Trying to record vocals...
 

Hi all!

Here's my situation:

I have no professional music experience, except for some voice lessons I took when I was about thirteen years old. My teacher had told me that 'within a year I would be ready for competitions'. Unfortunately he had to move away and we never finished that. In the years since I haven't sung much, except for a bit of karaoke...and in the shower, hahaha. I think I sound good but I'm sure everyone thinks that! So it comes down to: I love singing, but don't know for sure if I'm any good. Still want to try!

My set up is: A Roland KC-350 amp, a Shure SM58 microphone, and I have either an Asus laptop or a desktop I built with my man at my disposal. They just have standard soundcards.

When I ran my first little recording, I plugged the mic into the amp, then the amp into the computer with a 1/4" to a 1/8" adapter. And it didn't sound good at all! Kind of as if I was using a webcam or headset mic to record--but I had unplugged all of those first to make sure it was only the Shure mic I was using.

I fully realize it could be me as a singer just sucking, but I want to make sure it's not my set up. I have been reading some how-to guides online and have read about equipment such as the mixing console and pre-amps. I'm not sure if my Roland amp would do that job right. Can someone provide some advice?

Additionally, I was looking at the MiC by Apogee, since I have an iPhone 4s. Has anyone used one of these that could tell me how good it is? Can you work on the resulting recordings with a PC? I might consider an option like this if I'd need more equipment anyway, since my Roland amp is HUGE.

Thanks so much for help and patience with a newb!!!

~ onelildustbunni

Keep at it.
 

hey whats up. i have never heard you sing before, but i'm sure that if you have a good set up then you wouldn't be writing this post, but the good news is i think i know where you are at in the vocals area. heres the thing..i would simply keep working at your voice everyday learning vocal techniques and stuff and then get into the technical aspect and areas of the recording sessions you are getting into. you would be surprised how terrible some of these artists are but managed to perfect their vocals using sophisticated software just keep at it. persistence is key.

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wolvofficial

Hi!

I think I solved my problem. I was running the system through my laptop before. I tried plugging it into my desktop and doing a little demo yesterday. And it didn't turn out absolutely terrible! I think my laptop sound card is inadequate for recording vocals...the desktop one might be a little better.

For sure I know practice is key! I'll keep going since now with the different set-up I feel I have some potential, lol. I'm not looking at music as a career but rather as a hobby, which I think is the best way to have fun at what you enjoy doing :D

I'd still like to know if anyone is willing to tell me:

1) Has anyone tried the MiC by Apogee?
2) If I wanted to use something different as a pre-amp or mixer (rather than my HUGGGEEEE roland amp), what would be a good set-up?
3) What is a good sound card for desktops and for laptops, for recording vocals?

I'll just clarify on my interests:
-I'm most interested in electronic/dubstep style music
- I might want to do some rock-style

So I'm not against applying some effects to my voice. As this is for fun I don't need top-top grade studio quality, but I'd like the best I could achieve on a smaller budget :o)

Thanks for any and all help!

Good thread I ain't even no the sound card had to much to do with it

If your plugging your mic into an amp i guess your using an xlr to jack?
and you're probably hearing yourself out of the amp as well ?

1) DONT USE AN AMP USE A SOUND CARD
get a cheap M-Audio box it'll make a world of difference
what are you recording onto? A daw?

using cables like jack to mini jack will not be good for your recording.
plus the latency you will discover will be so bad.

An Sm58 is a good starting mic not the best for recording vocals mainly a live vocal mic but it's good enough

just spend a little bit of money and buy a sound card and plug your mic via xlr into the soundcard (Which will connect to your laptop/desktop via usb)