datamusicata

The other day I was talking about using parametric EQ and I realized that there were a couple of simple techniques I should have included.

One is to always consider recording it as best you can.  Start by getting the best signal sound you can.   Caca in equals caca out.    Start there.   If it doesn’t sound right, try different positions on the mic, different settings, different mics and change your proximity to the mic until you find the ideal way to record whatever instrument you are recording and then remember how to do that.   Write it down if you have to.

Then when you get to the next project you are one leg up on the process.   Now we get to EQ.

Two, would be to always consider deductive EQ first.    Think about sucking out offending frequencies instead of boosting frequencies until all the sounds are unnatural , boxy or just plain not fun to hear.  

That’s something to remember:  you want your recordings to be fun for the ear to hear.   Now I realize that that is subjective because I am of the opinion that ALL my recordings are fun to hear.    I put in as many fun things to listen to and for as I could and still serve the song.

Okay, back to the EQ thing.    There are a lot of frequencies that aren’t actually heard by the ear that can fill up your signal and make it overload, so try a moderate low pass filter on each track.  

A low pass filter is merely one that chooses a cut off frequency and all the frequencies below the specified one are muted.     I have one set a 80 hz and I try that one first to see what it does to the sound of the instrument.   I also have a filter set at a fast slope from 80 hz down to zero.  

And all these filters are adjustable, of course, so you start there and then fine tune them for the instrument that you are recording. 

Using these will give you more headroom when you are summing all the tracks for a mix.

Now there are some instruments that need these low frequencies and / or don’t need the high frequencies, so you do the same thing at the other end.   But all these adjustments are minor and must be used with discretion.

Then when you are listening back after doing these things you can consider a small boost in certain frequencies (.5 to 1 db).    Serve the song, serve the track, serve the recording and make what you want to have happen, happen.

And use your favorite recordings when you are recording and mixing to help you focus on a sound that you like and / or want.