Equalizing

[TruBLUE]

As A Producer when I Equalize a sample or instrument(I didn't record the instrument) I usually choose a preset that sounds the best, but the sample/instrument doesn't always have the sound that I want.

So Before I start doing more advanced Equalizing, going and tuning each frequency to tune the sound to my liking, I wanted to get some advice and techniques on how use equalizers to make the sample/instrument sound more realistic and alive instead of flat and fake.

My request isn't focused on any specific sound.

To get A Idea of how my music sounds with the preset equalizing go to
http://www.reverbnation.com/v2productionsbeats

 

[kidkage]

The general rule for all recording is to get your sound right at the source.
Whether it's vocals, or a guitar, or a soft synth, whatever.
For instance, applying drastic E.Q. and the like could in essence make a clean guitar sound distorted, or a hi hat sound like a bass drum, but that isn't very practical.
E.Q. can react better with already solid sounds.
Presets seem to be a touchy subject for a lot of people. But when it comes to E.Q. most everyone agrees that it's better to do your own eq'ing rather than use a preset since every sound is different and will react differently. Most of the time though, picking a preset and tweaking it to your needs will work just fine.

 

[grimtraveller]

I find that samples and VSTis usually have all their own effects and EQ and it's usually over the top. It took me about 7 or so years {impatience and ignorance} to take the time to work out how to get all the effects and EQ turned off most of the programmes that I have. Now I get them as flat and 'blah' as I want them to be and often will send the sound out to an amp and mic it. To me it sounds much better. Then, once I've recorded the piece I want, I take it from there and sculpt to my hearts delight. Which, fortunately doesn't take long as I know pretty much what I'm looking for. Once in a while, the preset is OK but alot of the time, the developer can't know what applications and music the sampled instrument is going to be used in.
I wish samples and VSTis came totally flat.

 

[MariosParadisis]

I wish samples and VSTis came totally flat.

Totally right statement, I wish the same. Especially libraries that involve too much room can be a pain to equalize and make them sit in the mix. But I don't think that eq itself can really help in making your sampled instrument more realistic and alive. More important is to introduce intense dynamics to your instrument and maybe some saturation. But there's no rule, every instrument must be treated individually.

 

[TruBLUE]

I recorded a song and was tweeking my vocals and noticed that my voice was highest between 80 and 1000 Hz. With my voice deep there is no such thing as getting it right at the source, that is if I want my vocals to sound clear. So i used a vocal preset which raised highs lowered lows and ect ect Then cut 20-320 and threw on another eq and set it at the vocal preset and the vocals sounded great.

 

[aaronmcoleman]

80-1000hz is a huge range.

if you have a setting that works that's awesome. you can always get things really close to right at the source. EQ isn't just for fixing mistakes, what you're doing seems legit.

a high-pass-filter (basically cutting everything below a certain frequency) is a common way to get the rumble out of instruments and vocals and not step on the kick and bass. so cutting 20-320 is basically cutting all frequencies below 320...which for vocals sounds in the ballpark. Raising the highs a bit usually gives a little "air" to vocals, so that sounds about right too.

What I'd do if I were you is skip the presets now, throw a HPF around 200-300 on the vocals, raise the highs a bit, and work on finding the midrange frequency that sounds good and boost that a bit. This way you'll be able to EQ your own vocals, get the best sound possible, and also learn how EQ works rather than rely on presets for the rest of your life.

 

[TruBLUE]

Will Do.