My vocals sound boomy and muddy when played on TV.

[u/wayne_oddstops]

Hi all,

I've almost no experience beyond playing with the EQ bands, but I have been trying to learn. I'm using a Shure SM7B in a small, moderately treated room (rug on wooden floor, curtains pulled, thin AudioSilk panels with approx. one inch added between the panel and wall, and a small isolation shield that sits directly behind the mic).

Recorded using the default Shure settings because the bass rolloff switch felt as though it was gutting the sound.

I've added a small bass rolloff on the EQ, a small lift on the higher frequencies, and a small reduction in the 1K-2K range to get rid of the boxiness.

It sounds fine (to my ear) on a phone and PC, but when I listen to it on a TV, it sounds like a muddied mess. I find myself constantly adjusting the volume. There is no clarity. I presume it has something to do with the bass in my voice or another frequency. Or maybe it's a levels issue.

Is there anything I can I do to make it stand out from the background music?

Edit: Link removed. It must be the speakers on my TV.

Edit #2: It was actually the way in which I was streaming the video to my TV. Played it directly from a USB and it solved multiple sound and video issues. Apologies all.

[u/SpiralEscalator]

A phone and a PC are not anything like accurate audio monitor speakers, and you can't expect to make translatable eq decisions without accurate monitoring in a treated room, or at least (absolute minimum) in quality headphones you know and trust. How are you listening to it on your TV? Through a line in? I assume you don't mean work you have submitted for actual broadcast.

I listened to your sample through my monitors, not the greatest, and my room's far from perfect, but did not hear a "muddy mess" at all. The vocal stood out clearly from the background music. The only obvious issue I heard was a little too much sibilance.

[u/wayne_oddstops → u/SpiralEscalator]

Thanks. I've removed the link because I'm clearly wasting people's time. I listened to it on TV speakers in my living room and it just sounded muddy in comparison to other vocals, but I do accept that I may be over-analysing my own voice. Thank you for the feedback. I use a pair of MDR-7506 when mixing. I'll reduce the sibilance with the EQ. I may have inadvertently increased it while trying to add clarity to the SM7B.

[u/wayne_oddstops → u/SpiralEscalator]

I added a slight de-esser after the EQ and it seems to have tamed the sibilance. I'm wary of going overboard with the de-esser because of how lispy it can get.

[u/Swift_Dream]

It's most likely your TV's audio settings, or overall sound quality. You can't get your audio to sound perfect on every system, in the cases of voice overs, as long as the vocals are clear (which they do on my end), then it isn't worth spending a few extra hours on, Unless this is for some professional documentary from a fortune 500 company or something. If that's the case, maybe some engineers in that space can give you better advice

[u/wayne_oddstops → u/Swift_Dream]

Thank you! It must be just me over-analysing.

[u/TFFPrisoner]

I've once listened to a CD on a TV. It didn't sound good at all.

[u/Original_DocBop]

Dynamic mics and especially the SM7B are liked by radio people for the proximity effect they have. They get that big bassy sound the closer to the mic you get. That's great for radio and VO work, but for singers it can work against you. So part of your issue could be your position in relation to the mic now how your EQ'ing. Also better to record a bit thinner, but well defines notes and enunciation, then EQ to add more low end when mix. Add low end in mixing has a more natural sound than tracking with a lot of low end.

[u/wayne_oddstops → u/Original_DocBop]

I'm doing voiceovers, but I do get your point. I record about a fist's length away from the mic. I might experiment with upping the gain a little and sitting further back. It would also help solve those annoying mouth clicks that I have to remove.

[u/RCAguy]

Two variables too many. Start with accurate monitor speakers in an at least party tame room acoustically. Now you’ll “bake-in” your mix good tonality. Then calibrate your TV sound & room, and all should be much better.