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Eqing leads
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Bloodclot
Bloodclot
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2190
Posted : Jun 12, 2011 11:24:57
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Looking for some simple tips on eqing leads which I can't seem to smoothen out. They're typically very grainy and have a very high end. I end up over eqing and lose the sound all together.
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kotton
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
105
Posted : Jun 12, 2011 15:20
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I think there are no strict rules. As well it depends on style your making, how many sounds you are using, how much they overlap... Try avoiding extreme equing (more than 5-6 db reducing or boosting)... And you cant solve everything with EQuing. Maybe consider some other techniques (compressing for limiting leads dynamics, or maybe multiband compression, doubling, etc).
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Medea
Aedem/Medea
Started Topics :
127
Posts :
1132
Posted : Jun 12, 2011 17:50
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Beat Agency
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
53
Posts :
1752
Posted : Jun 12, 2011 18:11
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it all comes down to understanding how to program synths (If you use presets at least adjust them) , EQ'ing and a good portion of experience.
Go to Youtube and search for lead + EQ'ing and I am pretty sure you'll find many educational videos helping you out.
 www.beatagency.dk |
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minddoctorsmakeacid
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
74
Posts :
577
Posted : Jun 13, 2011 20:26
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Quote:
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On 2011-06-12 11:24:57, Bloodclot wrote:
Looking for some simple tips on eqing leads which I can't seem to "smoothen out".
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Try using small ammounts of phaser, it usually smooths them.
Quote:
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They're typically very grainy and have a very high end. I end up over eqing and lose the sound all together.
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Use a very sharp "Q" setting with lots of gain and toggle trough the frequencies until you find the ones that hurt your hears the most, when you find that harsh spot reduce the gain and widen the "Q" until it sounds ok without damaging the lead power.
Hi pass filters are good to cut the leads low frequencies to give room for the kick and bass but you need to find its balance because if you cut too much your lead will sound thin and with too much hi freq, I usually cut them at arround 200Hz but you must trust your hears more than your eyes.
http://www.MindDoctorsMakeAcid.com |
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piko_bianko
Oxya
Started Topics :
57
Posts :
974
Posted : Jun 13, 2011 23:40
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LP 8khz
HP 250hz
safe 
extreme |
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Cardinals Cartel
Black Machine
Started Topics :
191
Posts :
3097
Posted : Jun 14, 2011 10:20
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Bloodclot thats interestimg what you right because i think its only an more psychological barrier because whats the deferent with eqing leads or otheres sounds , This is all the same , This is all by hearing and technique , So sure im with Mr. Kotton here , Theres no special rules , I usualy use 140-160 channels in a track with an more then 50 open Vsts when 5-6-7 are going to the leads and i cant find another way but what im doing now , I put 90% of the sounds under compressors , Try find the right balance with the Compressor ---> Eqing ---> Channel Vol .
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Bloodclot
Bloodclot
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2190
Posted : Jun 14, 2011 16:52
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Thank you for the replies. I would have to agree with Cardinals on this one. It is indeed psychological..especially when you've tuned a sound to something you've heard in a track and then wonder if you need to EQ it, add FX or possibly turn a few more knobs to reach your goal.
It's suddenly become all to confusing. I guess perhaps to much track reference is a problem with me
I see a lot of you guys use compression - something I don't normally do. Could somebody recommend a good compressor?
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
112
Posts :
1490
Posted : Jun 14, 2011 16:53
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Quote:
| Theres no special rules , I usualy use 140-160 channels in a track with an more then 50 open Vsts when 5-6-7 are going to the leads and i cant find another way but what im doing now , I put 90% of the sounds under compressors , Try find the right balance with the Compressor ---> Eqing ---> Channel Vol . |
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Wow... may I ask your computer specs? |
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Bloodclot
Bloodclot
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2190
Posted : Jun 14, 2011 16:55
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Quote:
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On 2011-06-13 20:26, minddoctorsmakeacid wrote:
Quote:
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On 2011-06-12 11:24:57, Bloodclot wrote:
Looking for some simple tips on eqing leads which I can't seem to "smoothen out".
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Try using small ammounts of phaser, it usually smooths them.
Quote:
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They're typically very grainy and have a very high end. I end up over eqing and lose the sound all together.
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Use a very sharp "Q" setting with lots of gain and toggle trough the frequencies until you find the ones that hurt your hears the most, when you find that harsh spot reduce the gain and widen the "Q" until it sounds ok without damaging the lead power.
Hi pass filters are good to cut the leads low frequencies to give room for the kick and bass but you need to find its balance because if you cut too much your lead will sound thin and with too much hi freq, I usually cut them at arround 200Hz but you must trust your hears more than your eyes.
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Absolutely. The synth sounds I seem to produce often turn out to be harsh, very loud and very high most times. Your method of eq seems logical. Thanks.
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knocz
Moderator
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
1151
Posted : Jun 14, 2011 17:56
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I tend to disagree with everyone who said: "do this" or "don't do that".
You must understand that there are principles and base settings, but there is no restriction, especially with trance music and leads. If you are looking for an extremely harsh lead, then most of the effects you apply to it should also be extreme and tweaked to oblivion.
But then you want it to mix together and essentially to sound good. -> and that's the word! if you think it sounds good then it probably does and that's what matters 
I tend to do the extreme stuff while designing the sound, and then in the mix stage I try to put everything in it's spot: I might have one lead in the mid lows and another in the mid highs, then after some bars take the higher one out, put the lower one in the mid high frequencies and introduce a new sound in the low (kind of like a flower blooming).
To achieve the mid low and mid high mix it all depends on the used sounds: sometimes a little shelf cutting will do, other times you must apply a whole array of processors to make it sound the way you want.
But the same rule applies: if it sounds good, do it. If it doesn't, don't.
The effects i'd use for all this are all part of Ableton's choice: Auto Pan and Auto Filter, EQ Eight (and sometimes an EQ Three), Compressor, Limiter (for more extreme effects), Saturator and Utility.
Super Banana Sauce http://www.soundcloud.com/knocz |
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Soundmagus
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
67
Posts :
633
Posted : Jun 14, 2011 20:06
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What you need to consider is how the "lead" sounds in context in the track.
Also consider using sounds that dont clash to begin with.
Eq what you need to, to get the sound to fit into the tune.
There are no rules, only your ears and the frequency domain
Check out my site for Video tutorials and other tips & Tricks
http://www.music-production-videos.com |
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