api 5500 hip hop settings

[RTQ]

sorry i asked
Thanks.

[Darwin James]

Welcome to the forum. But I've got to say, how can someone possibly suggest settings for an EQ? *without hearing the mix, in your room, etc. etc........ too many variables.

[hummer]

How much salt should I put in my soup?

[orangeoctane]

Originally Posted by hummer

How much salt should I put in my soup?

Always 4 dashes of salt. Always.

[Cellotron]

You absolutely must give up the idea that there can be any kind of "preset" - especially for eq - when mastering. Listen to the mix and give it what it needs. Too boomy? Cut some lows or low mids. Thin? Instead boost the same. Dull? Boost some high mids or highs. Brittle and piercing? Cut the same. etc. etc.

With the API be aware that a 1/2 dB in either direction can effect a pretty strong change when processing on the 2-bus - so I find it very rare that I ever make any change with it more than 1/2dB per band (although I certainly do when the mix calls for it).

Having said that I can state what the API excels at and doesn't to my ear relative to other eq's I have. First I usually go to other eq's for high end boosts as the 5500's highs can be on the brittle-ish side sometimes - although a 1/2dB high shelf boost with it can sound surprisingly good sometimes. Mid boosts in the 1k - 2.5kHz zone can really help bring out some presence and snap in tracks so I find I often use it for this. The lows do have a nice solidity to them relative to some of my other eq's so I do find I use it for boosts in the 50Hz - 75Hz sometimes when trying to pull out some thump in kicks. The low mids tend also to be good for both boosts and cuts as they don't get as "honky" or "boxy" as other eq's I've heard so I sometimes use the API when changes in the 200Hz to 700Hz zone are needed as well.

Overall I find the 5500 is a really nice addition in the rack and I use it often - but still wouldn't want it to be my primary mastering eq as it does have its limitations.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[MASSIVE Master]

Originally Posted by orangeoctane

Always 4 dashes of salt. Always.

Dammit. I've been doing it wrong all this time?!?

[Darwin James]

Originally Posted by RTQ

sorry i asked
Thanks.

Please hang around and ask more questions, that's how we learn. And don't be sorry you did. Stay a while.

[It'sJoeAgain]

my hip hop *settings* are the envy of the world.....

[musicmatt]

Originally Posted by Darwin James

Please hang around and ask more questions, that's how we learn. And don't be sorry you did. Stay a while.

what a nice guy!

I would have flamed you and thrown you to the dogs. lol

[streetbeats]

Originally Posted by musicmatt

what a nice guy!

agreed. admirable response

[Synthnerd]

Originally Posted by Cellotron

but still wouldn't want it to be my primary mastering eq as it does have its limitations.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

slightly OT but
what do you think of using plugins for primary EQ (surgical) and API 5500 as one's only analog eq for broad cuts/boosts? do you think that be a good way to go/allocation of $/bang for the $? or would one be better off with one's primary eq being analog such as sontec 250EX as you have recommended in the past or perhaps millenia nseq?

[MASSIVE Master]

There are a small bunch of digital EQ's that I love, but they all seem to be somewhat limited in scope. One in particular is absolutely amazing at making "ex-girlfriend" frequency (2-4kHz) cuts in the mono signal - But crap for low end and don't even think about adding high end. Another is wonderful for (you guessed it) adding high end but crap for making mid cuts. The native Samplitude EQ is subtle and wonderful for shaping, but fairly useless for surgical work. UAD's Cambridge is great for surgical cuts, but worthless for shaping.

That all said - I attempt to make surgical adjustments digitally when I can and use the analog units for overall shaping.

[cazdell]

turn everything all of the way up. it makes it louder!!!