EQ Cheat Sheet: Simple Guidelines for Effective Equalization — Produce Like A Pro

EQ Cheat Sheet: Simple Guidelines for Effective Equalization — Produce Like A Pro:

Understanding equalization–probably the most widely used signal processor available to engineers–is essential to making records sound their absolute best. Sometimes it’s as simple as high-passing an instrument in the proper spot, while other cases require a bit more attention and precision. Either way, EQ is fundamental to making mix elements sound more or less defined, larger or smaller, or “better” versus “different.” Having a general reference like an EQ cheat sheet will help get you where you want to go more quickly.

In response to a request at the Produce Like a Pro Academy I went hunting for some easy to access cheatsheets. This is one of a few.

The Ultimate EQ Cheat Sheet for Every Common Instrument

The Ultimate EQ Cheat Sheet for Every Common Instrument:

A subtractive approach to EQ

Not everyone’s ethos on EQ is the same, and most people may never see eye to eye on EQ approach. That being said, I come from the camp that subtractive over additive tends to be better for your mix in most cases. Now, I’m not saying to live in a strictly subtractive world; I do make boosts from time to time when needed or appropriate, but it’s probably a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio of cuts to boosts.

The question was asked in the Produce Like a Pro Academy. Here is one idea of a “standard” EQ cheatsheet.

X-Touch — Logic Pro X — “Single” mode on mixer

X-Touch — Logic Pro X — “Single” mode on mixer:

I have track stacks, summing, for things like DRUMS, VOX, what have you. I arrange them such that the “Arrange” window as well as the mixer has things in order like VOX, v1, v2, v3… where I can collapse VOX and only deal with the plugins and faders on the bus.

That’s nice. I like it.

I am losing track of where I get involved in discussions and question/answer dialogue.

Time to start posting blog entries with links to the topics. Not clear if these links work for non members of the forums, but hey, this is for me 😉

Mixing Vocals: What Makes a “Professional” Vocal Sound

@iZotope

Mixing Vocals: What Makes a “Professional” Vocal Sound:

When learning how to mix music, beginner engineers can often become discouraged when comparing their work to professional mixes. They know the tools (EQ, compressor, etc.) and how to use them, but for some reason they don’t get the same results. However, knowing what’s actually happening in the sound of a professional mix can help clear things up. In no domain is this more obvious and important than in mixing vocals.

Homework and course work.

I keep finding these things in my mailbox, on the web, wherever. I have the tools needed. I have lots of recordings (not exactly controllable), and a desire to make mixes with better sounding vocals. Particular attention needs to be paid to the live vocals I have.

Added the video series to the iZotope binder.