EQ analyzer

  • Thread starter Thread starter andrushkiwt
  • Start date Start date
andrushkiwt

andrushkiwt

Well-known member
If immediately after recording, your eq analyser shows frequencies above 0db, maybe 3-8 above for example, does it help to even those out toward zero before making your intended cuts and.boosts? Guitars are coming through with 2-9k pretty high. I'm not sure how others approach handling the eq in reference to 0db.
 
So the signal was clipping when you were tracking? If not, then your EQ analyzer isn't calibrated. How do you 'even out' a loud frequencey without cutting? :confused:
 
Also, instead of using your eyes to make things sound good, you should be using your ears...
Your meter could be measuring VU or something else entirely. Not possible to go over 0 in FS.
 
The interface is not clipping. If I turn it up two or notches, it will clip. But not where it is set regarding the example above.

The eq analyzer, not matter what instrument or vocal I peek at, has some areas that are above 0db before I do anything to it. Is this normal. I'm not saying I won't make cuts, I'm asking: if before even beginning to shape the sound, is it advised to even out the eq toward 0db. Otherwise, cutting 3db at 8k, for example, doesn't make 8k- 3db...it might make it +5db (if it was at +8 before touching anything).

I have a mix on another thread. In the mp3 clinic. Can't provide link at the moment, but you might hear what I'm talking ab8ut if you listen. High Mids are possibly too high...but many frequencies on the guitars have already had extensive cuts. Therefore, I'm wondering if I should move things closer to 0 first, and then begin to shape the sound with additional cuts and.boosts. I'm sorry I can't put the link in a.t.m. just got to work
 
I'm.certainly using my ears, just doesn't hurt to ask. If I'm having to.cut 12db in presence area, maybe moving EVERYTHING down toward 0 would be a better way to start things. From there, I could start making adjustments.

I'm wondering if my question is getting across appropriately. I apologize if I'm unclear.
 
It might help to know which EQ we're talking about here -- Is it just showing a representative over/underlay in the screen with the EQ controls and "0" is the EQ line? It might just be filling the window and have little to do with the actual level...
 
AFAIK, most spectrum analyzers show a flat line at 0dB boost/cut, not dBFS so there is no problem going above. It shows the amount of boost/cut and 12dB or even 20 would not be "bad" if it sounds right. Yes, that's normal (at least in Reason's SA). Looking at the SA for advice where to start on frequencies to cut or boost is a pretty good idea, but it's always been easier for me to sweep with a parametric to find good/bad freqs.
Turn your Q all the way up (narrow) and your boost all the way up and sweep the frequency knob back and forth to find sweet spots to boost and then drop the gain back for a small boost. Using the same method you can find stuff that hurts the ears or obviously causes mix problems (mud), except you drop the gain under 0 to make a small to moderate cut on the offending frequencies. Remember, when boosting, you just want a touch to make it stand out, but you can get away with some large cuts. Listening to the entire mix is usually preferable to listening to solo'd tracks.
Sorry if I came across like a jerk earlier. That was not my intent. Just saying, "If it ain't broke..." ya know.
 
Oh, no one's been a jerk to me yet on these forums! I'm just trying to make sure I relayed the concern clearly. I think we got it now. One last recap: after I record, I slap a plain old eq with analyzer onto the guitar channel. I open it and look. Immediately, there are ranges well above what is showed as 0db. If this 0db mark is arbitrary here, then I'll forget about it and just assume it's a reference point. If not, then I need to bring the freqs down before I even begin to shape anything w big cuts and tiny boosts.

I gather from an above post that I might ignore the 0db Mark and just shape accordingly to sound regardless of what the dbs are reading.

Do most eq analyser tools show freqs above 0db when it's first applied to the channel? I have subpar equipment. Perhaps the link.between my guitar and interface is causing high Mids before eq'ing.

Thanks for all the replies!
 
Yes, most analyzers do have an arbitrary line (personal experience, YMMV, etc.). Maybe we should hear a clip of what you're talking about so we can better understand the 2k-9k thing as most guitars naturally top out about 1200-1300Hz (primary frequencies). Harmonics of course will ring out at multiples... Is this guitar/amp miked in or direct through a sim or something else entirely?
 
Directly into the interface. Its a (don't judge) presonus usb interface. I'm.doing this all on the relatively cheap side. I'll get some.clips up this afternoon and post here.

You may notice, if you listen to them, that they don't seem too bad. But that is after I really really cut Mids. 12db in some cases. And sometimes they STILL approach that 0db line in my eq analyzer.

Clips coming. Have to u.l. to soundcloud first.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top