Hi all!
I've been recording/mixing music for a while (2 years) and I've come across a very strange issue regarding the quality of my + my friend's vocal recordings. The issue manifests in an incredibly dry/raw sounding vocal, which after my standard chain of effects would make it sound thin and harsh. It's very strange as friends who carry similar or identical setups sound much better before and after mixing.
This sample of a track im working on has everyone using an at2020 as their mic, and a Scarlett Solo Gen 2, whereas my friend with the issue is using a Motu M2, but has tried using a 2nd and 3rd gen Scarlett.
There are 3 singers in this sample, (<<< google drive link with different forms of the audio issue)
and my friend with the harsh audio issues is the second vocalist heard (the first male voice). I also personally have this issue with my setup/recordings but I figured this specific part would be the best to represent the audio issues.
Me and my friend have had this for several months, and have tried:
Different interfaces: SSL2, Focusrite Scarlett Solo Gen 3, Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Gen 2, Komplete Audio 2, Motu M2
Different XLR cables + Different USB cables to connect to the interface itself
Different Microphones: 1 Blue Baby Bottle, 1 Blue Baby Bottle SL, Two Different AT2020's
Different Computers, AMD and Intel processors, all computers which should be much more than strong enough to run DAW's
Disabling Windows having the ability to shut down USB's to save power
Updating All USB drivers/Chipset on computer
Trying USB 2.0 ports vs 3.0 ports
Working with different sample rates 44100 & 48000 (of course making sure they are same within the DAW and Windows)
Reinstalling Interface Drivers + Using the ASIO4ALL Driver
Adjusting Buffer Sizes
Of course... Properly gain staging and singing from varied distances from the mic
Adjusting effects chain, but on a base level regardless of what effects and EQ to subvert the harshness, this issue is still existent unless I absolutely nerf the highs of my EQ's, making the effected vocals sound muddy and underwater at the most extreme of it.
Recording in different DAWs (ableton and reaper) and recording in Mono + Stereo.
From the friends we've asked in our circle, it seems like having this audio issue is very selective. In our entire circle, only me and my friend showcased in that audio clip has encountered an issue like this at all. Issue is more apparent after compression is placed upon the track, I've also shared an audio sample with only compression.
Any and all help is appreciated, this is my first post so please excuse me if something is amiss, thanks!
I've been recording/mixing music for a while (2 years) and I've come across a very strange issue regarding the quality of my + my friend's vocal recordings. The issue manifests in an incredibly dry/raw sounding vocal, which after my standard chain of effects would make it sound thin and harsh. It's very strange as friends who carry similar or identical setups sound much better before and after mixing.
This sample of a track im working on has everyone using an at2020 as their mic, and a Scarlett Solo Gen 2, whereas my friend with the issue is using a Motu M2, but has tried using a 2nd and 3rd gen Scarlett.
There are 3 singers in this sample, (<<< google drive link with different forms of the audio issue)
and my friend with the harsh audio issues is the second vocalist heard (the first male voice). I also personally have this issue with my setup/recordings but I figured this specific part would be the best to represent the audio issues.
Me and my friend have had this for several months, and have tried:
Different interfaces: SSL2, Focusrite Scarlett Solo Gen 3, Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Gen 2, Komplete Audio 2, Motu M2
Different XLR cables + Different USB cables to connect to the interface itself
Different Microphones: 1 Blue Baby Bottle, 1 Blue Baby Bottle SL, Two Different AT2020's
Different Computers, AMD and Intel processors, all computers which should be much more than strong enough to run DAW's
Disabling Windows having the ability to shut down USB's to save power
Updating All USB drivers/Chipset on computer
Trying USB 2.0 ports vs 3.0 ports
Working with different sample rates 44100 & 48000 (of course making sure they are same within the DAW and Windows)
Reinstalling Interface Drivers + Using the ASIO4ALL Driver
Adjusting Buffer Sizes
Of course... Properly gain staging and singing from varied distances from the mic
Adjusting effects chain, but on a base level regardless of what effects and EQ to subvert the harshness, this issue is still existent unless I absolutely nerf the highs of my EQ's, making the effected vocals sound muddy and underwater at the most extreme of it.
Recording in different DAWs (ableton and reaper) and recording in Mono + Stereo.
From the friends we've asked in our circle, it seems like having this audio issue is very selective. In our entire circle, only me and my friend showcased in that audio clip has encountered an issue like this at all. Issue is more apparent after compression is placed upon the track, I've also shared an audio sample with only compression.
Any and all help is appreciated, this is my first post so please excuse me if something is amiss, thanks!