Is automating EQ curves a normal process when mixing down?

[littlejim84]

Hello.

I'm curious to know if automating EQ curves in a normal process when mixdown music? I deal mostly with bass heavy music, which has kicks, bass and other bits that are down the bottom end.

Having parts (where no bass/sub is) has a lower cut off, and then automating this to become a higher cut off when the bass/sub is present... So they sit better.

Is this a normal process? Or is it really a case of 'if it sounds good, it's right?'

Just curious really. Thanks!

[Sam-k]

Sounds like you need to have a look into 'sidechaining'.

Compressor sidechaining for dance music

[littlejim84]

Originally Posted by Sam-k

Sounds like you need to have a look into 'sidechaining'.

Compressor sidechaining for dance music

Cheers for the reply man. Been using this technique too. But it's a case of some of these elements (example, a dramic reverb bass kick sound - which has sub, bass and mid) which features in a intro and the main parts with the bassline. I've used sidechaining, with EQ control, for only when the sub parts come from those sort of sounds will then sidechain the bassline, but it still doesn't quite have the 'space' I'm after.

[tehlord]

As a purveyor of extraordinarily bass heavy dance tunes I automate EQ all the time. Mostly for sweep effects but also for pulling down certain parts that feature in an intro or break that levelling alone wont get sitting right when the mix gets busy.

[alehoe]

if it sounds good, then why not??

[littlejim84]

Originally Posted by alehoe

if it sounds good, then why not??

Thanks for replies. No, definitely true...

Like I say, was just curious if this was a general technique. I'm sitting here at work, waiting to get home, to remix one of my tunes and I have some ideas I want to implement...

(hence, seeing and being curious ;)

[Sam-k]

Originally Posted by littlejim84

I'm sitting here at work, waiting to get home, to remix one of my tunes and I have some ideas I want to implement...

This always happens to me but by the time i get home I can never remember exactly what I was wanted to do

[littlejim84]

Originally Posted by Sam-k

This always happens to me but by the time i get home I can never remember exactly what I was wanted to do

Mate, tell me about it! ...and I've used all my holiday up till April next year and no xmas holiday... Frustration...!

[Stepwise Sound]

I'm curious to know if automating EQ curves in a normal process when mixdown music

Having parts (where no bass/sub is) has a lower cut off, and then automating this to become a higher cut off when the bass/sub is present... So they sit better.

It depends on the song but yep, I do this a lot and consider this a "normal process"

Particularly for intros -- maybe the bass hasn't come in yet but the guitars are playing. So yeh, have the guitars extend lower then roll the lows off more when the bass comes in.

It's not something I try to overthink too much -- if it feels like the guitars aren't full enough I'll do it.

[Wayne]

Yes same same here, transitions and such mostly. Not all that much on normal inside stuff -but a whole shit load on some live gig tracks with different singers, players shifting around..