Parametric equalizers
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Posted on Dec 05, 2008 11:34 am
Jay54
Member Since: Nov 15, 2008
I can understand where a parametric equalizer is useful in when a number of instruments are being used. Or in the world of Rock music, where the music is somewhat intense. However, I play country music much like the 60s' country. I only use a lead, bass and rhythm guitar, snare, hi-hat and ride, and occasionally a piano. Is this enough to warrant looking into a parametric equalizer?
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Dec 05, 2008 12:32 pm Are you asking for live or recording?
In live music, we tend to use 31 band graphic EQ's. We really only use parametric EQ's when we are running a lav mic.
The reason being, is that we are looking to reduce feedback, and sculpt the sound to a reasonable flat response.
For recording, your board or program already has parametric EQ's.
Jay54Member
Since: Nov 15, 2008
Dec 05, 2008 01:15 pm So then I really need to learn how to use it eventhough I don't have a lot of instrumentation or play really intense music.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Dec 05, 2008 01:27 pm Again, is this for recording or for live performance?
Dec 05, 2008 01:58 pm You seem to have this hang up about the number of instruments and intensity.
That has no bearing on weather to use a parametric or graphic.
A parametric EQ is an EQ that is just in a rotatory knob form. They can have a fixed or variable value to them.
In a fixed, the knob is assigned to a group of frequencies that you can raise or lower their level. Think of you home stereo. Where you can adjust the low, mid, and high's.
In a variable EQ, you have much more control. Here you pick the frequency, set the "Q", (Which is how wide of the frequency range your grabbing.) and the level.
Either way, all you are doing, is adjusting the sound to be more natural in sound to your ear. So, every channel of your board has some form of parametric EQ on it. How loud or intense has bearing on when you use a parametric EQ.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Dec 05, 2008 06:13 pm true that, i guess you just listen to what you've recorded in the past and ask yerself, do i need to neaten up some eq in this track or on this instrument?
i reckon you can always use a tad.
(A tad? this coming from me, the eq junkie, i think im learning from myself.)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 05, 2008 10:10 pm Yep, a graphic EQ normally uses a fairly wide Q or frequency band. That is not nearly as useful for refining an instrument's sound and getting it to have a separate voice in the mix. It can work, but not as well as a parametric which can be targeted to a much narrower frequency range and target on very small detail of a frequency.
McMerkinHobbyist musician,pro recorderMember
Since: May 15, 2007
Dec 09, 2008 01:17 pm And of course in mixing/mastering if you are looking for a troublesome noise/frequency the parametric is vital in that you can "sweep" all the frequencies until you find the offending one...with graphic eq's you are limited to whatever range they choose, which again usually has a larger Q footprint than you might want to adjust.
