improving presence posted by zekthede...

improving presence

Posted on Jun 05, 2002 03:25 pm
zekthedeadcow
Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member Since: May 11, 2002

I'm having problems with hardcore bands and overall presence of the mix. and this is probably a mastering issue. I get a band mixed down and it sounds good but noticably amature when played next to a more professional recording (namely Zao). . . I'm thinking a lot of it is the fact that they probably had their guitar EQ cranked with no highend as I haven't had this problem with softer rock artists.

Also the recording was direct through XLR outs on the amp (Line 6) They already like the mix. . . even though they are really picky about tone but I know it can be better when played next to a song from Zao.

I've got them to the point of actually having highend and was wondering if anyone else had something to suggest.

I have a friend who records with everything completey at 0 on the EQ's and I'm going to compair this to that later tonight. . .and time to buy an outboard audio analyser :)

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shepherdsam
patron saint of quality footwear
Member
Since: May 30, 2002

Jun 05, 2002 06:35 pm

You might try lessening the reverb if you have any on the guitars. That sometimes makes my heavier stuff stand out.

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jun 05, 2002 09:59 pm

As a rule, I alway's record with all the EQ's flat. There are exception's however to that rule. The only time I twist up any Q is after failed attempt's at gettin the sound I want in flat and then working it to a decent sound. But the occasion for that is rare.

What happen's when you boost EQ going to tape, or hard-disk or whatever is you are adding noize to the mix. Sometime's this is a good thing, but most time's it is not. Becuase the noize will end up drowning out what might have been a good but soft signal that only needed to be leveled up.

Bottom line is, it is your choice in the end, but recording the signal flat first then EQing after is the most suitable way to go. But it is not necasseraly the only way to go.

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Jun 06, 2002 07:21 am

I am in agreement with Noize on that, record flat if you can, and possibly role of the lows a little on the guitars to get them out of the way of the bass and drums..if they are all trying to get your attention in the same frequncy range it can get muddy and nasty. Also, when the mix is good and you have premastered down to a stereo mix, try giving it a little "UltraMaximizer" ( service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear ) or "Magneto" ( service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear ) if you have either of those plugins, that is well will add some punch and power to the sound...