greg54 Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 (edited) All of a sudden my vocals sound harsh. I replaced cables, tried different mics, and even tried a new mic preamp. Nothing helps. I'm out of ideas. Anyone have a suggestion of what could cause this? Edited October 10 by greg54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Kelley Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 (edited) What mic and preamp are you using? It's probably something as simple as you have the gain cranked up too high but the mic could be failing too. And define “harsh.” Edited October 10 by Terry Kelley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg54 Posted October 10 Author Share Posted October 10 I've been using a Stam SA87 and a Dachman 87, both very good mics. Mic preamps are Warm Audio. The other thing I forgot to mention is that the signal isn't as hot. I've had to turn the gain up a bit more. However, the harshness is there at any level. I'm not sure I can accurately describe harshness. But the vocal track, which is usually darker without eq, is now brighter and not smooth or warm. Adding eq makes the harshness worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmcleod Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 Have you inadvertently turned on high pass (either on the mic or the pre-amp) ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg54 Posted October 10 Author Share Posted October 10 Ah, yes. I realized that the high pass filter is on with the mic. Not sure, though, if it would create the issues I'm having. I will turn it off and record vocals and see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg54 Posted October 10 Author Share Posted October 10 It helped a little, but the output isn't as loud as it should be. Something is wrong, but I don't know what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg54 Posted October 10 Author Share Posted October 10 The other problem is excessive sibilance all of a sudden. That's part of the harshness. A de-esser doesn't solve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmcleod Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 Do your microphones have switchable patterns? If you're used to using cardioid, you'll be used to getting a proximity effect which boosts bass frequencies giving a fuller sound. If you've switched it to something else, like omni or figure of 8, that could explain the difference in sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg54 Posted October 10 Author Share Posted October 10 I've checked it and it's set to cardioid. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg54 Posted October 10 Author Share Posted October 10 I think I may have found the issue. I've been hearing some noise lately that's been coming through both the monitors and headphones. I don't know why, but I ignored it, thinking it was the house's electrical static. I've had a cable plugged into input 1 for guitar. I decided to unplug it...dead quiet. And the vocals sound good with a higher output. Thanks for the help! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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