Auto-tune as a learning tool
Michael4000
STREAMING PRO Posts: 1,028
Right now all of my recordings are done on my crude cell phone microphone. I'm considering changing my recording to a computer software program interface and using auto-tune, not to "cheat" but as a learning tool. I'm thinking it could help in a few ways. I would be able to hear what my voice should sound like if I am hitting the pitches correctly. It could help me identify exactly where I am singing off pitch. Also I could listen back to a part that didn't sound good and know that the issue is something other than pitch, it could help me better identify problems that are not pitch related. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this or what are your opinions on my idea?
Comments
I am pretty sure most major DAW's have them built in, but if you need a free one then you can use Audacity's.
As far as auto-tune goes. I think you would be fooling around with it more than it would be beneficial to your singing. (I'm also biased against auto-tune so take what I say for what it's worth.
Your pitch isn't bad now, and when you start getting the hang of all the different techniques working together, pitch should no longer be a problem.
Peace, Tony
It tells me when I am hitting each note onto the shelf, or if I am being sloppy and glissing my way up.
It will also show you what individual notes you are hitting.
Check it out
I really missed you this time.
Doc
@videoace Right now I have a Shure SM58 mic and a Yamaha mixer (EMX512SC). Do you think I need additional equipment for the pre-amp set up you suggested?
I'm not using a laptop/desktop computer to record, just my cell phone video camera. Do you all recommend switching to a laptop and using software?
@HuduVudu @doc_ramadani any suggestions?
If you are going to use your phone, they have stereo mics just for that which in turn you can unplug the mics, and get specialty cables to run your mixing board into your phone.
If you look those mics up you will see what I mean.
For a computer, you can get a cheap pre-amp (two channel) for around $100, and they usually come with multi tracking software.
Peace
I learned I didn't like it ha ha. (Sorry, had to throw that in there)
Peace
If you use the phone to make videos for critique only, then I would just stick with the phone, but if you want good sounding recordings to save or make cd's to keep a record of your singing then I would look into getting a small 4-8 track recorder, or get the pre-amp for computer recording.
There are a lot of different options out there for stand alone multi trackers, computer recording, and accessories for the phone.
It really depends on what you want to do.
Peace
if you just want to record your vocals by themselves, there´s really no use to do that you could only record it with the phones mic
if you want to record over a Karaoke or something and you are capable of doing it on the phone, and you actually have the mixing board, (btw what mixing board is it?) im not really used to work my recording over the phone unless i am recording an idea and thats it, but i believe you could, if you can get a two track software like garage band (again not sure how advance the software in in the phone, but if it is what i think, it could be done let me check a couple of things
garage band
if you have this stuff already
you need
anu interface and here youll know what you need
https://www.amazon.com/Saramonic-SmartMixer-Professional-Microphone-Smartphones/dp/B014Q9YUKG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1545187238&sr=8-7&keywords=android+stereo+microphone
You can unplug the mics, and use a cable that's 1/4" on one side, and an 1/8" on the other. The 1/4" goes from your mixers outputs, and run the 1/8" into the stereo mic inputs. It's even a mixer, so it has all you need.
Peace
Here is my rationale for doing this. The way I'm making YouTube videos now is that I'm singing through my Shure microphone which is going through my mixer and coming out the speakers. But ultimately the smart phone's internal microphone is what is picking everything up. I'm assuming that this is nullifying any equipment I'm using and that the recording as I'm doing it now would be no different if I just sang into the air and the smartphone recorded it. Am I correct in making this assumption? Do you think going in direct wired from an external source will make a difference?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2014/dec/04/can-i-use-an-external-microphone-to-make-recordings-on-a-smartphone
You can get them from $250 on up. Most of the multi trackers today come with all of the effects you will ever need right in the machine itself.
You plug in whatever you want to record, activate the track, hit record, and play. That's it. After you record your track, you can do anything you want to it with effects, etc....
But that would be for the songs you want to sound really good. For exercise critiques, I would just keep doing what you do now.
I do believe that you can create videos on youtube with the studio creator. That way you can combine the polished audio with your cell phone video.
Peace
They look like little mixing boards but do a lot more than just mix. Tascam, Fostex, Zoom, Boss, Korg, all have decent multi trackers. I use a Zoom R8 myself. I do believe that FuriousPhil also owns a Zoom R8.
It's quick, and easy.
Peace
Peace
Also the mic built in to your phone is comparable to a lavalier mic like news casters use and they are mainly for speaking.
I'm sure there are a ton of gadgets for the phone, just make sure you research before you buy so you get what you need.
Peace, Tony
Peace
My digital piano is a Williams (Guitar Center's brand $250)
Zoom R8 multitrack recorder ($300)
Sure SM58 ($100)
Peace
Peace, Tony
https://www.amazon.com/IK-Multimedia-channel-professional-interface/dp/B0148JMEEI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545252002&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=irig+pro+duo+android&psc=1
That is your main concern I do believe?
My video camera has 2 xlr inputs so I can run my mixing board directly into it if I need to, but I'm not sure how this unit will work with video at the same time.
Peace
You could always buy what is called a DI box, but it would only increase the signal by a little bit with RCA's as the starting point.
The main outs on a powered mixer pump out too much wattage to connect to a cell phone, and you would be limited with the rec out jacks.
I have two mixers. A 22 channel board for my live set up, and a 4 channel for recording. Neither are powered.
One thing I've been thinking about is: How are you going to monitor the sound going into the actual phone? all you will hear is what is going into the device that's before the phone.
Peace
Peace
A powered mixers outputs pump out too much wattage. The circuitry in the phone mixer can't handle that much wattage pumping into it. That's why they have separate recording outputs on the powered mixer.
You want the "power" after the mixer, not before it, so using a powered mixer to pump into a non powered mixer would probably fry the channel out on the non powered mixer.
The proper way to set up a powered mixer with a non powered mixer is to have the non powered mixer first in the chain, and run that into the powered mixer. What you want to do is the opposite.
I know it's probably confusing ha ha, but thats the gist of it.
Peace
Place those mics in front of your PA speakers and then do everything as a live situation as you are doing now. The closer you place the mics to the speakers, the less room noise you will record, but don't place the mics facing directly at the cone of the PA speakers.
Place them at the same angle as the cone itself pointed towards the center.
Peace
https://www.amazon.com/Saramonic-SmartMixer-Professional-Microphone-Smartphones/dp/B014Q9YUKG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1545187238&sr=8-7&keywords=android+stereo+microphone
Your PA speakers have circuitry That allow it to handle the wattage, but a non powered mixer doesn't.
Peace
But if you were to touch the same two wires not connected to power................
Same thing
Peace
peace
Sorry for so many questions in a row.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MacroMixd1--art-macromix-personal-mixer?mrkgcl=28&mrkgadid=3278385271&rkg_id=0&product_id=MacroMixd1&campaigntype=shopping&campaign=aaShopping+-+High&adgroup=Live+Sound+&+Lighting&placement=google&adpos=1o2&creative=146356081832&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAiA9efgBRAYEiwAUT-jtAEmyPB_JTntXqM1R26cEpCn95wARJv5G_ElvBsCs1N7Kl4nxA4MShoCJdgQAvD_BwE
The Yamaha MG series is decent, and comes in a variety of numbered channels. (Mine is actually a 6 channel, but only has 4 main inputs.)
Mackie makes a good mixer.
Behringer is easy on price.
For what you need, a 4 channel would work. two channels for stereo music, one channel for the mic, and one for an instrument.
Just make sure the mixer isn't powered.
Peace
Peace
Peace
Peace, Tony
Peace
Only use that output though or you will regret it lol.
Peace
Peace
Doc
I use mine not only with my recorder, but I also use it to run from my recorder to my cd burner to get a nice final sound on my mix. It's nice to have, and it's built really well. You will see when you get yours.
Peace, Tony
What you can do now that you have a non powered mixer is go from the powered mixers rec outs into the yamaha (the yamaha has nice pre amps, and a decent EQ), and from the yamaha into the phone mixer.
I know it seems like a pain, but if you have effects on the powered mixer, that is a way you can utilize them.
Just make sure you are getting a good signal/sound at each link of the chain.
If you need help with how to do that, just let me know. It's pretty simple.
Peace
It's a nice sounding little mixer. Well worth having for a lot of different applications.
I use mine for recording, and I can use the XLR main outs to run directly into my video camera which is nice.
Peace