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Subtractive EQ - Limit yourself
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routingwithin
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Aug 21, 2014 15:35:58
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"If you understand EQ it will come naturally and many decisions will be obvious."
EQ is one of the most important tools you have to shape your frequencies to sound nicer on the ears and mix better with other frequencies. Still,, EQ can also be such a mindfcuk. . .
For those still scratching your heads about this - don't feel bad. It can be a tricky subject to figure out- even though it’s so simple.
If we cut with EQ the sound changes due to frequencies being lowered in volume. The Q’s width also plays an important role, because it changes the amount you EQ even more. Now the faster you work the more confusing it becomes to find the correct location of the problem. The reason for this is that every time you decrease some frequencies, your brain realizes a change in the sound and tries to compensate in a constructive way. One of the problems with this is that if you’re not taking constant breaks from your music – your brain will start to semi-malfunction and later on lie to you, causing you to make incorrect alterations. Like many others, it gets fed up with work- even though we did not even ask it to help us. Lol – (debatable)
Now, there are many theories, methods and advice to give on EQ- this is where the confusion comes in, because there are so many ways of EQ that is applied to different scenarios. Due to a lack of ability that people have to explain the subject correctly – it can cause others to apply certain methods to the wrong scenarios. i.e. if you would watch a subtractive EQ vid on youtube they don’t tell you that it only applies to that particular problem.
Some say, use narrow cuts, others say they use medium cuts – so who is right? Both are right, all you need to understand is that those are two methods used for fixing different issues. Narrow cuts = remove ringing/harsh frequencies.. Medium cuts = shaping the sound. The secret is the amount!
Ok enough from the scientist let’s get down to business. The reason for this post is to share some advice when it comes to shaping our sound. Many people would load up an EQ (let’s say Fabfilter Q) and start cutting different locations in real time to hear how the sound changes, and also searching for a softer yet audible sound. The thing that some of us don’t comprehend is that by default the DB scale on our eq is set on 12db,, so automatically our brains sees our limit as 12 DBs (the size of the box)- we are visual creatures, not realizing how much a 12db cut is. Like I said before, our brains try to adapt to the changes in sound. It’s like a tail that follows our movements. This causes the information to become delayed and alter our decisions. Eq’ing slower can be more beneficial.
Now to leap from 0db to -6-8db @ 2Khz with a medium wide Q is a big difference from the original sound, but after a few seconds the brain tail reaches the change and tells us- hey that sounds great, in a way.
This is where the misconception of EQ comes in.
RAW samples ain’t gonna WOW no-one- so leaving EQ out would be a mistake. By using “good quality” RAW samples we would hear that the sound is already there, it just needs to be polished/processed.
Again.. the secret is in the amount. That is why everyone keeps saying you should A-B your effects to hear the difference between the RAW and the processed sample. The reason for this is that we don’t want to go too far from the original. The only thing usually wrong with the RAW sample is that it’s maybe a bit, honky, boxy, sharp, muddy, etc. – but it has all frequencies present and audible; so by cutting -10db chunks out, will take away fundamental parts in the audio.
So what’s my point, Damn !!
My point is that you should mindfcuk the mindfcuk… by setting a new limit for our brain.
*Changing the EQ’s DB scale to 3db.
By doing this- the cuts you make will look like a lot, but it will actually only be 1-3db changes. If you would set the scale on say 12-18db then you will see your cuts of 3db looks like you did nothing to the sound, but actually you made minor changes which helps more than you think.
Try to stay within the 0-3db range- not enlarging the scale. Use medium-wide Q’s and listen carefully, where the harshness in the sounds are. Reduce certain frequency areas and shape everything together.
Peace out
  " We are together in this matter you and I, closer to death, yes, closer than i'd like. How do you feel? - There can be no division in our actions, or everything is lost. What affects you affects me. " |
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frisbeehead
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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1352
Posted : Aug 23, 2014 16:24
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What you mean, in short: is that by changing the scale the visual feedback will make minor changes more visible, right?
In general, adjusting the FFT options to match the kind of work you'll be doing is a good idea. Analysis only helps when you know what you're looking for and how to adjust the "lens" so it displays the relevant info that suits your tasks - so to speak.
Surgical EQ can help remove bad frequencies and I to think one shouldn't go overboard. No need for dramatic, all the way down cuts. Dynamic EQ cuts can also be a nice alternative plenty of times.
If you choose the right sounds, then they're probably already nicely distributed across the spectrum and not much conflicts going on. Still, some clearing the way is needed with EQ, even if it's just a "setting the range/limits" for sounds, making sure there's not much clashing, sort of thing.
After that, it's all about broad strokes, the bigger picture (mix) and how things complement each other nicely.
I usually cut with digital, boost with analogue (or analogue emulations). Also cut a lot more then I boost. Boost gently just to imprint some character, to zoom in a bit on those frequencies that are sounding nicer sort of thing. |
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routingwithin
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
46
Posts :
204
Posted : Aug 25, 2014 12:49
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Quote:
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On 2014-08-23 16:24, frisbeehead wrote:
What you mean, in short: is that by changing the scale the visual feedback will make minor changes more visible, right?
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Yes – and it will also keep you from applying too much EQ to the sound. Working on a 3db scale will look like you’re making drastic Eq cuts, but actually it will only be minor cuts- which will keep the character and definition of the overall sound.
Sounds tend to sound much more audible, clear and powerful when only minor EQ is applied.
" We are together in this matter you and I, closer to death, yes, closer than i'd like. How do you feel? - There can be no division in our actions, or everything is lost. What affects you affects me. " |
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Piewie
Started Topics :
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3
Posted : Sep 7, 2014 12:39
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Interesting post, routingwithin.
Gonna try to use your recommendation and see! |
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