Which recording software is best for blending vocals with the song to sound professional & not home-recorded?

Question

I have a fairly good mic ($75 value), but when I record it seems my voice and the song are still on two different levels when playing at the same time. When I listen to other home-recorded songs from other unknown artists, theirs sound well blended and like a "radio ready" song. How can I record with a more "blended" sounds without having to play around with a lot of settings? (I'm not a sound engineer - just an aspiring musician desperately trying to get my MySpace Music page up :-) ). Thanks.

Answer 1

Make sure each of your instruments (including vocals) are recorded onto a seperate track (in home-studios this probably means one-at-a-time), that way when it comes time to mix them, you can adjust each element as it relates to the others throughout the song.
The downside to recording like this, is you may very likely lose that "live" feel in the song

The other option is more microphones, positioned carefully (a lot of trial-and-error) to primarily pick up each instrument as it is performed. This way everyone can perform together and lay down the basic tracks (you could always go back in later and add more tracks to embellish or enhance the song)

Since audio engineering is not your interest, I'd say go with option 1 and record each track seperately, you will have more/easier control.

There are many multitrack software programs out there. (Cubase, Logic, Abelton Live, Garageband etc.) but if you want something that is low-cost/free, you might try Audacity or Goldwave.

Also, I'd suggest grabbing a book on home-recording basics (even one of the dummy books) which will at least give you some tips/tricks to keep in mind when recording, mixing and mastering your music.

Answer 2

It's calling mixing. It's leveling all aspects of a song so that each variable works with eachother. Programs such as Pro-Tools, Cakewalk's Sonar, and other such computer programs will have the tools to do this.

Answer 3

AUDACITY is free and widely used around the world, it will enable you to import your music and layer your vocals as a separate track (and add effects). I'm not sure whether you are using your mic directly with your PC, most pro mics won't directly input to the PC sound card, unless you are using an external box?
A USB condenser mic is a good solution.
Download Audacity: http://www.cassette2cd.co.uk/downloads.php
Info on mic's:
http://www.cassette2cd.co.uk/studio/USB_microphone.htm