EQ'ing :(

[sk8a123]

Accepted good practice is to try and capture the sound the way you want it in the first place by mic placement, playing or singing a certain way, etc. And then if you need to, use eq. Eq is a trade off and I always have several tracks that use no eq. When you use no eq and get away with it the sound is very natural. I kinda hate eq and tend to use it regretfully!

But if it makes the sound better... that's why it's there.

ok, and i might as well add i'm recording direct

 

[Massive Master]

So your basicaly telling me, If everything is set up correctly,theres no need for eq?

(Beg to jump in)

Think of it this way -- When you go to buy a nice suit, you start with a suit that already fits pretty well in the first place - Then, the tailor lets out a bit here and pulls in a whisker there, trims the excess off the trousers and you wind up with a suit that's fits you as well as a suit can fit.

He's not going to start with a 52L if you're a 46R.

Ideally, EQ performs the same function as the tailor. The sound should be pretty darn close to what you want at the source - The mic & preamp selection should flatter that source in a way that will benefit the mix. EQ is then used to tailor those sounds to "perfectly" (for lack of a better term) fit together in the context of that mix.

 

[WhiteStrat]

(Beg to jump in)

Think of it this way -- When you go to buy a nice suit, you start with a suit that already fits pretty well in the first place - Then, the tailor lets out a bit here and pulls in a whisker there, trims the excess off the trousers and you wind up with a suit that's fits you as well as a suit can fit.

He's not going to start with a 52L if you're a 46R.

Ideally, EQ performs the same function as the tailor. The sound should be pretty darn close to what you want at the source - The mic & preamp selection should flatter that source in a way that will benefit the mix. EQ is then used to tailor those sounds to "perfectly" (for lack of a better term) fit together in the context of that mix.

Nice analogy! Brings it home rather nicely.

 

[sk8a123]

Ah! That analogy helped a lot. I'm pretty sure I got it now. Thanks

 

[nate_dennis]

well yeah, thats my intention.... fixing things, to make it sound better

I was going to say . . .

Accepted good practice is to try and capture the sound the way you want it in the first place by mic placement, playing or singing a certain way, etc. And then if you need to, use eq.

But damn it if Dinty didn't beat me to it!!!!

ok, and i might as well add i'm recording direct

Why? Just out of curiosity.

(Beg to jump in)

Think of it this way -- When you go to buy a nice suit, you start with a suit that already fits pretty well in the first place - Then, the tailor lets out a bit here and pulls in a whisker there, trims the excess off the trousers and you wind up with a suit that's fits you as well as a suit can fit.

He's not going to start with a 52L if you're a 46R.

Ideally, EQ performs the same function as the tailor...

Damn good analagoy Massive. That's great!!!!

 

[grimtraveller]

Ironically, I think the suit analogy, inventive as it is, points more towards the use of presets ! For me, the point of buying ready made clothes is that nothing needs to be done to them. Try it on, see if it fits, if so, buy it, wear it !

 

[Atom Bomb]

Ironically, I think the suit analogy, inventive as it is, points more towards the use of presets ! For me, the point of buying ready made clothes is that nothing needs to be done to them. Try it on, see if it fits, if so, buy it, wear it !

another great analogy....

good job...

 

[dintymoore]

... Ideally, EQ performs the same function as the tailor. The sound should be pretty darn close to what you want at the source...

"Ideally" is the key word here. There are times when things are not ideal!

Suppose you find a Stevie Ray Vaughan tape that someone recorded at a gig on a cheap cassette. There's no way to rerecord it and it sounds awful but with drastic eq'ing it's drastically improved.

There's times when you do need to use a chain saw. It's very uni-deal and you try to avoid it but you can use eq to make the best out of a bad situation.

Sometimes you simply get stuck with stuff that you have to use and to re-record it is super-inconvenient, too expensive or simply impossible.

 

[dco]

I built QUIZTONES (frequency identification trainer) to improve my own EQ'ing ability.

You may find it useful to help familiarize yourself with how different frequencies respond with various sources.

Let me know if there is anything you would find useful for me to add to it : )

 

[wannaknow]

Hi, do yourself a favour and download this FREE VST. It is one of most musical Eq's you will find and that's what counts yeah ? Be sure to read the accompanying pdf.

Make a unique copy of each preset before you edit as any adjustments you make will automatically overwrite.

Try the "sophisticated" preset on vocals. It can transform a dynamic mic


The only scientific rule you really need to remember is to roll off the low end around 120 Hz for anything that is not an intended bass instrument. Some mixing guys go all the way up to 170 Hz with their roll offs. This creates a tight mix then when slammed in master compression - wont sound muddy.

I'm new to recording also, does the eq referred to sound better/different than the ones that come with Logic Express 9 and Pro Tools M Powered 8?

 

[wannaknow]

Hi, do yourself a favour and download this FREE VST. It is one of most musical Eq's you will find and that's what counts yeah ? Be sure to read the accompanying pdf.

Make a unique copy of each preset before you edit as any adjustments you make will automatically overwrite.

Try the "sophisticated" preset on vocals. It can transform a dynamic mic


The only scientific rule you really need to remember is to roll off the low end around 120 Hz for anything that is not an intended bass instrument. Some mixing guys go all the way up to 170 Hz with their roll offs. This creates a tight mix then when slammed in master compression - wont sound muddy.

I'm new to recording also, does the eq referred to sound better/different than the ones that come with Logic Express 9 and Pro Tools M Powered 8?

 

[Supercreep]

Except for a few things like HPF and LPF on select instruments, EQ is a corrective process that is best avoided by treating your room, choosing the right instrument, the right microphone, and the correct mic placement.

 

[CFox]

I'm new to recording also, does the eq referred to sound better/different than the ones that come with Logic Express 9 and Pro Tools M Powered 8?

I have not been in a position to compare. The EQ I recommended does "colour" the sound in that it imparts intended tonal changes. Some would say for the better.

I use a dynamic mic as I dont have a sufficiently treated recording space to warrant a condenser. To help sweeten the top end I use Boot EQ. To my ears it works a treat. Season to taste.