whats the device that finds the peak frequency of a sample
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Posted on Mar 28, 2003 12:03 pm
koolio
Member Since: Mar 27, 2003
hi
i have to samples that are clashing its a snare and a kick and on there own they sound find but when played on top of each other they kind ofmould in to each other (the kick + snare that is) is there a programme that lets you find out what frequency a sample is peaking at so i could possible change this with a parametric.
many thanks
Koolio
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Mar 28, 2003 04:00 pm koolio,
I'm not sure about a device that will do what you're asking, but you really shouldn't need any such thing. By properly EQing and Compressing the snare and kick, you can easily get nice definition out of both tracks.
Here are some "starting point" EQ and Compressor settings that have been given in another thread by our trusty companion jues. Give them a try and then adjust to taste.
Kick Drum
EQ:
Roll off under 60Hz, boost at 80Hz by 8dB plus, medium Q. Cut at 450Hz, again, medium Q - loose about 8dB. Boost at 2.5Khz, Tight Q by about 8+ dB. High Shelf above 5Khz, boost by about 2-4dB.
Compressor:
Set the ratio to about 4:1 - this will even out the louder hits but still allow for some dynamic range. Set the attack to about 15ms (That'd be 4 or 5 "ticks" past slow on a knob selector) and the release to about 85ms (but it depends on the speed of the track - the faster the track, the quicker the release). This will give the kick a more accented attack which will help it cut through.
Snare Drum
EQ:
Roll off under 80Hz, boost at 450Hz, medium Q by about 3-6dB. Boost at 2.5Khz by about 3dB with an open Q
Compressor:
I like REALLY cutting snares - the type that could cut through concrete, let alone a distorted guitar :) I set the ratio to about 8:1 (I told you I like it sounding compressed :) and the attack to about 25ms and the Release to about 120ms (again, depends on the tempo of the piece - the faster it is, the shorter the release time) - this will again, give it an accented attack, but will then give it a REALLY solid sustain and release - just keep pushing that threhold down until it starts to scream at you - and remember to jack up the output gain to compensate.
What you're doing here with the EQ is giving each drum it's own space in the frequency range. This is an important concept to understand! In order to get a nice mix that doesn't get muddy, you need to use this principal with all of your tracks. The general idea is to not have multiple tracks competing for the same frequencies.
There are lots of discussions in the forums here on the topics of EQ and compression. I would recommend that you check some of them out and then try applying your new knowledge. Hope this helps.
Mar 28, 2003 04:37 pm wow blue, your posts are beginnign to look like jues's posts. you've almost got a Recording Tips article right there LOL.
i was thinking.. i know a kick and a snare are generally within two entirely differnet freq spectrums, but could koolio be experiencing some sort of phase problem?
Mar 28, 2003 05:17 pm Well, if you notice Jamie, a large part of my above post is taken straight from a couple of posts by jues. When I can come up with this stuff right off the top of my head, I'll know I'm getting somewhere!
Generally, I wouldn't think that phasing would be the problem here because of the different freq ranges like you said. However, in this case, since it sounds like there is too much cross-over between the freq ranges of the two drums as it is, I suppose phasing could be possible though unlikely. Since the tracks are of two different sources, I don't think there is too much chance that they would phase each other....
Where's jues now that we need him!?
Mar 28, 2003 06:08 pm oh yeah,, i see that now..
i'm a littl eout of it today.
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Mar 28, 2003 07:47 pm Hehehehe!
I had a couple of pints after work, and I was reading through Blue's reply and was thinking "Damn, I'm sure I wrote exactly the same thing a few months ago"
:D
Oh, and in regards to phasing issues - hmmm, incredibly unlikely with sampled drums. But still, there is one easy way to find out - just invert the phase and see if that fixes things.
jues.
Mar 28, 2003 08:05 pm Yeah, I'm a rip off artist!
koolioMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Mar 30, 2003 03:33 pm yeah thats why i kinda thought there might be a device that can say yeah the kick drum is peaking at 150 and so is the bla bla at 160 hence i could cut and boost to give them there own bandwidth, i personally think it was some kind of phase cancellations.
cause when i played them on solo they sounded fine the minute they were together they were merging in the end i changed the kick and it was sorted was just kinda bugging me though :(.
Ru guys mostly pro engineers then, i have just started a course in sound engineering does anyone have any difficult questions i could trick my teachers with or anything :) thanks
by the way if anyone would like to hear some of my stuff check out my website
www.geocities.com/kooldubz
thanks
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Mar 31, 2003 04:50 pm Far from it I'd say - most of us here just have small (ish) home project studios and just do receording because it's something we like (and like to think we're good at :)
I'm just at the end of a 2 year degree course in sound engineering which has been really usefull and will undoubtedly aid in me finding a proper job in the industry.
As for trick questions - hmm, Ask them what the 'MixB' function on a Soundcraft Ghost does .... I'd love to know :D
jues.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 31, 2003 10:01 pm Im lucky to have been able to build a professional studio into my house. I have had a project studio in my house for about 12 years or so and have been lucky enough to work in full studios for over 30 years. I still venture out on occasion to a bigger studio when the project might need it, but for the most part, I have everything I need right here. I like many others here though, do have another job as I dont really do this full time any more. Although things are looking to pick up a bit, so I may jump back into it in a more full time roll.
I am lucky also that the studio has more then paid for itself and the gear and software it requires. That is sometimes the hardest part to overcome for a small private studio. But I can take my pick of the projects I get involved with and not worry about where my next meal is coming from, or if I can make my house payment. So it makes it easier to run this place and enjoy it and relax while Im here.
koolioMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Apr 02, 2003 03:13 am have just uploaded 3 new tracks for you to hear at www.geocities.com/kooldubz if you interested.
also another little question when i make my beats is it a good idea to add a soft clipper on th master mix, as i make my beats first and then bounce them down as wav's.
it seems to make everytying nice n tidy but it does seem to change the sound what are you guys thoughts
you lots studios make mine look silly i have logic and wavelab and thats it.
Apr 03, 2003 01:37 pm koolio
i think cool edit pro has some frequency analysis algorithms built in. i've played around with them but was unable to figure out what they meant or what to do about it. ha
plenty of copies available online. if youre into that sorta thing.
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Apr 03, 2003 06:41 pm Fortymile, I'm not 100% sure about this, but your last post seems to be infering the use of pirated software avaliable for download on the net.
Obviously we can't promote or be seen to promote this kind of material, and as a result it would probably be a good idea to refrain from such comments in the future :)
peace,
jues.
Apr 03, 2003 08:34 pm right, right. thats why i said 'if youre into that sort of thing.' obviously its a better solution for everyone to buy the software you intend to use.
koolioMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Apr 05, 2003 02:07 am yeah thanks guys nah i am not into that kind of software hidden virus's and all that too much hassle for me but thanks anyway i will check out cool edit i currently use wavelab which i like alot
Apr 05, 2003 03:51 am Just to answer the original question....you're looking for a spectrum analyzer. There's one I used a while back made by PAS called Spectrum Analyzer Pro, and it was real cool. As far as not needing one, I disagree. Yes, EQ and compression will help solve the problem, but not everyone has a set of engine-EARS on them. (engineers, get it?!) In that case, a spectrum analyzer is a great tool to help determine visually what's going on in a particular frequency range. Of course, music is audible, not visual, so I wouldn't rely on an analyzer for everything, but they can help you out of some tight spots.
ed
