Using EQ while Tracking Vocals

rystro · 16th June 2007, 08:34 AM

Why do I feel that if I EQ while tracking vocals I'm going to loose something/gain something I do not want?

I guess it is probably naturally to feel that way - but I guess what matters is what it sounds like when its played back. If its good its good if not then change it.

I guess what I'm getting at is do most of you find yourself EQing a little bit when tracking vocals?

u b k · 16th June 2007, 09:19 AM

no, but i wouldn't hesitate to do so if that's what was required.

my thinking is that if you need to eq your vocals when tracking, you have the wrong mic and/or it's in the wrong position.

gregoire
del
ubk
.

ScumBum · 16th June 2007, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u b k;

my thinking is that if you need to eq your vocals when tracking, you have the wrong mic and/or it's in the wrong position.

.

That basically is also the rule for everything else you record too ......

superburtm · 16th June 2007, 09:54 AM

I don't mind doing a little eq'ing while tracking vocals..but usually it's subtractive. Pulling out what I don't like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rystro

Why do I feel that if I EQ while tracking vocals I'm going to loose something/gain something I do not want?

I guess it is probably naturally to feel that way - but I guess what matters is what it sounds like when its played back. If its good its good if not then change it.

I guess what I'm getting at is do most of you find yourself EQing a little bit when tracking vocals?

digibird · 16th June 2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u b k

no, but i wouldn't hesitate to do so if that's what was required.

my thinking is that if you need to eq your vocals when tracking, you have the wrong mic and/or it's in the wrong position.

gregoire
del
ubk
.

Exception for me: AEA R84>GR MP2NV> GR EQ2NV w/ HP filter & high shelf = perfect mic, beautiful EQ, stupidly happy me.

CKK · 16th June 2007, 11:42 AM

For many years I was a firm "no eq in" believer and I found myself spending too much time placing mics 'n stuff. Just to discover that when I've gotten rid of the "boom" or hiss or whatever, the signal lacked the tone that I wanted. So now I stop fiddling with the mics when I like the overall tone - and then back off the offending freqs with the eq.

Dont be affraid of the tools you have - they are your friends

Andreas G · 16th June 2007, 12:49 PM

It's all good, if it sounds better with EQ why not? I often prefer the sound of an U67 with a touch of EQ to other mics which wouldn't require EQ. Just a taste/preference thing.

Andreas

gurubuzz · 16th June 2007, 01:21 PM

If unsure split it and record EQ and No EQ....

RUSCO · 16th June 2007, 01:52 PM

I think a low cut is safe but boosting any tops or mids can get out of control if it's over 3db.
If you have a cold or fatigue it can make that initial judgement so far out.

Fruition2k · 16th June 2007, 02:51 PM

As long as you can trust your monitors without question....I eq but in small amounts
though Q8 modules on the way in. No plugs in my arsenal get me type of quality...
Thats why I've been putting all my attention to upgrading my front end, mixing later
ITB is far easier.

rystro · 16th June 2007, 03:54 PM

Yeah I have a Vintech X73i (Neve 1073 w/ channel strip) and when I track vocals with a 2247LE I find that I want to pull down the HI's just a tad.

rcm · 16th June 2007, 05:15 PM

I rarely EQ anything while tracking, but vox is the the thing I would be most hesitant to do. Dialing in a great mix, especially getting the vocals right is a game of minute changes in EQ, and its impossible to make those decisions out of context (at least for me). I am one of those "if it needs EQ, change the mic" kind of guys.

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16th June 2007, 08:34 AM	#1
rystro Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 317	Using EQ while Tracking Vocals Why do I feel that if I EQ while tracking vocals I'm going to loose something/gain something I do not want? I guess it is probably naturally to feel that way - but I guess what matters is what it sounds like when its played back. If its good its good if not then change it. I guess what I'm getting at is do most of you find yourself EQing a little bit when tracking vocals?

16th June 2007, 09:19 AM	#2
u b k Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: m a n h a t t a n Posts: 5,579	no, but i wouldn't hesitate to do so if that's what was required. my thinking is that if you need to eq your vocals when tracking, you have the wrong mic and/or it's in the wrong position. gregoire del ubk . __________________ . . m i x _ a r c h i t e c t . . __________________

16th June 2007, 02:51 PM	#10
Fruition2k Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft.Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 286	As long as you can trust your monitors without question....I eq but in small amounts though Q8 modules on the way in. No plugs in my arsenal get me type of quality... Thats why I've been putting all my attention to upgrading my front end, mixing later ITB is far easier. __________________ Dean Dydek www.myspace.com/deandydek

16th June 2007, 05:15 PM	#12
rcm Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,097	I rarely EQ anything while tracking, but vox is the the thing I would be most hesitant to do. Dialing in a great mix, especially getting the vocals right is a game of minute changes in EQ, and its impossible to make those decisions out of context (at least for me). I am one of those "if it needs EQ, change the mic" kind of guys. __________________ Ronan Chris Murphy: Producer-Mixer http://www.venetowest.com (Ulver, Terry Bozzio, Jamie Walters, Tony Levin, Steve Morse, Chucho Valdes, Steve Stevens, Nels Cline, King Crimson ......) + http://www.homerecordingbootcamp.com Six day boot camp March 2-7 in Los Angeles

16th June 2007, 11:42 AM	#6
CKK Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: DK Posts: 483	For many years I was a firm "no eq in" believer and I found myself spending too much time placing mics 'n stuff. Just to discover that when I've gotten rid of the "boom" or hiss or whatever, the signal lacked the tone that I wanted. So now I stop fiddling with the mics when I like the overall tone - and then back off the offending freqs with the eq. Dont be affraid of the tools you have - they are your friends

16th June 2007, 12:49 PM	#7
Andreas G Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 786	It's all good, if it sounds better with EQ why not? I often prefer the sound of an U67 with a touch of EQ to other mics which wouldn't require EQ. Just a taste/preference thing. Andreas

16th June 2007, 01:21 PM	#8
gurubuzz Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 621	If unsure split it and record EQ and No EQ....

16th June 2007, 01:52 PM	#9
RUSCO Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 180	I think a low cut is safe but boosting any tops or mids can get out of control if it's over 3db. If you have a cold or fatigue it can make that initial judgement so far out.

16th June 2007, 03:54 PM	#11
rystro Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 317	Yeah I have a Vintech X73i (Neve 1073 w/ channel strip) and when I track vocals with a 2247LE I find that I want to pull down the HI's just a tad.

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