Setting Up The Unit For Recording; Obtaining A Good Quality Vocal Sound - Focusrite VoiceMaster Guia Del Usuario

Setting up the Unit for
Recording
Condensor
Mics
Dynamic
When recording, it is better to record the best possible
signal without over-committing to any particular sound.
This gives you the option to adjust the sound when mixing
down, in context with everything else.
1. Set the operating level using the Discrete Transistor
Input.
2. Ensure that the microphone placement is correct. Before
you start recording, listen to the sound from the
microphones with all parts of the VoiceMaster™
switched off (In buttons not lit), and modify the
microphone placement until you get close to the sound
you want.
3. If required, add compression using the Opto-
Compressor, ensuring that you use the Output control
to restore the signal to its original volume.When setting
compression, it is usually better to apply too little than
too much - have the threshold quite high, and do not to
use the Hard Ratio.
4. If necessary, use the Voice Optimised EQ to set the
correct tone quality.
5. If necessary, use the Noise Reducing Expander and the
Opto De-esser to remove any unwanted elements.
Unless you are very sure of what you are doing, do
not use the Noise Reducing Expander in Gate mode
while recording.
6. If you are looking for a classic analogue tape sound, use
the Vocal Saturator.
7. Use the Master Fader to set the final output level, if
required.
Obtaining a Good Quality Vocal
Sound
Microphone Positioning
Mics
For a natural sound with no pops, position the microphone
as follows:
This is a different technique from singing on stage, where
the vocalist usually sings with the microphone touching his
or her lips, so your vocalist may find it hard working so far
from the mic. If this affects the performance (or if the vocal
sounds weak), allow the vocalist to use his or her normal
technique, but use a pop filter on the mic and use the Filter
in the Discrete Transistor Input to remove excessive bass.
Using Compression
If the vocalist is having difficulty staying a constant distance
from the microphone, the recorded performance will get
softer and louder as the distance from the mic varies.To
even out variations in level, use the Opto-Compressor set
to the following:
Depending on the variation in the vocalist's level, you may
need to reduce the Threshold control until the vocal level
sounds consistent.
If the vocalist's performance is very dynamic, going from
soft to very loud, use the Opto-Compressor set to the
following:
Compression avoids overloading the next stage during the
loud parts of the performance. Release time is set as short
as possible, to avoid compressing the quiet parts of the
performance.
Improving Sound Quality
You can use the VoiceMaster™ to fix the following
problems with a vocal sound:
Muddy: Use the Warmth control in the Voice Optimised
EQ to remove some of the low frequencies. Solo the
track, set the Warmth control on full cut, and adjust the
E n g l i s h
page 8