Mar 16, 2006 02:07 pm A 30 band EQ can make thinner, more granular changes, whereas a three band make much wider scope changes...I never use the mixer EQ's...
Analog vs Digital Eq-ing
Posted on Mar 16, 2006 02:05 pm
Mat
Music Enthusiast
Member Since: Jan 24, 2003
I've searched the forums database for an hour and can't find a specific answer for my question. I was wondering if there is a big difference in eq-ing from the board (hi,mid,low) vs a 30-band eq in software? What are the benefits of each? Can the analog eq really impart a 'warmth' to the recording? Or should I just record everything flat and post-eq with the software's multi-band eq? The greater flexibility of more bands is obvious to me. I'm just wondering if it's worth doing it this way.
It's just much easier to eq on the board!
Thanks guys!
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Mar 16, 2006 02:07 pm A 30 band EQ can make thinner, more granular changes, whereas a three band make much wider scope changes...I never use the mixer EQ's...
Mar 16, 2006 02:25 pm The big difference for me is that you can't undo EQ settings that were made on your mixer once its committed to tape/disk. But if you use flat EQ settings on your mixer/outboard gear, then you can EQ and undo as much as you want in software.
If you don't like your EQ settings in software, just change them. But if you don't like your mixer EQ settings, you have to re-record the track with different settings.
Mar 16, 2006 02:29 pm it also kind of depends on what you're going to be doing with the signal after it leaves the board.
if you're sending the signal(s) to a PA setup, and doing live sound, then you may be much happier with the 3 knob on the mixer, much quicker, and less to fiddle with, plus one less component in the chain to foul up.
Or, if you're sending the signal(s) to a recording device, then you may want to leave the mixer knobs flat, and only perform EQ functions in the mixing device. It seems that the digital vein lends itself much more to this type of thinking: apply EQ or other effects after it's recorded, then you can change around stuff all you want.
If you're recording to tape, then the 30 band EQ would be a much better solution, (even though it's between your mixer and the tape) as you can tailor your sound before it hits the tape, much better than a 3 knob job would do.
Like dB, i don't use the mixer knobs when recording, preferring to get everything into the PC as flat as possible, then EQ later with a VST plugin, or the software's built in EQ.
Mar 16, 2006 10:14 pm I completely agree on recording flat with no EQ at all. Then dong the EQ on the tracks that are recorded.
I prefer using a multiband parametric EQ myself as things can be tuned much finer then a graphic, or even a paragraphic.
Mar 17, 2006 01:33 pm Thanks for your input guys (no pun intended). I'll make sure to drill that in my head once for all...
Mar 19, 2006 12:59 pm I don't know what kind of board your using, that info would help, but I don't know why you would use Digital VST eq's over your hardware. Yes, their easier but their not real. A board is built of expensive componants that will give your signal life. If it's a nice board, the boards eq amps (and everything in the signal flows path for your insert affects) will sound MUCH warmer and fuller then binary will be able to give you. I've got the diamond pack plugins for protools and I'd NEVER use those eq's over the SSLs, or the AMEK either. And it's the same for compression as well, but I woulden't rely on the boards comp, I'd get myself a nice rack peice.
Mar 19, 2006 01:06 pm Actually, I said I'd never use the EQ's in protools before the board, which is a lie, I often do on things that arent lead parts, and don't really matter too much anyways because I mic'd them pretty well in the first place. And if I'm just doing a quick blueprint job I'd use the VSTs too.
Also, somebody was saying that the EQ on your board is permenate. Well, thats obvious, if your record with them, but when your reading off the MTR you can EQ all day and it won't be saved, since the original source is on the MTR. The obvious reason for this is when you found the EQ settings you want, you would bounce them wet to your MTR again. And that still doesent mean you have to delete your orginal source.
Mar 19, 2006 07:26 pm Quote:
A board is built of expensive componants that will give your signal life.
And active components that will give your signal noise : )
But I like outboard EQ'ing better, and I would get a nice rack piece as well if i could afford it. The nice gear does seem to add a little character to the sound, but its not for everybody.
I'll usually use a 4 band parametric EQ plug in in cubase and if i can be bothered I'll shoot some signal to my Avalon 737 while mixing. I don't really use my desk too much because it doesn't have enough control.
Mar 19, 2006 08:51 pm To better state that, an EXPENSIVE board is built of expensive components, a cheap board is built of cheap components...buy wisely...
Mar 19, 2006 09:38 pm I dont mean this to sound bad so take it as it is.
Even in the days I had access to SSL and NEVE and others. EQ was not something I would put to tape unless I was absolutely certain the track needed it before being commited to the recording. Even then, mistakes were made that required a completely new take to be recorded. And in those cases, time is money! Re-doing a badly EQ'd take cost much more in time then recording the take without excesive addative EQ and simply tweaking the EQ afterward.
And I dont know how the ProTools EQ are, but I dont have any problem getting my DSP EQ to sound very stellar here. And honestly, if you simply take the time to learn your digital processor's you will learn to make them sound analog in time.
Experimentation will go a long way when it comes to using DSP effects these days. Combining certain pluggins can emulate analog very nicely if you simply think of what will work with what, you will find you can attain those sounds with what you have.
Mar 26, 2006 09:04 pm i set my EQs after recording. like tadpui said, u cant undo anolog. plus with digital u can see wut frequencies ur boosting and u can find free perametric EQs so theres always even more options. anolog is usually tougher because its harder to find wut u want to boost or scoop with a knob that only says "hi -15 through +15" and stuff like that
Mar 27, 2006 10:40 am I set my EQ's on my mixer to 12 O'clock, but then I usually run the aux to a parametric EQ. Then if I need to tweak the sound in the DAW, I only have to tweak a little (usually just to make it fit better in the mix). A good sound going in helps tremendously!
I think parametric EQ's are so much better at pinpointing frequencies than graphic EQ's.
Mar 27, 2006 07:45 pm Amen to that one TallChap!
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