how do u sweep with parametric eq?

[tonyscarbones]

i'm a newbie

i realize the general idea is to find good and bad frequencies but what's the best way to do it

say i'm using a 7 band eq, it's not like i can just go from the low to the high because there's 7 different points that control specific regions of frequencies

[JuelzB]

If you have 7 bands then work in their appropriate range. You don´t have to sweep thru it from 20 Hz to 20KhZ in one rush. Take your time and listen. You might even find two different resonating frequencys that you don´t like.

In general start with a very narrow Q, boost to the max and start sweeping..... When you´ve found a place that you think has to be cut down, then turn it down and check if a wider Q setting is sounding better or not....

Hope this helps... and try the search function the next time, i´m sure this has already been discussed here.

[verb1]

Certain instruments also have general sound ranges that sound good and bad. For example, a piano might have muddiness in the 200-1K range. If it sounds dull, the 1K-8K range might need to be tweaked. Learning what instruments' sweet spots are helps, although ultimately you still have to sweep around and listen for what sounds good.

[feedback711]

Originally Posted by J Twin

Certain instruments also have general sound ranges that sound good and bad. For example, a piano might have muddiness in the 200-1K range. If it sounds dull, the 1K-8K range might need to be tweaked. Learning what instruments' sweet spots are helps, although ultimately you still have to sweep around and listen for what sounds good.

learning what he mentioned above. it is important to learn where certain sounds sit in the spectrum and it is also important to know where they dont sit. once you learn that you have to practice so much that you think about it in your sleep and soon it becomes natur to your mind. then you have to listen. if you cvant tell if it sounds good or not you need to train your ears .. you want to be confident in a eq decision becasue that decision will determine if that part sounds good or not. do not watch some one else eq and try to set your settings the same way they did. every project is different and there is no easy way to do it. i have spent the last 6 months trying to eq like my producer and i got some good mixes but i wasnt understading what i was doing.... then one day i sat down with a vocal and started from lows to high doing one at a time and listening. still incorporating what i had learned but i was listening to the area i was focused on. when i was done i left it for 20 minutes...listened to some salsa. pulled it back up made a couple of adjustments and blam.... i started to understand eq....after4 years. i just now started to understand that i have to go through that process on every project. but the good thing is is that when i do it more i will get faster and better at it so the hard part is over....hope this helped

[Tibbon]

What 7 band parametric do you have? I haven't ever seen one with that many and that sounds interesting.

[verb1]

Ok, despite ou advice, which was good, I don't think you got the answer you were necessarily looking for. So...

Set the Q to a very narrow range. Boost the gain way up, all the way. Then take each band and sweep it up and down and pay attention to what comes out in the sound, good and bad. You'll then know what areas will enahnce the sound, and which ones need to be cut. You'll have to do this with every band.

[feedback711]

Originally Posted by J Twin

Ok, despite ou advice, which was good, I don't think you got the answer you were necessarily looking for. So...

Set the Q to a very narrow range. Boost the gain way up, all the way. Then take each band and sweep it up and down and pay attention to what comes out in the sound, good and bad. You'll then know what areas will enahnce the sound, and which ones need to be cut. You'll have to do this with every band.

or use a multiban compressor which allows you to solo each ban one by one to hear it

[Doc Mixwell]

"sweeping" = using a variable pot for Frequency range control

The way I do it, I like to boost about 10 db with a narrow Q,
and "sweep" the frequency knob until I hear something that bothers me.

Then I subtract the frequency with the gain control.

only do what is needed for the sound, there is no need to use all bands if you don't have to