What is a good software for recording vocals?

Doug Rolfe · Post by **Doug Rolfe** » 12 Jan 2011 7:20 am

Hey you guys and gals in the know, what is a good quality software program that I could use to record vocals? What other equipment do I need besides software? I would like to record several tracks of my own voice and blend them into a harmonizing final track. I will be using prerecorded tracks for the music. Thanks a bunch.

jolynyk · Post by **jolynyk** » 12 Jan 2011 8:10 am

Audacity, free..
Pro Tools
Mixcraft
Sonar
Cubase

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 13 Jan 2011 12:24 am

The free software will record fine.
PC has Audacity etc. Mac comes with Garage Band.

The quality of your recording will be more likely due to the mic and preamp used than the software itself.

Get the best mic you can afford even if its just an SM58.
Get the best audio interface you can.
Firewire is faster but USB will work.
There are many good audio input units like M-Box you can get relatively cheap.

Or, a USB direct to computer type mic would be a suitable compromise in lieu of a separate audio interface.

Clete

Doug Rolfe · Post by **Doug Rolfe** » 13 Jan 2011 6:37 am

What does the audio interface do? What are some that are available? Does the SM58 do a pretty good job? As you can see I do not know much about how to get my voice into a program and then be able to edit the track. Thanks for all of the input.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 13 Jan 2011 8:26 am

Doug Rolfe wrote:What does the audio interface do? What are some that are available?

It converts the signal from analog to digital (in), or D to A (out).
Your computer already (99% probability) has a built in audio interface. There is probably a mic input (light green). So to get started, all you really need is to download Audacity (free) and get a mic.
When you want to move up to professional sound quality, then you can buy an audio interface (USB, Firewire, or PCI) ($100 to $8000)
Wikipedia has a good article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card

Doug Rolfe · Post by **Doug Rolfe** » 13 Jan 2011 10:03 am

Thanks for the info. I appreciate all of the input.

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 14 Jan 2011 2:39 am

Doug Rolfe wrote:...Does the SM58 do a pretty good job?...

The Shure SM58 is a standard vocal mic ($100 new) which will do a fine job.
The singing part is up to you.

Clete

Doug Rolfe · Post by **Doug Rolfe** » 14 Jan 2011 5:11 am

You can only do so much with the equipment. So now is the time for frustration to not sound like yourself but instead to sound you think you sound!!! I've sung in many quartets across the years and know that it takes alot of hard work to sound decent and also get a good blend. I'm hoping that I can blend with myself and make it sound ok. Keep the info coming. Can you name some inexpensive audio interfaces available, or if I have it on my computer, what would it titled?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 17 Jan 2011 4:57 am

Just remember, recorders or PC Software packages are non discriminating. They don't care what you record.

The learning curve is exactly the same for vocals or Instruments and you must understand whats in front of you, hardware and software. Free, cheap or expensive.

If the goal is simple recording of a track or two my recommendation and long time recording experience with workstations and PC platforms says get a small 4 or 8 track workstation such as a Boss. They are easy to use, easy to set up and offer very nice results.

There really is no such thing as a small PC package just to record vocals. Once you start down the PC DAW road you have to travel the whole distance.

For players who have limited or possibly NO recording exposure, going the PC DAW route I think is a mistake out of the gate. Starting out and using a small easy to use workstation that has PC connectability (USB) for backup and file transfer is really recommended. Once some experience is gained then move to a PC package.

A PC based package requires two things, a total understanding of your PC/hardware connections for the DAW and a full understanding of how the DAW functions.

Start on the easy road, move up from there.

just my take..

t

Doug Rolfe · Post by **Doug Rolfe** » 20 Jan 2011 6:55 am

I'm looking at some audio interface equipment and wonder if you have any input. Do any of you have any experience with M-audio interface products. Also do any of you use vocal harmonizers, and if so, what are your experiences with it. Thanks

Tony, I'm pretty much in a situation that I need to stay with my computer as much as possible to do the input recording as well as mixing. I appreciate all of the input here.

Doug Rolfe · Post by **Doug Rolfe** » 22 Jan 2011 5:28 am

I'm looking at a TC-Helicon voicelive 2 unit which provides a lot of vocal enhancements. It will pitch correct, provide a number of harmonies as well as reverb, etc. Have any of you had any experience with this unit or similar units?