Har-Bal

[johnjm22]

Are any of you using this program? What do you think of it?

I don't plan on using it for mastering.

I'm mixing an album right now (metal) and the heavy guitar tone varies from song to song. Alot of the takes were recorded on different days, and even though I used the same mics, amps, guitars, pres ect. the tone still sounds slightly different. I'm hoping I can use Har-Bal to help match all the tones. And I also think it would be a great learning tool.

[MASSIVE Master]

I found it okay as an EQ... The whole "matching" thing is a little... uh...

Well, I didn't try to match guitars to similar sounding guitars. You may have better luck with it.

Other than that, keep in mind that it's a stand-alone - It isn't a plugin. You're going to have to be away from the mix.

[pingu]

Its my secret weapon

[moon_unit]

I'd think it would be pretty useless for what you're trying to do.

Wouldn't even bother.

[johnjm22]

Originally Posted by moon_unit

I'd think it would be pretty useless for what you're trying to do.

Wouldn't even bother.

Really? Have you ever used Har-Bal?

[norman_nomad]

Originally Posted by johnjm22

Are any of you using this program? What do you think of it?

I don't plan on using it for mastering.

I'm mixing an album right now (metal) and the heavy guitar tone varies from song to song. Alot of the takes were recorded on different days, and even though I used the same mics, amps, guitars, pres ect. the tone still sounds slightly different. I'm hoping I can use Har-Bal to help match all the tones. And I also think it would be a great learning tool.

I've used Har-Bal and other EQ's with a "match" feature and I don’t think it’s going to work the way you’re hoping it’ll work.

You can’t, for the most part, EQ in “tone”.

Of course, you can always give it a try if you’re curious…

On a side note, why would you want the guitars to sound identical on every song anyways? Wouldn’t this start to get a little boring?

[JP11]

Check out Elemental Audio Firium or Voxengo CurveEQ...I think they're better than Har-Bal...

I think it's very possible that these will help in what you're trying to do...

[johnjm22]

Originally Posted by norman_nomad

On a side note, why would you want the guitars to sound identical on every song anyways? Wouldn’t this start to get a little boring?

This is a metal album I'm talking about, and yeah I want the heavy tone to sound consistent from song to song. It would sound akward if every song had a different sounding heavy tone.

Now clean tones are another story...

[Youn]

Was the mic placement the same for each session, or did that change? Also, the settings on the amps/guitars... If things were meant to sound different maybe they should be. IMO I like slightly different guitar sounds on each track, especially on heavy metal stuff... Otherwise I'd try to get them consistent by ear using a good EQ, a better learning experience then something trying to be automatic. I've used Har-Bal a bit (demo) and can only imagine you'd be using your ears in the end anyway.

[JP11]

Yeah, ears are good....

but if your monitoring isn't that great...and as a learning tool....I think these matching EQs are pretty cool....if one guitar has way more energy at 300 than the other, or something like that...then these will show it...and also adjust for it...which you then can tweak using your ears....

don't see anything wrong with that....

[Toad]

Originally Posted by JP11

Check out Elemental Audio Firium or Voxengo CurveEQ...I think they're better than Har-Bal...

I think it's very possible that these will help in what you're trying to do...

Agreed! Firium is amazing!! thumbsup

[theblue1]

Har-Bal is interesting.

The matching thing is a bit of a gimmick and distraction. But the graphic interface is interesting.

One thing worth noting, even with the thing running 'flat' I thought I was able to hear a slight diff from when it was disengaged. If so, that's obviously not the ideal.


But you really need to think about whether a standalone program will suit your needs.

When I used to do 'standalone' mastering of my finished mix files, it might have been more useful to me (undecided quality issues notwithstanding)... but these days, when I'm done with the basic mixing I stick my favorite EQ and compressor (Sonic Timeworks, came with an old version of Sonar, 64 bit internal) on the buss and 'master' right in my DAW project file.

But I do know some pretty knowledgeable, experienced folks who swear by Har-Bal for diagnosing problem mixes and looking for EQ anomalies in the sub bass or ultra HF ranges. If I was bucks up, I might give some thought to keeping it for those audio-forensics applications.


ADDENDUM: There was a mix-up on my order through the 'online store' that Har-Bal uses, Reg.Net. After a bit of an extended mix-up, one of Har-Bal's developers actually telephoned me directly to make sure everthing was once again satisfactory. He said that, after I'd explained in an email what happened that -- by his request -- Reg.Net was immediately changing some of the ways they sell his softare that I'd had a problem with. I was deeply impressed with his level of sincerity and his engagement with the issues. We had a long conversation. He was very knowledgeable, very friendly, and very concerned with the happiness of his customers. A very solid guy!

[rscstudios1]

HAR-BAL LOVE IT.

[Pschelfh]

I think you could do that with Har-Bal.

Just find a good recording of the tone you want, save it as a reference file and overlay it on another guitar part. Then tweak it by hand to match the original reference guitar tone. The trick is not trying to match them exactly, you'll still have to use your ears. Har-Bal is more a visual aid.

You will get the best results if the guitar tones are already closely matched. You will get weird results if they don't.

Peter.