find myself moving closer and closer to my mic to pick up more bottom end and more direct vocals.

Unfortunately after this weekend recording a song with whispery vocals I am finding that the S's I am pronouncing are coming out very harsh and causing alot of mud.

After getting my girlfriend to listen to the track I recorded on the weekend she has realised that my voice accentuates S's alot which comes out in my vocals.

After playing with the EQ (after recording) and using Waves de-esser it has fixed issues with the S's but has resulted in some rather flat vocals.

I have found a small room in my house that can act as a "vocal booth" which I am planning to do some minor acoustic treatment in. But I feel as the NT3 is really not suited to my voice.

Can anyone offer any experiences they have had with recording whispery vocals or vocalists whose voice seems to accentuate S's alot?

Was thinking a Rode NT-1A?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

H

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http://www.myspace.com/distaudio

Most mikes out there aimed at home studio owners have quite a hyped top end. I own a pair of Rode NTKs and they are exactly the same. They can sound really nice on various things, but they need some attention and care to get the sound just right.

Before you go looking for another mike that will just accentuate your 's' sounds in a different manner try:

1) Tape a pencil or similiar directly in the middle of the mike grille, directly on axis to the diaphram. This helps diffuse the high frequencies that your voice produces as well as giving a slight null to the part of the mike that is the most sensitive to hf content.

2) Just try singing off axis to the mike. I've made quite a number of good sounding vocal tracks making the singer sing about 45 degrees off axis. It can take the edge off things. Just don't move around, or the timbre of your voice will change as you move.

Good luck!

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Winding Road Studios
Speaking Audio Blog

Ok thanks. I might try the pencil trick.

Although the NT3 only has a 3/4 capsule will that cut out alot of sound? Or should I just adjust the size of the pencil etc according to the size of it?

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http://www.myspace.com/distaudio

I recommend switching up your arsenal... You can get an ADK AT-51S(Neumann U87 Clone) for $199 or anything off the AudioTechnica AT4000 line, which will be better than your Rode NT3 (and cheaper), and a Presonus BlueTube Preamp for $299. Both are exceptional quality and you can even find many pro studios carrying the AT-51S(and AT4000 line). The difference would blow your mind.

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-Knowlege is Power-

Thanks sdmaas. The ADK AT-51S sounds very interesting but I am unable to see this model on the www.adkmic.com website.

Would you please able to provide me with a link please?

Thanks all for your help.

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http://www.myspace.com/distaudio

Could be this one?

http://www.adkmic.com/catalog/studioseries/A-51s.php

Check out this site: microphone samples

I found the ADK and AT mikes up here. I'm sorry but, I don't think either mike sounds very good, especially when you directly compare them to mikes that they supposedly 'compete' with. No Neumanns are up here, but Gefells come pretty close. Also compare that to Blue mikes. I'll second my previously post... work with the mike you have before purchasing something that might just sound bad in a different way.

If I had to choose.... I'd go with an AT4040 over an ADK or any other AT mike (at that price). But even the 4040 is still considered a pretty bright mike.

Anyway, listen for yourself. The rest of the signal chain is listed and is quite high quality. Cheers.

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Winding Road Studios
Speaking Audio Blog

Maybe an NT1000 would fit the bill, Review Here I have one which works well (for the price) up close on many singers. I also have an AT4040 which works better with my voice, I suspect that it works for me because it is a little bright and I'm a little dull.

Regards,

Grant.

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I've never liked a solo violin, you need at least five for a proper fire.

Thanks MaTr1x2051.

That looks like a great resource. I will have to spend a little time having a listen to each one to get the right result.

After seeing everyones opinions obviously microphone choice is a matter of opinion. If I can upload a sample of my vocals somewhere I could perhaps get some feedback on what would be the best mike for my voice.

To be honest my microphone technique is probably terrible so I will try the pencil thing before making the leap.

Thank you all for your help. And further opinions or recommendations are welcomed as always.

Any recommendations for pencils?

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http://www.myspace.com/distaudio

I have a Rode NT-1a here. I found that this can also sound quite siblant as it is a bright mic.

I have tried the AT4040, Blue Bluebird, Heil PR-35 and Shure SM7b also. Of these I liked the SM7b and AT4040 the most. The AT4040 was a little fuller than the NT-1a but still quite bright. The Shure SM7b was nice but out of my budget!

I have recently bought an Oktava MK-319 but haven't had a chance to give it a real workout yet.

http://www.oktava-online.com/mk319.htm

The Oktava MK-319 is less bright than the AT4040 and NT-1a.
I'll hopefully be putting the Oktava through it's paces on Friday!

Another mic you may find suitable is the KEL HM-2d

http://www.kelaudio.com/hm2d.html

Quote MaTr1x2051:

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Check out this site: microphone samples

I found the ADK and AT mikes up here. I'm sorry but, I don't think either mike sounds very good, especially when you directly compare them to mikes that they supposedly 'compete' with. No Neumanns are up here, but Gefells come pretty close. Also compare that to Blue mikes. I'll second my previously post... work with the mike you have before purchasing something that might just sound bad in a different way.

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I don't see how someone critiquing audio can judge how something sounds from an internet stream/download, especially a mic. I have used the ADK AT-51s in studio and heard the sound they reproduce through a professional system. The same studio that carries a Manley Reference Gold, AT-4060, AKG 414 (and Neumann TLM103--still standing by it--for that matter) and so on... the ADK AT-51s is still the go-to mic for so many applications; vocals are only one of them. Get your hands on one if you want to test drive it. Then tell me it sounds bad. (I'll buy it from you if you do) These things aren't even $200, it's not like it's out of anyone's price range here.

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-Knowlege is Power-

Good point sdmaas.

I guess if there is a possibility that they are as good as a Neumann it is worth the $200 risk.

But in MaTr1x2051's defence it all comes down to personal preferance.

Needless to say you have me quite interesting in trying one. Unfortunatley I am in Australia, and the likelihood of a store having one of these is slim to none. So I would be more than a $200 outlay for me.

sdmaas are you able to recommend someone who would ship these mics OS?

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http://www.myspace.com/distaudio

Quote sdmaas:

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Quote MaTr1x2051:

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Check out this site: microphone samples

I found the ADK and AT mikes up here. I'm sorry but, I don't think either mike sounds very good, especially when you directly compare them to mikes that they supposedly 'compete' with. No Neumanns are up here, but Gefells come pretty close. Also compare that to Blue mikes. I'll second my previously post... work with the mike you have before purchasing something that might just sound bad in a different way.

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I don't see how someone critiquing audio can judge how something sounds from an internet stream/download, especially a mic. I have used the ADK AT-51s in studio and heard the sound they reproduce through a professional system. The same studio that carries a Manley Reference Gold, AT-4060, AKG 414 (and Neumann TLM103--still standing by it--for that matter) and so on... the ADK AT-51s is still the go-to mic for so many applications; vocals are only one of them. Get your hands on one if you want to test drive it. Then tell me it sounds bad. (I'll buy it from you if you do) These things aren't even $200, it's not like it's out of anyone's price range here.

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Its not hard to hear the not so subtle differences in mikes... even over an internet stream/download. The ADK sounds 2-dimensional compared to other mike up there; 2-dimensional and dull. But I understand there is a lot of personal preference in mike choice as well. But there is no way I'd put the ADK on the same level as Neumann, Blue, AKG, or Manley. If you have ears, and work in audio, you should be able to hear the difference in quality. I'm sure that I would also be able to find plenty of uses for that ADK mike... probably backing vox, electric guitars, maybe on toms too... I don't know. It all depends on the sound you're after. But for me... if you're after a clear yet not sibilant vox sound, I have yet to find any budget mikes that can do it. Just stick with the pencil and you'll get better results. There is a reason why the mike costs $200 and not $2000. If you can learn to use the natural brightness of the Rode to your advantage, I think you will be able to achieve a much more natural sound than going out and spending more money that most likely won't help in your application. I know people who swear by the AT4040 and 4060s... and they also own great high end gear. But when natural sound and clarity are the most important, they hardly ever get used. So I'll keep saying it: don't spend money unless you can definitly afford the next level of mike, or need another one because you don't have enough for your purposes.

Sorry for bashing the mike. I shouldn't do it unless I have had first hand experience, and I haven't. But look at the signal chain used on the site. That is a pretty good pre, and the Digi converters aren't too shabby either... they are loads better than what most people on here have at their disposal. Sdmaas, I'd love to hear if you have clips of your own to post of the ADK. Maybe your clips could change my attitude about it. I'd go out and rent one myself, if I could find a place in Phoenix that rented gear. But until then, I'm stuck listening to the sources that I've found, and so far its the site. But ya, please post something and I'll be sure to give it a fair listen.

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Winding Road Studios
Speaking Audio Blog

I have to agree with MaTr1x2051 on the clips idea.

I would love to hear a sample of the AT-51s.

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http://www.myspace.com/distaudio