2 Qs on Freq and acoustic guitarport

[TheCreamOfEric]

K the first is that I see some of the people talking about certain frequencies and cutting certain frequencies out for certain things, whats the point of this and how do I do it?

and the 2nd is if anybody uses a guitarport. I just got an acoustic/electric and im trying to record with it plugged into guitarport, but most of the settings I try its kind of distorted when it comes out. Does anybody know what kind of settings would be good for a clean acoustic?

thank you

 

[LRosario]

The reason we cut freqs is to balance out levels within a song.

Lets think of it this way...


Adjusting freqs is like trying to balance people on a school bus. If your bass guitar and bass drum are already "occupying" those low freqs, you really don't need them on higher freq instruments like guitars.

You would cut some of the low end on your guitar, for example. You just have to be careful as to not take away from the sound of the instrument.

In this way they fit together alot better.


About the acoustic, just sounds like your guitar might be clipping (exceeding the limit of the recording hardware). You might want to bring the level down some. Depends on a few things.

 

[TheCreamOfEric]

so how can you tell at what frequencies you cut the certain instruments?

thanks for your reply

 

[LRosario]

so how can you tell at what frequencies you cut the certain instruments?

thanks for your reply

I suppose that comes more from experience, but if you're not too sure here are some things that could help:

1) First off, listen to the instrument you're recording. Does it sound like a low pitch or high pitch? Things like guitars, trumpets, flutes, alto sax, etc would be more high pitched. If you know how to read music, they are the ones that go by the treble clef. Bass, tubas, baritone sax, cello, etc would be low pitched or bass clef instruments. It's not usually recommended to cut EQ, it's something you do to polish up.

The essence of mixing is really to retain the natural aspects of the instrument. Once you start cutting EQ, you run the risk of taking away from it's natural character.

2) You have to ask youself during the final mix process, "what sounds overpowering in this mix?" Does the bass end sound too low? Does the high end ring too high? etc. And based on the situation, you adjust the EQ accordingly. You get better at it over time.

3) You cut freqs to cancel feed back.

This is something that happens more during a live scenario, so it might not apply.

Many mixing boards have a feature that locates an over powering freq and will cancel it for you. Sort of like an active freq monitoring system.

I've known people who can locate a "bad" freq down to 100+/- hertz at any point of the audiable sound spectrum within a matter of seconds. Just goes to show that equipment dosn't always replace a good ear.