I need to know whats a good equalizer to get for recording vocals, My mics aren't getting the sound I want in my recording space. So I wanted to get a good eq.
Not sure what kind of eq is usually used for this purpose, Obviously I want something that doesn't add any noise, and I'll probably need something with flexibility. I'm almost sure I won't end up being happy with a fixed frequency eq.
So what should I get.. trying to get something around $50-$200, could be higher retail because I might buy used if its my best option.
Your solution is the wrong answer for the problem, but I have a Midas XL-42 mic pre with 2 channels of that beautiful sweet eq from the Midas XL4 console built in.
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+1 to Bill's answer. You should probably look at fixing your recording space, spend that $200 on a better microphone, or buy a preamp (if you don't already have one). If you answer my questions, I'll tell you what I think is the best solution.
Well I thought my mics were just too bass heavy, Think I've come to the conclusion its the small space I'm in.. with EQ I can filter out the bassy lows post-recording and have a real good sound but I need that sound pre-recording to have a better performance, Ive been through alot of mics right now I'm trying to choose between my sterling audio st66 and my shure ksm32, But what do you mean the solution is wrong? Is Eq'n before recording not very acceptable? If its common practice Id love some more suggestions on what to buy
....what do you mean the solution is wrong? Is Eq'n before recording not very acceptable? If its common practice Id love some more suggestions on what to buy
You cannot solve a time domain problem with a frequency domain solution. Your location is probably the cause of the low end buildup.. the mic and where it sits in relationship to either walls and ceilings (like, corners are bad...) or room modes. (see RealTraps.com for a free room mode calculator.)
The answer is probably NOT what to buy, it is what to do with what you have.
You cannot solve a time domain problem with a frequency domain solution. Your location is probably the cause of the low end buildup.. the mic and where it sits in relationship to either walls and ceilings (like, corners are bad...) or room modes. (see RealTraps.com for a free room mode calculator.)
The answer is probably NOT what to buy, it is what to do with what you have.
But bill is it in some way a bad thing to EQ before recording? It's not talked about very much is it because you're not suppose to do it? If you're going to eq post anyways, why does it matter?
The solution could be as simple as hanging some comforters to absorb some of the bass in your space. The mics seem to be plenty fine for some low-end stuff. I'm not sure what you mean when you say that you need to EQ for a better performance? Like the singer doesn't like the sound while it's being monitored, and so the performance comes out bad? Are you using a DAW, and if so, which one?
EQing just isn't a good solution if the room is the problem. Will work to make subtle changes, and fix balance issues, but it just won't fix a recording space. I know the KSM32 has a bass roll off- it's not normally a good idea to use it for this purpose either, but have you tried using it while recording?
Also- what voice type is the singer- Male, female, bass, baritone, soprano etc.?
The solution could be as simple as hanging some comforters to absorb some of the bass in your space. The mics seem to be plenty fine for some low-end stuff. I'm not sure what you mean when you say that you need to EQ for a better performance? Like the singer doesn't like the sound while it's being monitored, and so the performance comes out bad? Are you using a DAW, and if so, which one?
EQing just isn't a good solution if the room is the problem. Will work to make subtle changes, and fix balance issues, but it just won't fix a recording space. I know the KSM32 has a bass roll off- it's not normally a good idea to use it for this purpose either, but have you tried using it while recording?
Also- what voice type is the singer- Male, female, bass, baritone, soprano etc.?
Yea the performance seems to lack because of the bassy problems, I never noticed before while using the hd280 pro's while recording I just thought the pro tools mix down changed the sound alot when monitoring elsewhere, Then I've come to realize the hd280 pro's suck and have such low amount of bass all my other headphones seem to be more superior, so I put them on to record and noticed how bassy everything sounds pre-recording, at this time my recording arrangements cannot be changed so I figure EQ will work. Besides I thought it would be a great feature to EQ tweak different artists prerecording. Is there a reason I shouldn't be EQ'n? (I still haven't got an answer on that)
But bill is it in some way a bad thing to EQ before recording? It's not talked about very much is it because you're not suppose to do it? If you're going to eq post anyways, why does it matter?
You eq in post to make an artistic decision , fitting the instruments together as pieces of a puzzle and carving out space for them in the sound field.
If you don't understand timing problems verses frequency problems in sound, you should look it up, there is a lot to absorb. But as I said above, the better, and better sounding, answer is to move the mic to a different location in the room. Also cheaper.
It is not a rule or anything, and if you are determined to use an eq, go for it. It is not the solution that i would choose.
Yea the performance seems to lack because of the bassy problems, I never noticed before while using the hd280 pro's while recording I just thought the pro tools mix down changed the sound alot when monitoring elsewhere, Then I've come to realize the hd280 pro's suck and have such low amount of bass all my other headphones seem to be more superior, so I put them on to record and noticed how bassy everything sounds pre-recording, at this time my recording arrangements cannot be changed so I figure EQ will work. Besides I thought it would be a great feature to EQ tweak different artists prerecording. Is there a reason I shouldn't be EQ'n? (I still haven't got an answer on that)
It's not that there is anything WRONG with EQing a track, it just isn't a very good solution. It cures the symptom, but not the cause, and isn't undoable. To use a very immature analogy, it's like cutting a hole in your wall so you can get to the bathroom quicker when you have the runs. The question you should be asking is- Why do I have the runs so often that I feel the need to cut a hole in my wall?
Plus, let's say that you cut some bass out while recording, and then go back to mix, and realize that you want the bass back in. Now you're screwed. Why don't you just use an RTAS eq when monitoring so that the sound isn't offensive, fix your space up as best as you can, and fix the rest while mixing?
You eq in post to make an artistic decision , fitting the instruments together as pieces of a puzzle and carving out space for them in the sound field.
If you don't understand timing problems verses frequency problems in sound, you should look it up, there is a lot to absorb. But as I said above, the better, and better sounding, answer is to move the mic to a different location in the room. Also cheaper.
It is not a rule or anything, and if you are determined to use an eq, go for it. It is not the solution that i would choose.
Thanks guys I'll run some tests in other rooms see if I like the sound, But if I don't, is there an eq you could recommend that will not add noise and is pretty versatile in eq'n different frequencies? in my price range of course..
Looks alright. I don't have any experience with this unit specifically, but go for it if you're sure it's what you want to do. I still don't think this is the best solution to the problem.
Looks alright. I don't have any experience with this unit specifically, but go for it if you're sure it's what you want to do. I still don't think this is the best solution to the problem.
no i agree i need my recording area problems solved, however a nice eq would be a nice feature regardless and for now i need it..
I've been looking at this behringer peq2200, it looks good I seen some reviews on the presonus i listed which weren't so good, but the peq2200 has less reviews but seem better.. it's always hard to tell off reviews, Its also kind of weird how few parametric eq's i can find that even look worth a shot, maybe a good mixer is a better shot? I would think since the eq is solely built to eq it would be better. but the pickings are slim I wish someone would drop a suggestion to a piece of gold I'm actually willing to pay alot. But not up to the api's range of 500 used, I can get the peq2200 for 50 bucks right now but if it's a piece of crap, no sense in even buying it.. none of you guys have cheaper equalizers that you love? am I in the wrong category for asking about equalizers?
One thing that I've had to learn here is that every mic has a different frequency range and sound. One also has to use the best mic for their application for their environment for their recordings. In my case I don't have a truly dedicated room to record in so I'm in the corner of my den. My walls in my area are treated but I'm not in a totally enclosed room. I have a deep baritone voice so I have to have a mic that will work for voice overs, narration, and doing hip hop as well. I have used the shure mic that you have and to me it doesn't for my area because it does pick up most of the other sounds (ambience) of the room. It's great if you want to capture every ounce of your room but to me unless it's a fully treated and closed in room it does nothing for me. If I want the room ambience from a singer or classical acousitc guitar cool. However, for me, dynamic mics like The Audix OM2 (which is what I have borrowed for now and I'm using two together to create a large diaphram effect but I'm working on getting a Shure SM7B) work for my area. That's because they don't pick up as much of the "room" as a condenser would and I can cut any bass frequencies in my vocals using plugins in Cubase. A large diaphram dynamic mic works best for me and my area. Also look at your proximity from the mic...the closer to the mic the more bass you get even with eq. The one thing about equing your vocal pre is that when you want to change the vocals further, it may actually do more damage (from a sound standpoint) than help. At the very least, when you record your vocals flat or have a mic that you like the sound of mostly but you just need to cut just a hair of bass frequencies, you can always eq after the recording because once you add the effect to the recording pre, you can't take it off. That's the drawback to equing pre. It's best to do it post. I've learned that from doing live sound as well as I use a DBX 231s 2 channel 31 band eq out to the mains. It's only used to add something to the sound going out to the mains...we don't use it for recording from the mixer although with live sound it's a whole different set of circumstances when it comes to recording a live set and you have a vocalist that's trying to "eat" the mic while cuffing it...
In a nutshell, for me I wouldn't add an eq...it wouldn't do nothing but take up space and cost me some money that I could have used elsewhere like getting a mic that works for the room I'm in. Everyone is different....but most people I've talked to don't eq vocasl pre...they do it in post as far as DAW is concerned. Unless it's live sound at a club or an arena then that's different....but it's usually to run on the mains going out to the speakers....not for the vocals. That's what the eq on the board is for along with some carefully added compression, limiting, and cutting of certain frequencies rather than adding to them. If I've got some money to burn and the right space to use, I'm going for treatment and better mics.
Again....just my opinion. As with everything do what works for you.
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something we haven't talked about is the mic. Sometimes a mic can be great but not great with your voice. Have you tried others? $300 would buy a better mic than eq.
If you can find a used one, the Toft AFC-2 is a beautiful sounding eq and you get to very good mic pres to boot. I bought 3 units new for 350 a piece a couple of years ago but they got discontinued
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Presumably the thread has put to bed the distinction that the pre-eq is not trying to fix room issues (or things that could'nt be done with mic choice/placement.
I have one of the SX201,for a contrast and even though it's above budget I would like to through in the Chameleon 7602.
In my mind there is a range of eq (or type?) that to me fits this purpose. I.e. enough options, but rather broader strokes; (Love the variable HP Filters here, a few shelves, a moderately wide bell.. fits well.
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