thadefendent
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Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 59
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| Basics of EQing |
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Can anyone point me in the direction of somethin that explains the Basics of using an EQ? |
Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:23 am |
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amitbarde
Forum Moderator
Joined: 24 May 2006
Posts: 79
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| Basics..... |
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Well could you elaborate......what do you mean by basics?.....the basics of operation or basics which tell you about frequencies and how they are classified?
...it would do you a world of good if you read up on the frequency breakup of the audio spectrum. Also, you could just go through a list of instruments with an approximate frquency listing.
.......and learn what frquencies are responsible for what kind of sound (for e.g presence range: 2khz - 5khz). If you go through these things you'll automatically know how and where to use the eq.
And with some practice you could also learn to use the eq as a creative tool....again using the example of the presence rage which i put down earlier.....this time you could just cut everything below 2khz and above 5khz to get that "telephonic voice" effect....
So, as you can see......it's all about knowing what to fiddle around with when using the eq and that will only come once you have some sort of theoritical base in terms of knowing frequency ranges of instruments and vocals...
hope this helps......
cheers 
p.s: personally, i try to minimise use of eqs when i'm mixing....which means getting a clean and relatively accurate (here accurate would imply the sound you are looking for) sound during the recording process...using the eq to "fix" mistakes, according to me, should be avoided unless ofcourse it's necessary... |
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Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:43 am |
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conquistadore
Forum Moderator
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 514
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| EQ |
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Rules are created to be broken 
All I can say is follow your ears and have a reference for each sound.
Whenever I approach a mix/recording, I first 'form' the sound in my head and then start EQing, compressing, etc..
You would be limiting yourself if you follow specific rules so its best to follow your ears. Though on the whole, other than being used creatively, an EQ is usually used to highlight a sound - like for a heavy rock song that has an acoustic guitar, you might cut the lows and give it a sparkle to cut through the distorted guitars and heavy drums.
After highlighting, it would also be a good idea to cut frequencies that crowd the mix (like how in the example I've given the lows were cut for the acoustic guitar). It is also said that cutting frequencies sounds better than boosting them - though this should not stop you from doing what you feel is right. |
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Thu Dec 28, 2006 1:18 pm |
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thadefendent
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Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 59
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where could i find a good diagram of the audio spectrum and frequency listings? |
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Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:42 am |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| Instrument Frequencies |
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_________________
If In Doubt...Hit It With a Hammer, If Still In Doubt... Find a Bigger Hammer. |
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Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:13 pm |
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thadefendent
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Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 59
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thanks for the chart...but how do you know when to cut and boost frequencies on the eq? lets say i made a song that has deep kick drums in it and i use a synthisizer to create a bassline, maybe theres some piano keys etc... would i cut the lows on the kick drum or bassline...? should i jus use my ears and do what i think sounds good? |
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Mon Jan 08, 2007 10:33 pm |
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conquistadore
Forum Moderator
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 514
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| Key frequencies |
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quote:
Originally posted by thadefendent
thanks for the chart...but how do you know when to cut and boost frequencies on the eq? lets say i made a song that has deep kick drums in it and i use a synthisizer to create a bassline, maybe theres some piano keys etc... would i cut the lows on the kick drum or bassline...? should i jus use my ears and do what i think sounds good?
Yes, the first rule always would be to follow your ears - the rest i would say, are simple guidelines.
It would be a good idea to first identify the "key frequencies". I define the key frequencies as the group of frequencies that give character and identification to the sound. Like, for male vocals the key frequencies would be the mids and higher mids, and any other range of frequencies would just add or subtract additional character - excessive highs can make it sound nasal or excessive lows can make it sound unintelligible. In your example, since its a deep kick I wouldnt really play with the low frequencies so that its original character is maintained, but I would cut the lows of the synth bass so that it wont mask our wonderful sounding kick. If the synth bass still isnt intelligible, I would boost its character frequencies (if its a grainy bass patch, I would boost the higher mids to bring out the 'grainy-ness'). And if i still feel the bass line is getting lost (with the already nice sounding piano and kick) I would bring in additional processing - like compression and maybe short stereo delays just on the attack..
What I mentioned is just an example, but it would really depend on what you hear inside your head and off your speakers. |
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Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:56 am |
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thadefendent
Addict
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 59
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can i post a link to a song i produced and let you hear what im talkin about...? if so how would i post a sound clip of a song i produced? |
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Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:20 am |
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conquistadore
Forum Moderator
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 514
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| sound click.. my data bus |
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Sure you can..
You could either go to www.soundclick.com or www.mydatabus.com
Sound Click is a website for musicians to post their work and once you register (for free) these songs can be downloaded/streamed/sold. My Data Bus is more server like (registration is also free here), where you can upload a file, make it public and post/email the link. |
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Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:04 am |
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