Mixing Article question...
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Posted on Jun 04, 2006 05:35 am
Snake_Bite
Wannabe Producer/Tech Student
Member Since: Aug 11, 2005
ive been reading this article below
www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=154
it all makes perfect sence and would like to start doing this, the only problem i have is how do you know which instruments are sharing the same frequencies? how can you see the frequency curve for an instrument? im quit clear that you drop out frequenices to seperate instruments, but how do you find out which instruments you need to do that on?
if it helps, im using cubase sx2
thanks guys
chris
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flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Jun 04, 2006 10:03 am wow, Royston? I'm just outside of Cambridge, so not too far away.
Did you get Wavelab with your Cubase? I forget whether it comes with it or not. You need a frequency analyser vst to show you the frequencys in cubase I guess...
Jun 04, 2006 10:23 am You can usually make estimates based on how each instrument sounds. A squealing trumpet or fiddle would be mostly in the highs, a guitar may have alot of mids defining its character, and bass instruments are obviously in the bass frequencies. So you can start with an estimate of where to cut or boost and then do a little trial and error based on how everything sounds.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 04, 2006 03:46 pm Also, you can find a couple freeware grequancy anilyzers out there to view exactly what is going on in the mix. You can look at individual tracks or the entire mix to wee what is going on.
Or there is always HarBal which can make things very easy. I have used it on individual tracks, though it is mainly used for the over all mix.
Jun 04, 2006 09:01 pm Hey Noize, can you point me towards a good freeware frequency analyzer? I did some looking around but I kept coming accross the same one which seems pretty lame.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 04, 2006 09:07 pm Here is a link to the good ones on KVR.
www.kvraudio.com/get.php?...t=1&rpp=100
I use both the Elemental Audio one and the PAZ which is way spendy. I have a couple others as well I havent used for a time, but if I dig them up I will let you know what they are.
But most of those listed should do well.
Jun 04, 2006 10:03 pm Thanks a bunch
Jun 05, 2006 01:22 am Frequency analyzers can help sway your EQ decision when you have a couple fighting tracks, or tell you if a finished track is gonna hit weird on a system that you're unfarmiliar with, or even save you from replicating CD's with a permanent overload in certain frequencies, but overall, my sentiment is,.. perfect the art of listening. It took me 7-8 years of detailed listening at various levels of all styles to really jive with the EQ process. Also, really learn at least one monitoring source so you have a solid anchor as to where "flat" really is. I use Mackie 824's and/or Sony MDR 7509 headphones (closed back). Regardless, many times every element in a mix needs at least some notching or tweaking. A good rule of thumb is when EQing; cut narrow, boost wide, better to cut than boost. Cutting rather than boosting helps maintain a workable gain structure throughout the remainder of the mixing process. I Don't have my scanner working, but p.32 of the Mixing Engineer's Handbook, by MIX magazine, by Bobby Owsinski, has a chart showing instruments and their magic frequencies. Learning these saved me some time and hearing and also made me realize that sometimes I was making bad mic choices for certain sound sources. I refer to this chart a few times a year, especially when mixing a band. Good luck.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jun 05, 2006 09:20 am here's one that's been recommended. I've not used it, but some here have, and liked it.
www.voxengo.com/product/SPAN/
Jun 05, 2006 09:47 am thank you carbonic!
yes listening is how you tell, not looking, here's what i do...
create a good boost of 6-12db's with a mid q, then sweep the whole spectrum until you can't hear one track....say your guitars are fighting with the vocals (which almost ALWAYS will happen) boost the guitar's eq and sweep until it completely covers the vocals (without changing volume fader settings)....when you can't hear the vox, that's where you cut..tighten up the q and notch that mofo out.
Jun 05, 2006 07:02 pm Aye, tis easier to have a good listen.
I find it works best to first have all channels LEVEL on volume and panned RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE!!
Then, start panning a bit and adjusting volumes slightly so they all peak around the same.
THEN, kick in the EQ where needed when space wont solve the problem i.e. panning ... works fine well for me.
All the best
Coco.
Jun 06, 2006 12:38 am yup cocoa, unity gain on all the sliders and you're off. That works fine for me too. EQing pre or post panning has worked for me differently depending on the sound source... especially with really monophonic low-fi stuff. Hey, I tried to check out that show you had web casted a while back but had no luck with the player. Got that link again and/or any suggestions ?
Jun 06, 2006 12:40 am yup cocoa, unity gain on all the sliders and you're off. That works fine for me too. EQing pre or post panning has worked for me differently depending on the sound source... especially with really monophonic low-fi stuff. Hey, I tried to check out that show you had web casted a while back but had no luck with the player. Got that link again and/or any suggestions ?
Jun 06, 2006 12:41 am there's an echo in here ! lol
Jun 06, 2006 08:48 am 120,000ms
er atleast i think that's right
Jun 16, 2006 04:12 pm are freeware eq analyzers safe? I was always told any freeware has a virus or spyware or something. And if they are safe, would they work with Pro Tools LE?
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 16, 2006 05:22 pm Woah, I'm not sure who told you that all freeware is infected with malware but its simply not true.
Anything that you download from the internet and install on your machine could potentially have a virus or spyware attached to it, but all it takes is some common sense and knowledge of safe-surfing practices to avoid contracting a computer virus.
I can't remember the last time I had a virus, and I tend to visit all the different dark corners of the internet. I also use a lot of freeware/shareware.
I can't remember if Pro Tools allows use of 3rd-party plugins or not.
Jun 16, 2006 08:02 pm I don't believe Pro Tools allows 3rd party plug-ins which is a common complaint. If I remember correctly, I don't use it myself.
