Vocal Mixing Help

[laozi]

I'm running an AKG SolidTube mic into the Avalon 2022 Pre and converting with Apogee Rosetta 800 A/D D/A before it goes into my 002. I've always had a problem getting the vocals to sit in front of the speakers. They sound great but it's difficult to understand the words (diction isn't the problem). I've messed with EQ and Compression (waves renaissance) but the vocals still don't pop out. I would appreciate any suggestions . . . thanks!

[SeedGuy]

Turn them up

[laozi]

Turn them up

wow, that was really insightful . . . thanks.

[guitardom]

have you tried other mic's??? that might be something to seriously consider. but your chain going in is great, i would look at the music bed or mic. there is some other things me and others have posted for a post just like this named "close but no cig" on this same page.

[laozi]

have you tried other mic's??? that might be something to seriously consider. but your chain going in is great, i would look at the music bed or mic. there is some other things me and others have posted for a post just like this named "close but no cig" on this same page.

yeah i checked it out but was hoping for maybe some different techniques. thanks for your thoughts. i have tried other mics but i really think it's just a mix issue. i guess i'll just try to EQ the mix a little better so the vocals have more room . . . we'll see what that does.

[Violet]

It would be helpful to hear what you have so far.

We could tell you a lot more from hearing it.

Convert what you have to MP3 and stick it up on the internet some where (youtube/myspace etc.) and give us the link

[laozi]

you can check out my myspace page: www.myspace.com/derekryanproject

i have songs from my last album on there which had the same vocal issues. the guy who mastered it was able to pop them out by mono-summing the mix and boosting at about 1.5-1.8k but it still is unintelligible in some areas.

[guitardom]

hey, i dig your stuff, especially the whole one man band thing, i enjoy it myself, just dont have time lately, working on everyone else's stuff. see your from cinncinnatti, i am from columbus myself.

my immediate thoughts.. the low mid is your problem imo, when the snare comes in it seems to drown your vocals its fairly boomy, even the perc on broken december, when it picks up, it overpowers the vocals. i would think to try cutting 200-700hz on gtrs a bit and snare, they seem to overpower. behind the seperating glass your vocals are fighting through the snare especially. might try another condenser mic like a mojave ma 200, maybe accentuate the mid highs in your voice a bit more instead of the mid lows. maybe try boosting 4-5k a bit in your vox as well.

[laozi]

thanks, i appreciate it. i'll definitely try that out with my new stuff . . . thanks buckeye!