Equalising, part 2
Now what? Exercises
Similar balance the volumes in the last lesson, now you can manage one dimension more. Now download and open a this new version of the ableton set we worked on last week. Set the volumes & pan again to your preference.
Preparation
Go to Track 1, right click on the top of the EQ Eight and select “Save as Default Preset”.
I would recommend different default settings than the Factory Settings.
now add an EQ Eight to Track 7. (Browser -> Audio Effects)
Exercise 1: making space for the bass.
Start on track 7, ElecGtr:
- activate the low pass filter and
- sweep it up, until you hear an effect.
- Sweep up even more until the sound loses too much
- go back a little
- compare the result by closing your eyes and switching the EQ off / and on
- proceed and do the same to track 6,5,4
Exercise 2: Boosting and cutting frequencies
If you listen to track 6 & 7, they sound quite harsh. Let’s see if we can fix that.
Exercise 3: Bass vs. Kick Drum
Let’s see what we can do there. The main idea is to cut one frequency in one element and boost the same frequency in another element. Especially with bass frequencies it might also work to use double frequency values (50 Hz vs. 100 Hz)
When you make adjustments, listen to the WHOLE track, not in solo! Equing in solo can be interesting and revealing, you final track will not play any track in solo. So make your adjustments and decicions always in the right context!!
Training & further resources
To get a sense how different frequencies “sound”, here is a great website to train your ears: EQ Online Training
Cheat Sheets
This is a good read and has some helpful tips which frequency ranges are typically for various instruments: SOUND Class EQ Basics
Also a good site with general help on frequency for instruments iZotope EQ Cheat Sheet