Mixcraft Studio Tips - Getting A Great Vocal Sound Part 1/2

[wes331]

@acoustica222 i use a presonus audio box usb and i get so much clipping while recording i really have no hardware compressor what is the best thing i can use to keep from clipping through the software interface?

[SuperDrifter47]

'i know its red' . LOL

[LearnHowtomix]

Hello .

If I do not have your guitar compressor , can i use the mixcraft's one that comes along as vst?

or do you think that it is better to buy / or get a free vst ?

Thanks for this wonderful video !

Thanks in advance !

[CeezyGeezy411]

How do I work Mixcrafts compressor, I have mixcraft 5! Please respond ASAP!

[captainamazin1]

You are a boring old man.

[n00bie51]

@captainamazin1 Perhaps, but this boring old man has helped me get a better vocal sound in Mixcraft!

[MissLyricsful]

Hello there, your tutorials are really good and help alot(: anyway ive done as much as i could possibly can do to my song edits but i do believe it could be edited a little more to make it sound better. Could i send u my song so u could edit it a little bit more. I think you could make it WAY better (: Thanks . please reply xxxxxxxx

[bubbleabee]

Hey! i see you need that compressor thing to make it all the same level when you talk or yell, but can you use the built in compressor that's in mix craft to make it do that too?

[TheMajordills]

@bubbleabee thats what i was wondering

[treydiggy]

Is it always a good idea to use hardware compressor? What if your using a condenser mike?

[treydiggy]

Good move using the cheap equipment that helps out alot for me lol

[ILoveFolkMusic]

i know this might be a dumb question, but for what would you use the audio interface? and can you do the work without it?

[rickymicky111]

'...when im speaking,OR WHEN IM YELLING!!!!'

Awesome! Just Awesome!

[zeraeign]

is it okay if we directly connect the mic to the laptop? will it vocal sounds great? or not?

[JimijaymesGuitarist]

@zeraeign You can still get a great vocal sound in your DAW depending on how you connect it to your laptop. The mic ins are usually quite noisy so either a USB microphone (their are some ok ones being released) or using an interface is the best option. Their are plenty of free VSTs such as the Antress Modern Series that have decent compressors

[zeraeign]

@JimijaymesGuitarist OH my. I can't relate to most of it. Newbie after all. Sorry for the very late response. and Thanks

[roughridersz]

@acoustica222 how the hell can i enable the hardware compressor

[nastyguard007]

@roughridersz You buy a compressor, connect your mic to the compressor, connect the compressor to the PC - done.

Do you know what hardware means?

[Riotman898]

You say via funny.

[kanubari]

As i can see ur usb mic is far better heard than those mic wihout external compressor, my question is do we really need external compressor for good vocal? Pls clarify my, shall be obliged. I am reaaly tired learning tutorial to enhance my vocal sound which sounds muddy, too far and not too clear...plsssssssssssss

[JimijaymesGuitarist]

@kanubari You don't need a hardware compressor at all as their is plenty of software compressors that will be better then cheaper hardware (nicer hardware compressors cant be beat but they are needed or in the budget of most people looking at this tutorial). Alot could be to do with your room and how far away your mic is. If your room doesn't sound great the maybe move closer to the mic. If getting plosives then you need a pop filter. After that some eq in the low mids could help

[kanubari]

Hi thanks for the wonderful tutorial. But i have many Q around. I have Mxl 550 condensor mic, FTP and mixcraft. I composed some songs and tried to do vocal on that....but the vocal sound was absolutely crap....it seems muudy, and like singing too far...had lost hope. My brother without any sound card or mic recorded the sound with simple usb microphene (which cost 10 dollars) and edited on mixcraft.............that sounded far far far better than wat i have recorded wit all those stuffs.

[DECIFERTHIS09]

Heres my vocal chain of effects in mixcraft g-sonique pultronic tube eq really fattens the sound,classic chorus,acoustica eq, and thats my general bases of a good vocal sound I like to remove the 32,63 frequencys and boost the 8 and tweak the rest but thats just me i say turn all the eq down and start with a mid frequency and build around it and tweak it will take a hour or 2 before your fully happy with the eq hope this helps

[DECIFERTHIS09]

@DECIFERTHIS09 My hardware is mxl990 into a alesis multimix 8 usb

[Uzi093]

so uhh what if we dont have a compressor thing..can we still make the vocals better within mixcraft

[DariusMusicWorld]

I have a Protools USB condenser mic , is that good enough for good quality would you say?

[JR28951]

hey whats a good microphone to use while playing in a rock or metal band for vocals

[JimijaymesGuitarist]

@JR28951 The SM58 is the industry standard for a reason great live and useable in the studio. If upgrading for recording there are a few cheaper condensers that are fine (such as the MXL 67g or the Studio Projects B1) but if needing a handheld an SM58 and SM57 will do the job

[JR28951]

hey whats a good microphone to use while playing in a rock or metal band

[jipidibipity]

How come some YouTube videos audio garbles after time and others not?

[CDKUnlimited]

@acoustica222 you never said how to get vocals to be even, All you said was something about a compresser but i have a snowball microphone and its good, i just want the vocals to be even like yours were when you recorded it...

[gotentrunksfusion]

ur rich 0.0

[grt05]

I don't have a hardware compressor....which compressor in mixcraft do i use to get a similar effect?

[MEGatlin]

Great vid!!! I have a question tho. Please respond back.. I have a usb microphone called the Blue Yeti and it is a really good mic, but I still cant control my (peak) or as u call them, (clip) levels. How do I control my clip levels using a usb mic?? Is there some kind of usb hardware compressor that u know of, that I can use to plug my usb mic directly into and then run the compressor straight my computer to use with mixcraft????

[ChaseMartinTV]

for the compression unit, do you have to buy separate equipment ?

[myspacceer]

your really good at giving tutorials.

[L7MuSiC]

LOW COST ?? 100 $ haahahahahah

[JimijaymesGuitarist]

@L7MuSiC Well in the microphone world alot of pro stuff is in the $1000 to $2000 range most stuff under $400 is considered cheap

[WhichOnesPink777]

I know, It's red

[TheFXTester]

@WhichOnesPink777 For some reason i laughed really hard at the comment. But just because of your username.

[iamyourmom2]

is the only way to get a clear voice by using a real microphone? I dont have one, so I resort to my laptop's mic, which is terrible. Can i still atleast make my voice clear?

[NicoleArrageMusic]

I have a Tascam US-144 , but no guitar processor, how do I make my sound equal, like you showed in the beginning of the video?

[intersepter100]

Mate! I love your videos on Mixcraft! My Son and I are experimenting with Mixcraft, and a mixer etc, your videos are a great help, also with the thought of setting up our own studio in the near future.

Steve

[poopoo427]

Will Mixcraft 5 Work With Screaming vocals cause thats my main vocals in my studio

[Unitednoobs]

hey cool vid mate. I have a question for you though. I am a guitarist and have the exact same effectboard me-50, I do not have a compressor when recording vocals (always did that in post)... your idea using the guitar effect panel seems quite cool and I want to try it. Problem is that my Microphone needs phantom power so I need to use a mixer. I however have Aux sends on my mixer but dont really know how to use them. It's an Alesis Mutlimix 16 (Usb 1.1 , sadly the older version):

[acoustica222]

@MrGuitarWeirdo You can use any hardware compressor, or none at all, just rely on the compressors within Mixcraft. I just prefer to run through a hardware compressor first personally.

[realjuvelive]

I don't have guitar processor mate, Do I need to have one ?

[gunarthon]

and if I YEEEEEEELL

hauishiuaihsuaihisuahiushiuaa

[vonne25000]

man!!!! i never thought of using my effects pedal as a compressor,,few weeks i've started saving money to buy a compressor. gee thanks!

[txsouthboi]

Hey,if i send you a project on Mixcraft will you mix it for me please

[Macan023]

You really helped me man....ill like,and sub you...:)))

[RemiLegend]

hey if u wanna check out how the orchestral sounds of Mixcraft sound, check my video: "Film Scoring Demo..." I made everything using Mixcraft 4's virtual instruments and mixed it there as well, except for the vocals of course. Peace :)

[CANNONakaHADDY]

Excuse me if you wouldnt mind, without trying to sound like a complete douchebag, do you have any old equipment that you would be willing to give away ?

[acoustica222]

@MrGuitarWeirdo I am not sure what you mean here, can you explain a little further?

[CastleRecordz]

This tutorial is great and explianing to me so much. I always wondered why sometimes my vocals were drowned by the music, or just some of the words but as you explained it's the clashing of frequencies in the different sounds.

[acoustica222]

@CastleRecordz Yes, that is exactly what causes it! I am glad the videos are helping people.

[l0vlockdown]

@acoustica222

if isend you a song can you tell me how the mixing is

[acoustica222]

@l0vlockdown head on over to the acoustica forum, you might catch me there :-)

[vnllawytchkltblndie]

Right now I have a crappy mic that came with a kareoke machine. But I'm planning on getting a Shure SM58 within the next month, will i still need a hardware compressor?

[acoustica222]

@vnllawytchkltblndie You don't HAVE to, but it certainly helps. Record without one, use the compressors that come with mixcraft and see how it works for you.

[SickkFlowEnt]

I have blue snowball, do you think its good?

[acoustica222]

@SickkFlowEnt I have one and personally I have yet to find a use for it. The requirement of phantom power is an added pain for me and the mic itself doesn't seem very directional or omni-directional, can't seem to do much with it. Definitely not a vocal mic. IMO

[SickkFlowEnt]

@acoustica222 i rap on it, i mean its alright, check out my quality

[SickkFlowEnt]

@SickkFlowEnt

[mt18571]

how do you make one vocal track sound like a whole audience like a live audience?

[acoustica222]

@mt18571 You can't. You would have more luck just adding a recording of an audience.

[BPittMusic]

hi, i'm a rapper using a CAD u37 usb mic with a pop filter. i have it set up in the corner of my bedroom. the mic is very sensitive and it gets very scratchy if my voice gets even slightly loud. i have to make an effort to sing/rap quietly, which i feel like i shouldnt be doing. what can i do as far as A. purchasing a new mic, B. trying to adjust the acoustics of my room with foam and what not, or C. using certain settings in Mixcraft 5. thanks!!!

[acoustica222]

@BPittMusic Just get a Shure SM58, you don't have to adjust any acoustics in your room because with a normal microphone you can be right on top of it, which eliminates the room as a factor in the recording. You'll need an adapter from XLR to 1/8th inch, in order to plug the SM58 into your computers microphone jack.

[acoustica222]

@BPittMusic Reading reviews on this mic, almost all of them say it is very buggy and much too sensitive. This is a room mic, meant for recording from afar, it's not a vocal mic.

[ButtaSquadProduction]

@BPittMusic dude me and you are in the same situation lol im rapping, in the corner of my bedroom (sometimes my closet), using that same mic

[stephenTkennedy1]

am useing my laptop mic, am seem to get a good sound out of it

is that good if a keep useing that replay to me dude

[acoustica222]

@stephenTkennedy1 You'll never get a professional sound from a built in laptop mic. You could certainly learn on it and then once you get the hang of recording, graduate to an actual vocal microphone, like a Shure SM58

[stephenTkennedy1]

@acoustica222 ano

its just cause ave not got the money to get a new one

and a rap too so,

[nfarnham2008]

I am using a webcam with a built in mic, and I just started watching these today or yesterday. I'm saving up for more equip

[acoustica222]

@nfarnham2008 Yeah the web cam mic is the issue. If you want to record music you need to get a decent mic.

[nfarnham2008]

Well my issue is I want a professional sound, and I can't seem to get that smooth professional sound, not sure if it is my mic, or the area I am recording, or what.

[acoustica222]

@nfarnham2008 The place you record in is not generally the first concern, but more of a final touch. What kind of mic are you using? Have you followed the tutorials here?

[nfarnham2008]

I am fairly new to this. I am investing in an M-Audio Sessions mic, and a preamp, as well as a new sound card for my computer. I have audacity, FL studio, and Mixcraft.

Any help or ideas? The vocals i will be doing are more aggressive, like mudvayne, slipknot.

[acoustica222]

@nfarnham2008 That would depend on what kind of help you want. I think this tutorial pretty much covers it, if you come across something that you have an issue with, post it and we'll try to help.