When Your Recording Is Bad?

[FermataWordplA]

Alright, so uh... I recorded some rap verses, and they all sound awful. Like, unspeakably awful. So unspeakably awful I'm hesitant to even put them up for critique. I honestly don't know how much of it can be attributed to my voice, which is kind of breathy and weak. I don't know how much of it can be attributed to the fact that I'm recording through a really old version of Garageband (the soundcard/recorder I'm using is new, if that helps). I don't know how much of it is in the fact that I also used this old Garageband version to arrange the instrumentals (this is a cover/parody, no original beats).

The version my computer is recording through is 3.0.5, my recorder is a lexicon Alpha 2.0, the mic is a Starpower SP-1. What I need to know is if my bad sound is in any way technical from this information, or if I really just have that bad a voice? I'm totally new to this, so I don't know how hardware affects my output from experience.

[Kopachris]

Add a bunch of effects to make it sound even worse, tell everyone it was on purpose, and add the word "experimental" to your genre. That's about all you can do, really. There's no way to make a bad recording sound good except to try recording it again. There's also no way for us to tell if it's the equipment or your voice without hearing the recording.

[FermataWordplA]

Pfft. I would totally do that.

Okay, so I got it on Soundcloud. Turns out it's even WORSE than I originally thought, the levels are really bad and I can hardly hear anything (almost a good thing, all things considered). If you want to listen and get a better idea, please go ahead, but I take no responsibility for you hating me for subjecting you to this mess.

http://soundcloud.com/anfernee-antonio/dont-like-test

[Kopachris]

Don't worry--no hate.

The only thing wrong (that I can tell) with your recording setup is that you should probably be using a pop filter (if you're not already). I hate to say it, but I think it's probably your voice. Working on your enunciation would improve it immensely, and your rhythm could be clearer as well.

[Dabrenn]

Like Kopachris said, definitely work on your Enunciation. OVER enunciate, exaggerated your mouth movements and everything.

Also, it sounds like you're in a room, and you're trying to be really quiet and hope nobody in your house can hear you, its soft and has no emotion in it whatsoever.

I'd recommend moving away from the mic a little bit, trying it a lot louder, enunciate more, and generally work on being a little less monotone.

I'm no expert, I'm bad at anything vocal myself, but I hope I helped a little!

[FermataWordplA]

Yup. I figured my diction was the problem. The problem there is, that I am exaggerating my enunciation in that recording. I think there's some more exaggeration I could do, so I'll see into that. I'll also try to be louder. And a pop filter, I'm trying to build a makeshift one for myself.

I have a problem with emotion in my voice though. I have a really weirdly pitched speaking voice, and it's squeaky and annoying at the range where I can really express my emotional range. Which is better to work with, low but not annoying or high and annoying but able to express a range of emotion?

Thanks for the input, everyone! I'm surprised this many people responded, actually. As Kyoga said, I'm sure I can get a stronger voice with practice. I'll sit on the project and keep hammering away at it until I've got some kind of good flowing voice.

[Navron]

Emotion is the basis behind all music. If your voice gets squeaky and high when you're full of emotion, then let that be a characteristic in your rapping.

As others said, it's not really your voice that's hampering you. Just listening to the recording, I can tell you've got a decent voice for rap, and while your setup could likely use a few tricks to optimize recording, it just simply sounds like you're holding back.

Rap ain't about holdin back, dawg!

[vladnuke]

Gotta go full out. Can't be too quiet. Also fix up your lyrics. I think it would be better with better lyrics.

[FermataWordplA]

Man, I actually thought the lyrics were alright. Not the best wordplay, but okay for my first run around. Could it be much tighter and to the point? Yes. But I don't have that sort of lyrical genius. Yet. There is a reason my name is what it is.

And yeah, if I gotta be louder then so be it!