Favorite EQ settings?

[GT]

Speaking of EQ,

Do any of you have favorite EQ settings for mixing down?

I find that attenuation at 250hz, and 1khz really helps.

Then a slight boost at 16khz, and sometimes a very slight boost at 8khz also helps.

I trully believe EQs most important roll,maybe only roll should be to reduce coloration, does anyone agree?

If you don't want to give away your secret recipe, I understand.

 

[dobro]

(dobro walks up beside GT and presses his own nose against the glass too, looking in, and says: 'Think anyone's in there?')

I know less than you, but doesn't it depend on what exactly it is you're mixing down? Have you seen that table of frequencies to cut or boost for different instruments? I printed one out from this site in February, but I forget what thread it's from. Can anybody remember?

 

[camn]

http://recordingeq.com/images/20a.gif

this is golden.

xoxox

 

[dobro]

That's it! That's the page I was talking about. You're not just useful, camn, you're affectionate too (all those x's and o's at the end of every message). Utility plus love. Hard to beat.

 

[DaveO]

Camn

Thanks for posting that. I remember seeing that link here before but I never did save a copy of it then. I made sure I did now.

 

[Tapehead]

Can you hear a boost at 16 kHz? That's gettin' pretty high up there. Anyhow, I would stay away from "favorite" frequencies. If you start boosting and cutting all your channels at around the same frequencies, your whole mix will come out sounding skewed.

What is the most important feature about EQing? I'd say, it's more than how each individual track sounds (that's the wrong way to EQ). Its really about giving everything its place in the mix, and balancing the overall mix over the frequency spectrum.

 

[GT]

So far,

I have only used EQ at the final stage of the mixing down process, I EQ the whole mix to MP3.

I don't use any EQ up to that point, any thoughts from anyone on this method, is this wrong?

Also has anyone who has gone on from dynamic mics to condensor mics, had to change their EQ habits?

 

[pglewis]

What's helped me the most with EQ is just playing with it. Making lots of different mixes and comparing them later with fresh ears... preferably a day or two later. I try to keep good track of the changes between the mixes and only change one or two things at a time. That way I know what tweak did what to the sound. If I've been mixing for a while, my ears seem to get "saturated". I'm often amazed at what seem like glaring problems only a day after the mix sounded about perfect.

Also, a trick that works great on one song might sound like dog doo on another. I have to adapt. Train your ear the best you can through practice. Knowing the fundamental frequency of every note on every instrument in the world is useful. Quickly being able to get rid of "that ring" on a track is priceless. It adds up to more time making music and less time tweaking effects.

Finally, a little can go a long way but they put that ability to boost/cut 18-24 dB in there for a reason. Sometimes subtlty just isn't enough. Season to taste.

 

[GT]

I think listening to other peoples recordings, that sound good (right), on the same speakers that you are mixing to, can tell you a lot about your own mix, in comparison.

This is especially helpfull for overall treble and bass balance.

I've been using the recodings that you guys do, as reference, this has been most helpfull!!

I also think EQ should be done by ear, forget the charts, it's a tone thang!!

I am hearing better recording quality from the MP3s that I download off this site, than many of my CDs, in many cases homemade is better: recording and cookies.

Now I just have to learn to sing, play, and speak more good.