overhead eq

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copperandstars

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Hello,

One of the crash cymbals in my overhead mix is super harsh sounding (really high twangy sound) and I was wondering what frequencies to mess around with that might be able to mellow it out a bit. I realize that the problem lies within the recording technique...I was just hoping I might be able to do something with the eq to help a little. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
ryan
 
You should just take a parametric EQ and do a sweep with a high boost and a narrow Q until you find the offending frequencies. You also might want to try a desser, sometimes the effect is too sparatic for cleaning up a harsh cymbal, but it could do the trick.
 
are the mics super close to the cymbals?

are you using shitty mics on overheads?
 
Do what tsl said. as you sweep, you will start to hear a nasty 'whistle' sound. That is the frequency that you want to dip. It will most likely be somewhere between 2-10k.
 
Try cutting the highs on that mic or just moving the mic a little farther (right or left) from the China. It can also be the stick approach...I've had trouble with a crash before...
 
copper heres a BIG TIP to see offending frequencies.
look for the free sound engine audio editor on the net (note 16 bit only),
load in a snippet of your cymbal, and in the menus you will see a frequency display. hilite it and do a loop play and youll see the frequencies that are offending display. this will help you zero in on offending frequencies (prolly between 2 and 4k). i use magix music studio to do the same thing.
i guess you could try the demo.
the frequency display is in the mixer section.
also cool edit 96 if i remember will do the same thing.
also hitsquad.com have some other programs that display spectrograms.
also i forgot - the free AUDACITY has a frequency display. once again import
a brief sample and hi lite it. audacity also has para eq and spectral analysis built in.
hope this helps.
 
I find a lot of cymbal harshness hiding either at 800hz or somewhere between 6khz and 9khz. Depends though... you gotta use your ears.
 
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