Topic: Do you ever EQ your recordings in post?

[baustin]

Do any of you ever edit your recordings with an equalizer to give lows, mids or highs a boost after the fact? Do you edit via analog or digital equipment? Do you ever seed these recordings?

Personally, I don't really have the time to spend on all of my recordings, but I tend to like a bit of a treble boost, whether it be AUD or SBD. Maybe I need a brighter preamp.

-ba

[baustin]

PS - Currently listening to a fresh transfer of moe. 09-11-1997 DSBD that seems not to have been seeded anywhere. Obviously I'm gonna seed the master, but I think it gains alot from a slight boost to the highs. Don't know. It just got me thinking.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I do whatever makes my recording sound best to me. Frequently I'll add a little to the high end. Just the way I like it, I guess.

[RebelRebel]

Yep, I always have. a good idea though, is to listen to it on a couple of different playback devices (if you are going to spread it) for translation purposes..and document whatever you do.

it might be your listening space too, Baustin..getting a room treated or positioned differently can make a drastic difference.

[anhisr]

When I use the KM 150's I have to add a little low end to the mix.  The cut off the low end a little early for me.

[BobW]

If I record LSD2 & FR-2 T-mod, I always cut bass somewhere when recording rock, especially in a large venue.
If not at the mic, at the deck or in post.

Basscut in post is a tricky thing.
What sounds good on one system can sound like ass on another.
I have gotten a feel for my current monitors and the visuals, so I have a starting point.
I then make CDs and listen in two cars (one high-end, one low) and on the mothership, my home system.
If I like it overall, I call it done.

Now other processing... I have LPF or high-cut when I had mics positioned at horns and the highs were tiring.
I have de-essed small stealth mics when they picked up audience chatter that had loud, high essing  (swwsss sounds).
This was from a pair of chatty young ladies that were too good to look at to chase away from the  mics.     

100% of the time done DSP, with software processing in Wavelab, SF, or, usually, Adobe Audition.

The "secret" is to take time to do it, listen to what you have changed allot and on different systems, and even get a 2nd opinion, if you are unsure.
Also worth noting is that if you plan to do audio editing, take good care of your ears.
See:
HEARING NEWS

[CQBert]

When I archive I always keep a RAW file and when I burn for myself I will sometimes EQ a little based on the room.  Sometimes a show is just a little heavy or shy in one area > fix that little bit and BOOM ! instant relief.

CQBert

[Teen Age Riot]

Until about two years ago, I always added EQ. Then I upgraded my playback system, and suddenly many older recordings that I had messed with sounded terrible. That's why I stopped doing it.
I would say, if you edit your recording just for your own listening pleasure (and playback devices), then do whatever sounds good to you. But if you intend to circulate it, do as little as possible, if anything at all. Once it's out there, people will do all kinds of crazy s**t with it anyway...

[gtalife]

Yes, as the raw recording sounds different depending on venue, where i tape from and how the band sounds via the the PA system. Typically I usually add low end to my recording with the set up i use. SBD recordings is another situation i have  to EQ depending on how the mix is from the board.

i usually prcoecess the recording, listen to it for a couple of days via car stereo, home stereo and work stereo.
 if adjustments need to be made then i do it. But usually if the recording rocks and sounds great via my vintage
home HI FI with my ESS speakers it's a good one!

[Brian Skalinder]

FWIW, couple similar discussions:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=60093.0
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=53916.0

[firmdragon]

I used to, but now I don't find it worth the effort.

[jkbyram]

no, never. i found they sounded better on a variety of systems better if left alone.

[bluntforcetrauma]

I really dont EQ but I do use L3 ultramaximizer or BBE maximizer plug ins while using PEAK  to normalize and increase gain to give a bigger boulder sound

[612]

I'm kind of a purist. I used to normalize everything but stopped. I usually try to run my levels pretty conservative out of the UA-5 just to play it safe but I have tried to push em a bit further lately now that I'm comfortable with the UA-5 and h120 meters.

At the most I just boost the levels a bit giving the recording a little gain but lately there have been a few recordings that I'm happy with as is and have not done any post-production to....I'm sure improvements could be made, I just haven't taken the time to teach myself the needed skills.

[batchain]

I'm kind of a purist. I used to normalize everything but stopped. I usually try to run my levels pretty conservative out of the UA-5 just to play it safe but I have tried to push em a bit further lately now that I'm comfortable with the UA-5 and h120 meters.

 Say you have your levels set around mid point on both the UA-5 and h120. When you need to bump up the gain a bit is it best to increase it on the UA-5 or on the recorder? Or is there no difference - gain is gain?

[Brian Skalinder]

Say you have your levels set around mid point on both the UA-5 and h120. When you need to bump up the gain a bit is it best to increase it on the UA-5 or on the recorder? Or is there no difference - gain is gain?

Gain is not gain.  Some devices provide cleaner gain than others.  But that's a moot issue in this scenario.  Well, assuming one feeds the H120 a digital signal from the UA5, anyway.  In that case, all gain control comes from the UA5 and the gain settings on the H120 (or any other recorder receiving the digital signal from the UA5) do not matter.

If one's feeding an analog signal from the UA5 to the H120 (not sure why one would do so), then one could use the gain control on both the UA5 and H120.  I would guess the UA5 provides cleaner gain than the H120, but I do not know since I have not tested both units.

[wbrisette]

Until about two years ago, I always added EQ. Then I upgraded my playback system, and suddenly many older recordings that I had messed with sounded terrible. That's why I stopped doing it.

Bingo! If you have a cheesy setup, then let 'em alone. I have the option to mess around with mine,  and I do, but I do multi-channel recording and I master using:

MOTU 2408mk3 > QSC RMX2450 > Earthworks Sigma 6.2 monitors

If you don't have the right setup, what you think you're changing you're probably not. You're compensating for room and equipment instead of for the recording. Then when it gets played elsewhere it sounds very different. I have not found this to be the case with stuff I've worked on using the setup listed above.

Wayne

[Kindguy]

never i always end up screwing with it to much.

[John Kary]

I always EQ/master my recordings.  If you've heard any before/after's I've done you'll know why.  I use mostly Waves and PSP plug-ins and a few specialty ones as well depending on a variety of factors.

[Mingle]

I don't do anything to any of my recordings, whether they sound good to me or not.  I figure I'll give people the raw data, and they can tweak it via EQ or whatever in their own listening environment.  I'll often EQ stuff a little (usually adding a touch to the high end) when I listen at home.

-Nic

[Brian Skalinder]

I always EQ/master my recordings.  If you've heard any before/after's I've done you'll know why.  I use mostly Waves and PSP plug-ins and a few specialty ones as well depending on a variety of factors.

I'd like to hear some before / after clips if you're willing to share.  I've done very little mastering in post, but am curious how big an impact it can have.  One of these days I'll find the time to start learning more about post production, but...unfortunatley, today is not the day.

[RebelRebel]

I always EQ/master my recordings.  If you've heard any before/after's I've done you'll know why.  I use mostly Waves and PSP plug-ins and a few specialty ones as well depending on a variety of factors.

I'd like to hear some before / after clips if you're willing to share.  I've done very little mastering in post, but am curious how big an impact it can have.  One of these days I'll find the time to start learning more about post production, but...unfortunatley, today is not the day.

Brian..this is really helpful

www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com

as is the course "Golden Ears" by timothy moulton...has helped me immensely.

[spyder9]

I always do for indoor recordings.  I EQ-out the room's mud only.  Nothing else.  Give careful attention to the highs, so that they don't bleed through when de-mudding.  Always keep the master on file and share the edited version.

[Bart.VL71]

I always EQ. I remove the muddiness (150 Hz - 1 kHz), boost the very high end and boost the very low end a little. My tapes sound much better afterwards.