recording with a mixer

  • Thread starter Thread starter polarity
  • Start date Start date
P

polarity

New member
For those of you using mixers or anything with EQ option before your DAW. How do you record, do you set your EQ on the mixer then record or do you set it flat, record it and EQ with the DAW?

I got the Allen & Heath ZED 10-fx and am trying to figure out the best practice. I would *think* EQing in the DAW would be better simply so I could modify it over and over instead of being stuck with the 1 take, but at the same time if I EQ it properly on the mixer I would be recording such a better sounding track. Then maybe re-EQ inside the DAW when putting it in a mix?

As a side note (and I havent searched this yet, I will when I'm done posting but I thought of this as I was typing). What good books are out there for learning the art of mixing. How to understand proper EQ and compression, how to set things into their space properly, etc. I would need something pretty basic just because I don't know much yet.

-William
 
polarity said:
I would *think* EQing in the DAW would be better simply so I could modify it over and over instead of being stuck with the 1 take, but at the same time if I EQ it properly on the mixer I would be recording such a better sounding track.
Click to expand...

Yes, it makes the most sense to defer EQ (and compression and other effects) to mixdown rather than commit during recording. That way you can better decide when you can hear everything in context. And you can change your mind as often as you like.

What good books are out there for learning the art of mixing. How to understand proper EQ and compression, how to set things into their space properly, etc. I would need something pretty basic just because I don't know much yet.
Click to expand...

My own Audio Expert book (link in my sig below) is exactly what you're looking for. In the mean time, this article explains more about using a mixer with DAW software:

Using a Mixer with a DAW

--Ethan
 
Thanks for the link, it was a good read but I will need to order the book as it didn't cover my question.

I guess to build on the question if I'm recording through a mixer with built in EQ the EQ will be applied to the recording no matter that it's set like correct? So if I set it flat, I will get a flat recording, if I take out all highs I will have no high in the recording. So I would guess setting everything dead middle would be the best position so I could work with it later?
 
I did forget to add that this is a USB mixer so it's only passing 2 channels.
 
polarity said:
Thanks for the link, it was a good read but I will need to order the book as it didn't cover my question.

I guess to build on the question if I'm recording through a mixer with built in EQ the EQ will be applied to the recording no matter that it's set like correct? So if I set it flat, I will get a flat recording, if I take out all highs I will have no high in the recording. So I would guess setting everything dead middle would be the best position so I could work with it later?
Click to expand...
That's pretty much the way it'd work, except if you used the the pre fader/eg direct outs many have or the inset' outs like in Ethan's link.
 
Just to confirm Ethan's post, I have a digital mixer (Yamaha DM1000) which gives me four frequencies of fully parametric EQ on every channel and I still record flat and EQ in the DAW 99% of the time.

For live work though, the EQ is extremely valuable.
 
I record flat most of the time too. the only exception is when there is an obvious problem like rumble or some other strange resonance that I know I want to get rid of. But even that can be left alone until mix time.

My eqing on the way in is left over practice from the tape days when you had a limited about of eq to work with and you also needed to take tape saturation and noise into account. Complete unnecessary now, but I am just comfortable working that way.
 
Yeah...set all the EQ's cut/boost at "center", so you record flat going in.
Once in a blue moon there may be something that you just want to correct a touch on the way in, but usually it's safer to leave it for the mix stage.
 
When I'm recording groups I know well I often do some processing on the way in because I'm familiar with the elements of the mix and how they fit together. Otherwise I tend to avoid too much processing during tracking since I want to keep my options open.
 
I tend to think of eq in two stages. Sometimes corrective eq is necessary on the way in. No matter how well you set up the mics, placement in the room etc, the source may need a corrective eq adjustment. I see no problem with doing that on the way in. Then there is the eq to use for having the track sit in the mix. Totally different.
 
mixsit said:
That's pretty much the way it'd work, except if you used the the pre fader/eg direct outs many have or the inset' outs like in Ethan's link.
Click to expand...

Yes, and the article I linked to (and my book) both show using the channel insert which bypasses the EQ. This is better than setting the EQ knobs to the center, since normal component tolerances could vary the response by a few dB even when the knobs are perfectly centered and in the detent.

--Ethan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top