And we will be using Waves Q8 Paragraphic EQ...
Now we will also be using Waves PAZ Frequency...
Now there's a lot of tools here but all will help us to determine a proper eq'ing of our audios. Now lets look into what we should be doing with the eq.
The purpose of the equalizer is simple. To make an audio sound better. As in vocals it can improve an audio and help it set int he mix. With instruments, it can find proper placement for the instrument, as they all sound have certain frequencies which they fill up within the eq's spectrum.
Messing around with it we can hear that if we pull up any frequency that it changes the loudness/sound of the audio. Hence we all know that Eq's do this. However, which is better? Cut or add? There are many that will tell you to ONLY use the reduction method. I've tried this and found it to be a bastardization of what is music engineering. Listen, you step into any professional studio, and you will seem them boost away like crazy. There is a reason. They are working with clean audio files, and have had amazing artists doing the recording. The best theory then?...Whatever fits the moment.
Lets start with some basic principals of audio to give you guys that need concrete info. Okay we know good and well that there is certain frequencies that are attuned to certain instruments/sounds.
Vocals:
Highs: usually 7000hz and above
Presence: Usually around 1000-2000hz
Body: 100-350hz
Good 808's
Usually around 64-120hz
Now there are several different sounds that acquire several frequencies, but don't let these numbers take you as a requirement. You have to learn to make them fit according to the audio you are using, as each is different and these are not concrete settings, just guidelines. Your best friend in setting an eq is going to be your ears. No one else is going to be able to tell YOU where the exact number is.
Lets focus on any sound that you are going to use, I'm going to use a vocal. First lets pull up our PAZ Frequency or whatever software you can find to monitor your frequencies being played. Notice where your levels are and also notice the sound you are hearing.....
First off we can tell that just below the 250hz mark is where out lowest peak is. Remember this is a Vocal Track. You may see a slight increase just below 125hz and below, but know these are not vocal sounds. So the first the we can do is know that on the low end to use a high-pass filter. Which will cut all audio below a certain point, in this instance it will be just below 250hz....
So here we can see the high-pass filter being used at the 200hz frequency. This should also be done with instruments, listen and use your frequency analyzer to determine where the low peak is and where you need to make the cut. To much clutter in a low region where there is no real sound, will cause devastating effects on your tracks. In the instance of vocals, I have found that several artists have hit the microphone and this have caused spikes in this area that were not even vocals at all...Silly artists.
Now lets use our ears a bit instead of eyes. Listen to the track and you will probably hear it isn't what you are looking for, perhaps it is too boxy or has a nasality about it. Lets find those annoying sounds and get them out of there.
Lets first make a bell curve and adjust the Q setting to sweep our audio and find that annoying sound....
Here you can see the 2 point in the eq is set on a bell curve, looking like a hump in the type setting, and the gain is adjusted to its maximum setting and the Q is set to a slightly increased level. We are going to try to pinpoint the sound now. Simply take the frequency setting and begin moving it down and up the EQ spectrum and listen until you hear a sound that is so loud/bad, it hurts your ears...
Now once you find this sound begin dialing it down until you hear that the vocal begins to sound a less annoying, as it were. A tip of advice, don't adjust the cut so much that it is bottomed out...This will cause the audio to become unrealistic and will cause other issues. For this Vocal Track, I found my trouble frequency to be around the 847hz level, so I made my cut as such...
Now notice my cut is only of about -5.4. Not a dramatic cut at all, but it was enough. Remember that cutting has more of an effect on the ear than boosting. So now lets listen again, are there anymore troubling frequencies? If so follow the same steps again. Don't get cut crazy though, you will find that you will cut out too much or eventually cut a good frequencies from the file. Now with this particular Vocal, I wanted it to stand out a bit more in my mix. I knew that a reference for presence is in the 1000-2000hz range. So lets give a little boost there...
Now once again not a dramatic boost either. Another bell curve at the 2000hz range exactly, and only of about 2.5 on the gain level. Now my Vocal is starting to sound better...Lets listen again...My vocal now doesn't seem to be as crisp as I would like..Lets boost the high-end a bit...
Now this is known as a shelf, which means it lifts all frequencies above a certain point and keeps them at the same boost level. Now I have boosted at 7000 and only of about 3.0 in gain. Which was enough to supply my Vocal Track with the crispness that it needed.
Now you could compare the Vocal with the music and see if it stands out too much or if its just right. Now if it is overbearing and doesn't mix well begin cutting the low end a bit at the 200-847hz level, as this is from our high-pass filter to our bell curve cut at 847hz. Make sure you use another bell curve in the cut, although this time, make sure the Q is wider to adjust the body of the vocal better...
Now these settings can be applied to any sound. I used a vocal because they are easier. Now for any other instrument. Listen to it, where are the lows? Determine using your analyzer and eq where the high-pass filter should go. Use your ears and sweep the eq to take away annoying frequencies, and use your ears and sweep the eq at a lower gain to determine where your should boost to make the sound stand out.
Now that I have finished these two predominant tools of the engineer and producer. The next post will be over effects chains and how to use them. Not a long one at all but worth the read I assure you.
Guys once again I enjoy posting these, I hope you guys are learning from them, if you are confused or have questions/comments on how I can improve the blog, please leave you comment.
As always be sure to share us on facebook, subscribe to the right here, and comment and view my page and check out my beats. I have put a lot of work into them.
G-Rage Productions Inc. All beats $20 lease!!!
You can always email me here if you have any questions
We Are Beat Makerz
No comments:
Post a Comment