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Topic: Constant Q equalizer

is a constant Q equalizer useful for mastering/finishing/polishing kinda things or on busses maybe? does anybody use it for other purposes and wich models are good and wich are not? i guess they are mainly used for correting a soundsystem, no?

Re: Constant Q equalizer

constant Q on a grapihc eq doesn't seem that impressive to me.. i'd rather have a decent parametric

linear phase eq is supposed to be some hot shit for mastering

Re: Constant Q equalizer

Constant Q can be used for creative sound sculpting also. I love my 31-band Furman EQ. Parametric is good too. I use both. I tend to use the 31 band for quick fixes on somthing being recorded. Like for example On a bassline I might lower the 100Hz band to make room for the Drum Kick. I know a parametric can do that also but it is ready to go with the 31 band.

Planet of Cevo

Re: Constant Q equalizer

DamDuram wrote:

is a constant Q equalizer useful for mastering/finishing/polishing kinda things or on busses maybe? does anybody use it for other purposes and wich models are good and wich are not? i guess they are mainly used for correting a soundsystem, no?

Usually these multiband eq's (with or without constant Q) introduce to much extra noise to be really considered mastering grade. This is purely a design 'flaw', your signal has to go through so many components in a 31 band eq it's not even funny. Not a problem in PA systems ofcourse where a little extra noise isn't that big a deal. But for mastering a definate no no...
On the other hand some might actually be good for the creative reasons, little bit of added distortion/harmonics is usually a good thing. Helps if the manufacturer chose 'musical bands' of course... Can't help you with good/bad models. Always thought parametric was the way to go personally.


Linear phase to my ears is best for cutting freq's in mastering, boosting with LP introduces too much ringing/pre-echo esp. if the boost you need is a tight Q with high gain. Some LP eq's do sound nice with a wide Q and small boost though, almost analog ;-)

Gast..!

5 (edited by DamDuram 2010-01-30 00:18:44)

Re: Constant Q equalizer

many thanks for your advice, guys.

i had this idea, because i thought a constant q would be more precise maybe. i use the eq of my desk for soundmodeling and i dont have any eq for the mainbus. i feel the need to cut frequencies below 35hz especially with the mfb522 kick and other deep bass, its way to thick most of the time- everything sounds wobbling and muddy,steals the highs and overall loudness. that is my experience.
to be honest, im really bad in mixing and/or i dont have  enough patience for it, although i hear it, theres something wrong but dont know what to do. when i tweak things for hours i cant decide anything and i usually give up and leave things as they are. sometimes i can fix thing after recording but i want to get the mix right before the recording, so it wont feel like processing a film - like, lets see what i get this time.
in the past i didnt had any trouble to get a punchy 909kick out of my drumstation but a 808 kinda thing is a problem for me. maybe i should visit a pro masteringstudio and use it as a lesson instead of buying another piece of gear.
another question: a linear phase eq is DAW only, no? i have these wave plugs and for the cutting out the bass, it works fine, but always after the recording and this takes away some loudness and i have to compress it.

ok. for mastering purposes, i

6 (edited by Forax 2010-01-30 02:02:26)

Re: Constant Q equalizer

do you record your final mix into a computer?  why not use a plugin eq?

7 (edited by DamDuram 2010-01-30 12:11:05)

Re: Constant Q equalizer

yeah, i do. i use the waves q10 eq from the platinum bundle (or diamond it is). but like i said, i

Re: Constant Q equalizer

Nti Eq3

Broken Pots Hunter

Re: Constant Q equalizer

If you feel the need to eq the masterbuss during mixing i think it'll be wiser to try and 'fit in the mix' and try to get as good as a mix as possible, without driving yourself nuts ofcourse ;-).  If you feel your mixes are to muddy/wobbly you might want to try using more compression during the mix stage to tame that. I always first try a compressor before even eq'ing the bd or bassline. Try experimenting with sidechaining the bd and bassline also to get a tighter lowend.

Forax is right, it's not a crime to eq and compress the final mix in a daw, just don't slam it with a limiter/finalizer. I think this actually works better especially if you don't have some really nice compressors/eq's to use on the buss. Some plugins basicly sound better than the budget gear most of us can afford (i'm thinking waves, PSP, sonalksis, flux etc.)
Re: cutting the bass, i think your to high up with 35hz, just use a 6/12 db hi-pass filter at 20/25hz to clean it up a little and you'll be fine. Add a touch of compression, couple of db's, to get the level up and maybe boost lowend somewhere between 60/180hz with a tight'ish Q to give your bd/bass a little more punch if you feel you lost lowend with the hi-pass.

No, there are stand alone linear phase eq's, still completely digital of course. But you'll need to take out a mortgage to get a good one (weiss).

DBX 242 or Aphex 109 might be a good starting point for your search and won't break the bank.
But if you don't have any compression to use during mixing yet, i'd first go that route.

Gast..!

Re: Constant Q equalizer

minimalrome wrote:

Nti Eq3

Yeah, or massenburg GML 9500 ;-)

Gast..!

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Re: Constant Q equalizer

so, i have a dbx166xl now for the masterbus. hope i

Re: Constant Q equalizer

Here's a link to free EQ's, VST's. FREEWARE not pirata.
http://www.gersic.com/plugins/index.php?daCat=8

Here's a link to a google search from 'magic eq' frequencies
http://www.digitalprosound.com/2002/03_ … cerpt1.htm

Planet of Cevo

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Re: Constant Q equalizer

thanks for the links, blue maquina

the free plugs look useful. i will try some of those constant q and make a compare , tonight. lots of free stuff and maybe just what i need.

good read also, i