Tips for Rap recording / what effects to use (autotune??)

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i have recorded about 400 freestyles, and just started making actual songs, and would any tips from anyone who knows shit about making it sound professional

I am using Garageband, and the mic on my macbook pro, i have a real studio mic, but dont know how to hook it to my computer (its MIDI, idk how to USB-ize it)

Should i use autotune on the verses? Just Chorus, none?
What effects can i use to make my voice sound like... smoother.. more prooooo

any resources/advice is appreciated yo

working on this now, doesn't sound professional enough though,

http://www.mediafire.com/file/muwnzzjjncm/I Love High School PREVIEW.mp3

(note there is some autotune on my voice on this, but not in the intro)

Mar 13 2010 8:56PM

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prontocuts.com

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A midi mic? no such thing. Midi is just a bunch of numbers and crap to tell the computer what to do. Maybe you are confused with XLR?

Mar 13 2010 8:58PM

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prontocuts.com

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Also you need a audio interface to hook it up. As far as effects just look for reverb and compressors and crap for post production.

Garageband also has auto tune built in

but dont use autotune

Mar 13 2010 8:59PM

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DouglasFRESH

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yeah i think you are right man. i know nothing about this stuff. it just said MIDI output and it has like some connector i have never seen

Mar 13 2010 9:00PM

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Dan.

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is it a round 3 pronged connector?

Mar 13 2010 9:01PM

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DouglasFRESH

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yeah, its the regular one that all studio stuff has, id really like to use it, its a really nice condenser mic, its got a gold plated something XD

Mar 13 2010 9:06PM

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Dan.

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like srslyfrsh said, you need an interface. if you want something cheap, I'd recommend either a Native Kontrol Audio 1, or an maudio firebox. both have their fair share of haters, but I've used both at times and have never had problems with either

Mar 13 2010 9:08PM

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OhMyBosh

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Dont use autotune?

Mar 13 2010 9:10PM

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DouglasFRESH

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thanks man, ill look em up, im pretty much broke so the cheapest will prob be what i get

Mar 13 2010 9:11PM

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prontocuts.com

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ive got a tc electronix desktop connect and I love it

and id say the audio 1 is better than the m audio

if anything, go for an apogee

Mar 13 2010 9:13PM

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Dan.

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the audio 1 is also cheaper.

Mar 13 2010 9:14PM

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panojibber

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I highly suggest you take some basic piano/keyboard lessons if you don't have previous musical knowledge. Will help you a ton.

You'll need an interface as mentioned.

Practise is the key to making yourself sound good - you can record stuff, but mixing and effects is a whole different world. Its going to take a looooooong time before you get this on lock - you're questionable is comparable to teaching yourself piano and then trying to write a symphony. It just doesn't work that way, but with time and effort you'll get there.

Also, experiment with different tones and ways to say words - its important to play around.

And don't be afraid to be original. If you can't sound like biggie, you can still sound like YOU. Thats whats important - rapping is self-expression, its not meant to be gangster or thug or to talk shit. Its an artistic medium just as much as poetry or painting.

Mar 13 2010 9:18PM

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prontocuts.com

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m audios drivers make me angry face

Mar 13 2010 9:22PM

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Proze

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Dude DEATH TO AUTOTUNE... voice distortions and scantily clad females are slowly but surely killing hip hop music

Mar 13 2010 10:24PM

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panojibber

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Its very difficult to hit pitches well without either formal vocal training or autotune. Or a shit ton of practise with a chromatic tuner.

Mar 13 2010 10:27PM

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Arabian.

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God forbid he should actually PRACTICE to get good at his art...

Mar 13 2010 10:30PM

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prontocuts.com

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hip hop is killing hip hop

Mar 13 2010 10:32PM

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SirFryanator

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Here is my studio without any of my instruments:

Make sure that you have all the echoing removed as much as you can with soft objects such as pillows or styrofoam or something to block the sound waves. You can play around with (boost treble, lower mids/bass) after you record. If you have any questions hit me up, I'm tired and I didnt read your whole post.

Mar 13 2010 10:33PM

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prontocuts.com

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since we be showing setups now, i always put this in

Mar 13 2010 10:36PM

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DouglasFRESH

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yeah i totally agree, like the 400 songs besides the link i posted 0 of them have autotune, but the thing is my voice sounds terrible, legitly, i have a the worst singing voice, and it wont get anywhere in the real world without doing something to at least make it sound, well, presentable

Mar 13 2010 11:09PM

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