Need help w/ Vocal/Recording/processing

[Theo Void]

Hey guys, it's been awhile. Anyway, I have been writing more and more songs that include vocals and guitar. Still very electronic but w/ vocals.
I am using a Shure SM58 plugged into a Fast Track Pro and a Macbook. I made a little isolation booth using matresses and what not. Problem is that I am NOT at all satisfied w/ my vocals. Does anyone have any tips or effects chains or any other advice that may help a brother out?

What do u do?

[eddiex]

The sm58 might not be the best mic. for recording vocals...what about your vocals don't you like? Is it not loud enough? Are they distorted. Honestly.... How decent of a singer are you?
Not trying to be a jerk. But sometimes when we hear our recorded self, it can be majorly different than how we think we sound? Is this your first time messing with vocals?
I use a sm58.....but only for noisy backing stuff only.
......ooo's and aah's.....and I heavily effect it
I say add a little reverb maybe a touch of delay.....maybe try some overdubs
mess around with the eq a little, and some compression if your vox are kind of all over the place. just mess around with it.....and if you can't get it right.....you might need a new mic.

[Theo Void]

The sm58 might not be the best mic. for recording vocals...what about your vocals don't you like? Is it not loud enough? Are they distorted. Honestly.... How decent of a singer are you?
Not trying to be a jerk. But sometimes when we hear our recorded self, it can be majorly different than how we think we sound? Is this your first time messing with vocals?
I use a sm58.....but only for noisy backing stuff only.
......ooo's and aah's.....and I heavily effect it
I say add a little reverb maybe a touch of delay.....maybe try some overdubs
mess around with the eq a little, and some compression if your vox are kind of all over the place. just mess around with it.....and if you can't get it right.....you might need a new mic.

I have heard that The SM58 is better for live vocals. Honestly, I am a decent singer. I sing in a kinda falsetto and have a nice range when singing in that way. So I go pretty high and there's quite a bit of vibrato mostly at the end of lines. I've been singing for years but am just now starting to sing w/ electronic music. I do have guitar here and there in the mix but just to accent things. The guitar isn't the main element as it is in rock music.
It's not my recorded voice, I'm used to that. It's not so much how my voice sounds but how it's sitting in the mix that is my problem. It's just either too loud or too quiet, ya know. I can't seem to get it to sound professional. Like, the whole song is awesome, then I add vocals and it just doesnt sit well. I do use compression as my voice is dynamic. I also use eq and reverb.

I guess my question is: what is your signal chain in the vocal track. Like, specifically?>

[Theo Void]

The sm58 might not be the best mic. for recording vocals...what about your vocals don't you like? Is it not loud enough? Are they distorted. Honestly.... How decent of a singer are you?
Not trying to be a jerk. But sometimes when we hear our recorded self, it can be majorly different than how we think we sound? Is this your first time messing with vocals?
I use a sm58.....but only for noisy backing stuff only.
......ooo's and aah's.....and I heavily effect it
I say add a little reverb maybe a touch of delay.....maybe try some overdubs
mess around with the eq a little, and some compression if your vox are kind of all over the place. just mess around with it.....and if you can't get it right.....you might need a new mic.

I have heard that The SM58 is better for live vocals. Honestly, I am a decent singer. I sing in a kinda falsetto and have a nice range when singing in that way. So I go pretty high and there's quite a bit of vibrato mostly at the end of lines. I've been singing for years but am just now starting to sing w/ electronic music. I do have guitar here and there in the mix but just to accent things. The guitar isn't the main element as it is in rock music.
It's not my recorded voice, I'm used to that. It's not so much how my voice sounds but how it's sitting in the mix that is my problem. It's just either too loud or too quiet, ya know. I can't seem to get it to sound professional. Like, the whole song is awesome, then I add vocals and it just doesnt sit well. I do use compression as my voice is dynamic. I also use eq and reverb.
Also, you said, "heavily effected." Explain. If u will.
I guess my question is: what is your signal chain in the vocal track. Like, specifically?>

[Theo Void]

Sorry so many questions. But I just thought about overdubs. I have tried this. Didn't turn out too well but I know that harmonizing w/ myself could really make a vocal track 100 x better.
I'm guessing that duplicating the track wouldn't work well?

[crumhorn]

Compression, EQ and reverb are all I ever use unless I'm going for a special effect.

Don't try and set the EQ while listening to the vocal in isolation, adjust while listening to the whole mix.

Have you asked anyone else what they think of it. Perhaps you're just being hyper self critical?

[eddiex]

I think you are going to have to get a better mic.....like a condenser microphone.....the sm58 is awesome for live vox as you said...and recording instruments....But you are probably not going to get the vocal sound you want out of that mic. I had an audio technica at2020....it is a cheap
(100 bucks) condenser mic, but It is a world of difference from a sm58.

[crumhorn]

Another good budget condenser mic for vocals is the AKG C1000S which you can pick up for less that £100 if you shop around.

[memes_33]

i agree with the guys above me- a better mic. a large-diaphragm condenser is usually the go-to for vocals, or a nice ribbon if things your vocals sound harsh.

this guy makes great affordable ribbon mics - http://www.cascademicrophones.com/ .

[Theo Void]

ya i think you all are onto something. Need a better mic. Thanks.
But canyone share a specific vocal chain for future ref.
thanks

[nuxnamon]

ya i think you all are onto something. Need a better mic. Thanks.
But canyone share a specific vocal chain for future ref.
thanks

in addition to better mic, add a better mic pre..

[H20nly]

that's it... that's your chain.

mic > pre-amp > mixer/interface > PC > Live

toss a compressor and/or some reverb on the track if you need more comfortable levels while recording. when you're done remove them (the comp and verb) or adjust to taste in the mix.


i use an Audio Technica 3035 and Se Reflexion filter behind it.

http://www.seelectronics.com/rf.html

[Theo Void]

Nice. ! Guess Ill be dropping some dough on this stuff. Def a necessity.
Thanks everyone

[atlaskk]

The SM58 will cut out some of your highs and also lead to a lot of your personality and tonal inflections getting lost in the mix. Upgrade to a large diaphragm condenser and you'll be surprised on how much better it sounds.

[crumhorn]

Check out basic microphone technique as well. Just changing the distance and angle of the mic or moving to a different location in the room can have a significant effect on the end result.

Mic position can effect the way you sing as well. Most people sing best when standing up with their head thrown slightly back. I've seen loads of bad performances caused by the singer having to stoop or singing over the top of the mic which is basically pointing up their nose