not the greatest, but it's my first attempt!!!
http://home.earthlink.net/~jillhumb/id0.html

only one song there, done on my psr2100

Thanks,

Jill

Jill,
Wonderful playing and singing! My only critic is that the vocal is somewhat distorted, yet for my preferences could be a little more "up front" particularly in the middle frequencies.
Do you want a job? No, I'll bet you have plenty!
DonM

Thanks Don - I agree on the vocals, i'm using that freebie recording software, so probably isn't the best, so we're fooling with it a bit, this certainly isn't my area of expertise!! I've never had the ability to record like this before, so it's all new to me!

That's one reason I need to put a cd together, I am "looking" for work right now!!

I'll keep trying till I get it right !!!

Does the software you use to record have a huge impact? Anyone??

Thanks,

Jill

I use Nero. It allows quite a bit of editing of the WAV file. I usually "optimize" each song so they all come out relatively the same volume, regardless of when you recorded them.
You can also analize the wav file and it will show you if certain frequencies are loud enough to distort. This will show you where to adjust the e.q. on your system, or vocals.
I must play your song for my wife when she gets back. She is a big Carpenters fan.
DonM

Jill,
You really have a great voice! Yes, there is some distortion via the recording process, but the quality of your voice still came across. Tell us a bit more about the musical backing. You said it was done on your 2100. Is it a commercially generated MIDI or just what? Keep going with the recording efforts. I'm anxious to hear your next one. I'll bet you'll solve the distortion problem soon.
Paul C.

thanks guys - don that info helps alot.

It was a midi I took down to bare bones, then rebuilt a bit, so I can play the piano "live". I added in the background vocals just putting on another track, using the voices/ instrument sounds, so the vocalizer is not being used on this song, but that is my next project!!!

I'll try fooling with the wave file, since I have it in wave format too, and seeing if I can't see where that distortion is in this software.

As always, this place is SOOO helpful!

Thanks a bunch!

Jill

Jill...
I agree with all the above. The quality of your voice is very apparant despite the distortion...the midi and keyboard work you did nailed it. Great job.
Eddie

I have to agree too. A friend uses Cool Edit Pro 2 recording guitar and singing. What I´ve heard it works great. Too bad it´s not a freebie...

Nice work!

Hi Jill,
Really enjoyed your performance of 'Only just Begun'. It is such a shame that the vocals were distorted .....it was good but would probably been brilliant without the fuzz

I use Cool Edit Pro for recording. I find it really simple to use and when you have a voice like mine the really good effects on it are most useful

I had a look to see if they did a demo version so you could try it ...which they do. I did not know until I looked but Adobe have bought out the company so now cool edit pro is called Adobe Audition! you can find a demo version that lasts for thirty days here...
http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jhtml#product=92

It is quite large (30 odd m/b) So I hope you have dsl or cable!

Alternatively there is a really good multi track prog called N-Track Studio which I always used to use that is every bit as useable as cool edit. The difference is that cool edit cost about $299 whereas N-track costs $45 to register. They also do a demo version at ....
http://www.fasoft.com/

It would be a crime not to have you record your music at it's best. You have a really nice voice. Also both the above progs will convert to any of the current music standards like mp3 or wav so they really do everything you need in one package!

Keep those files coming
Very best wishes to you
Tony


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http://www.tonywmusic.co.uk

Jill,

I do not believe the problem is in the software. I believe the problem has to do with the signal all the way from the mic to the pre-amp to the sound card.

Question:

1) What Mic are you using?
2) Are you connecting the Mic directly to the sound card?
3) What sound card are you using?
4) How are you controling the gain and the levels of the input to the computer?

These things are what matters. By the way, what keyboard are you using and are you using the vocal harmonizer input?

Jill...

Nice Job....

But watch you levels its a bit distrorted on my end.

I'm using a Shure 57 mic, plugged right in to the keyboard, not the sound card.
I'm on a PSR2100, not using the vocalizer on this song.

We did not change any of the eq settings for the mic from the 2100, but I think this is where we should start.

I also appreciate the guidance on the software from everyone, as I said, this recording stuff is all new to me, so I'm trying to learn as I go, and your assistance and comments here are invaluable to me!

Jill

Hi Again
sk880user, I do not think the software is to blame for the distorted vocal, seems to me that the levels were too high on the mic setting.

I suggested the above software (or any like them) because:
a) you can record the keyboard track(s) seperatley from the vocal

b) you can then alter levels either at the board, mixer or with the software to record the vocal track then readjust the levels of all tracks to get a decent mix

c) there are level indicators with the software so that you can SEE exactly where the prob lies on the fly as it were! Just a bit of tweaking and away you go.

Tony



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http://www.tonywmusic.co.uk

I think you are right Tony, we need to work on the mic/eq settings. Since I'm plugging the mic into the 2100, and not to the soundcard, this is where I can adjust the freq's and such. I am going to try downloading a demo of the n track studio today, give a look/see!

Since I basically recorded that song "live" - i.e., playing and singing at the same time, would I be better off in the future recording two tracks (keyboard then vocals) for better editing/mixing??


Thanks!

Jill

Jill,

You did a good job ! (good vocals)
In your first attempt the overall recording level was too high.... not only the microphone.

Just lower your main volume-slider of the 2100 about 25% and it sounds OK. If the vocals (microphone) does not decrease in volume with the main-adjustment lower the mike-level with about 20%.

Roel

Jill,
Did you record from the RCA outputs or the 1/4" outputs?
I find that the RCA outputs (not controlled by the volume knob) give a very reliable signal for recording. Then just adjust the inputs at the recorder.
Also you might try turning on the compressor/limiter in the 2100 mic section.
DonM

Hi Jill,

Yes I find it much easier to do the sepaerate tracks and then mix everything in. Also you are virtually unlimited in the amount of tracks you can record so I usually start of by playing a backing sequence and record that to the first track.

This gives me a kind of template to build everything else around. Then I will record the main vocal track. I am not a very good singer so this gives me the chance to concentrate on the singing rather than trying to play well at te same time! Also if I make a mistake with the vocal (which happens fairly often ) I can scrub it without losing my other tracks and I am not starting all over again from scratch.

Also if I needed the volume way up on the board to record the backing but need it quiter for the vocal I can then turn the main volume down on the board so that the levels are better even before it gets to the pc. If the vocal is then too quiet you can raise the volume later. If you keep your eye on the level indicators on the software and make sure it is not blasting the bars into the red then you are on the right road! If it is blasting the bars to red just reduce the volume on your board until it doesn't!

When I am satisfied with the vocal I then record any other harmony vocals etc on another track.

If I want any other instruments to break in say on a break in the vocal or as further backing I record these to their own tracks as well. ie: a piano instrumental on one track and then maybe some soft strings on another track,

Then the fun bit begins..... I bring up the software mixing panel and like on a hardware mixer you can bring tracks forward in the mix or set them back. It is amazing how much difference it can make having control over all the individual parts.

It is also really addictive trying to get the sound better everytime you record something I am not an expert by any means and have only learned what to do by trial and error and with the advice of peeps on this board.

Hope you like N-Track. I used it for ages before getting Cool Edit and still keep N-Track on my pc because I like some of the effects. If you need any help configuring it or have any questions just shout up either here or mail me and I would be happy to help.
Good luck
Very best to you
Tony

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http://www.tonywmusic.co.uk

I used the rca, the L/R pigtailed outputs with an extension to go to my computer.

I will definitely be recording the tracks singularyly next time as you do Don, to give me that extra control over each part, which I didn't do last time.

Jill

Here is my recommendation at least for the LONG run:

Get a mixer such as:

Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO Micro Mixer ($400)

If you want, you can get something cheaper from Behringer.

Whatever you do that will be the first and the best investment towards quality recording.

I am sure others will also add other good advice about this.

Jill,
That was Tony that records the tracks individually. I don't have time! I just play the song and sing and record into the Nomad Jukebox in one take. If it's no good I delete it!
One of these days I'll take the time to multitrack an album. I have all the gear, but I'm too busy trying to earn a living!
DonM

Sorry for the late reply! I am really impressed with your voice. (the problem is definitely w/ levels, same thing happened to me, use something like Cubase, very very powerful for this type of thing not to confusing) Keep uploading songs, I would really love to hear some more?? Good work!

Ses