subtractive eq'ing technique

  • Thread starter Thread starter mindsound
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KNL said:
I think the only rule mentioned is that it's better to cut than to boost.
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if there's a problem elsewhere......Was that not it?

Obviously if you record something so hot that there's no room, you can't go boosting stuff.
That's simple; Don't track so hot. (I'm not aiming that at you specifically)

Even at that, my eqs have input and output gain, so if it's more convenient and called for, I'll still just boost having dropped the input gain a few DB.
 
jimmys69 said:
Man, I am trying really hard to like you, but you are changing what you say every post. Listen to what others are saying, and just let it go.....
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I haven't changed one bit man. You're just starting to get my point. If your eq doesn't sound good when you boost, then it's probably a gain staging problem. In its simplest terms, an eq is a volume fader by a certain frequency. If you boost too much you run out of headroom and your eq will sound bad. I can't believe that doesn't make sense to anybody.
 
Steenamaroo said:
if there's a problem elsewhere......Was that not it?

Obviously if you record something so hot that there's no room, you can't go boosting stuff.
That's simple; Don't track so hot. (I'm not aiming that at you specifically)

Even at that, my eqs have input and output gain, so if it's more convenient and called for, I'll still just boost having dropped the input gain a few DB.
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I have no problem boosting. I love to boost and cut. Whatever is called for. I agree with you that those who don't boost are probably recording too hot.
 
TBH I didn't get what you were saying at first because I don't think I've ever tracked hot enough for it to be an issue.
I can see how it really would be in a full analog setup though.
Trying to keep everything hot to avoid hiss coming through could make additive eq a problem.
 
I'll leave you guys with this.

quote from Rich Costey in SOund On Sound:
Google his credits if you don't know who he is.

"That's not to say I'm shy on the EQ. I'm not sure where I developed this habit, but I don't cut many frequencies when I mix. I used to cut a lot when I was younger, but eventually I almost entirely stopped doing it. It wasn't a conscious decision; I guess I just don't like the sound. I'll cut a little bit on the drums sometimes, and with vocals I occasionally need to control problem areas, and I also may be quite brutal with synthesizers. But that's about it. I know there are people who cut frequencies to try to layer a track, but look at it this way: if you are conducting an orchestra, can you filter the woodwinds so the oboe doesn't stick out so much? What you do is have the oboist play a little bit more softly, so you can hear the rest of the reeds."


He does great work.
 
Funny thing is, I never said don't boost ever. One person said that in this thread and that was after about 3 pages of nobody saying anything close to that. I totally agree with boosting if you think it needs it and cutting if you think it needs it. I never said otherwise, other than to say I'd cut before I boost in most situations. If a track needs to be cut at 400hz, I'm not going to boost everything else, I'm going to cut 400hz.


The only thing I had a problem with was this kind of statement:
KNL said:
Subtractive eq is only necessary if you are using a bad sounding equalizer.
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Like I said 3 times already, it makes no sense and is just plain wrong.
 
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What's this black or white arguments? I don't understand how we got there?
KNL, subtractive eq is not a therory or an ideology! This debate over cut or boost is (sorry) irrelevant. Sometimes we need to cut and sometimes we need to boost. That's it. And this post was create for What do we do when we have to cut[/B ].
I don't oppose cut and boost in any way in my article. And of course, that's never a good sign when you have to cut everywhere in your tracks. But it's neither a good sign when you have to boost everywhere too.
What is the best color to use: black or white?
 
The only time to use a slap-back delay is if you have a bad sounding delay unit.



:eek:
 
Only time you slap someone, is when they are being stupid.



:eek:


lol :)
 
Hey Guys,

I'm glad to announce that with the generous help of Sixer 007, there is a new proofread version of the article on my blog
Thank you, Thank you Sixer 007! :thumbs up:
 
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