EQ for spatial separation at tracking or mixdown?

naclhead wrote on 2/11/2002, 11:31 AM
Just for the I'm using Sonic Foundry AcidPro 3, Vegas Audio 1, and sOund forge 5 with a Celeron 700 and 256MgRAM.

I'm on a mission to master my mixing skills. So I'm trying get a handle on putting everything in it's own space. The suggestions about raising and lowering certain eq frequencies for competing intruments make a ton of sense.

So my question is, then, should that be done during track or mixing or both. I just recorded some bass tracks so I kept the 80Hz down bumped 450Hz slightly, so as to separated them from the drums. Now when I go to mix down do I do that again. Or should I record the instruments in at full eq where it sounds good by itself and to that spearation thing only at mix down time.

Todd
NaCL

Comments

PipelineAudio wrote on 2/11/2002, 1:41 PM
I like to leave all my option open, but, In certain cases when you are micing an instrument you can sweep the frequencies of a hi pass or lo pass or both, filter and if what you take out was information that contributed NOTHING good, to the sound of that instrument, you may find a MUCH easier time of finding space for everything during the mixdown phase.

Software eq's and filters are very hard to dial in correctly due to their non realtime nature, its easier to ditch unwanted frequencies during tracking. But be DAMN sure you wanted to ditch those frequencies or you will be sorry later on.

Some examples:
Hi pass filters on hi hat tracks, ride cymbals, "spanky " guitars( as you may not want to faithfully capture that 60hz hum anyways), sometimes the hi pass filter switch found on microphones, when doing vocals...

Lo pass filters on jazz toms and kicks, lo pass filters on " bonky " basses, NOT on slap basses.

naclhead wrote on 2/11/2002, 4:00 PM
Maybe I should have added that during tracking I would be using hardware eq via the mixing board. It's a Makie 1604vlz. I know it's not a recording board but it's all I have. And it does have a sweepable mid eq on each track as well as high and low.
PipelineAudio wrote on 2/11/2002, 4:19 PM
Thats perfect. And exactly what Im talking about. Hardware eq's due to their instant response to your control, REALY allow you to take a good look at what should and what should not go to tape. The hi and lo shelving eq's on a mackie are especially usefull for filtering out junk. But be careful not to throw the babay out with the bathwater.

You may ask " why not just EQ it after it was recorded?"

In some cases, the *way* a sound goes to tape will be different depending on EQ, as an example, a wind noise booming into a mic, could be filtered out on the way to tape, but once its there on tape you will have a hard time ditching it.

errr substitute " tape ' for " hard disk track " or whatever