equalizing help (reducing highs) Soundforge 6.0

[alienbobz]

Anyone know how to equlize the highs properlly on Soundforge 6.0? I am trying to fix a recording I did last week. The highs don't sound great when the music is loud. Let me know.

[pfife]

Anyone know how to equlize the highs properlly on Soundforge 6.0? I am trying to fix a recording I did last week. The highs don't sound great when the music is loud. Let me know.

are you asking how to EQ in general, or which frequencies might be best to try first?

[alienbobz]

Kinda both. I have played with the graphic equalizer before, but usually it just to add more presence to instruments (ie. bass, guitar, etc.) I have done it before when there was too much bass with success, but not when there is too much highs.

[pfife]

Kinda both. I have played with the graphic equalizer before, but usually it just to add more presence to instruments (ie. bass, guitar, etc.) I have done it before when there was too much bass with success, but not when there is too much highs.

What I would do is just go in and use the graphic eq, and start lowering things on the right (I think!)  below the 0 point.   This kind of stuff gets into some weird territory, b/c what could sound OK on your computer speakers might sound like total ass on other playback systems.  I think you might be doing a lot of guessing/checking.

There are also some presets that might do OK for you in the dropdown menus...

sorry, I know that doesn't help much....  I think Heath knows quite a bit about this.  I've read some helpful hints from him about EQ'ing in the past (but that was mainly lowend).

[dmonterisi]

is there some kind of spectrum meter or frequency analyzer in SF?  there's gotta be.  open that up and see if you can see what range of frequencies is annoying you, then reduce those frequencies using the EQ.

[heath]

provided you have decent monitoring capabilities at your workstation, you can do this old trick. 

1. turn the gain way down on the eq (-12 db or something like that)

2. turn the q down (making your freq selection very fine)

3. sweep the frequency knob until you find the frequency that you want gone.

this is a dramatic way to find the frequency that you like/dislike quickly.  once you find it, use a gentler gain reduction setting 2-3 db maybe and increase the q.

[pfife]

provided you have decent monitoring capabilities at your workstation, you can do this old trick. 

1. turn the gain way down on the eq (-12 db or something like that)

2. turn the q down (making your freq selection very fine)

3. sweep the frequency knob until you find the frequency that you want gone.

this is a dramatic way to find the frequency that you like/dislike quickly.  once you find it, use a gentler gain reduction setting 2-3 db maybe and increase the q.

Pretty dang nifty...
+

[alienbobz]

I am confused on how to do that properly. I know how to part 1, but the other 2 don't make any sense to me.

[heath]

are you using a parametric eq or a graphic?

[alienbobz]

graphic. should i try parametric?

[heath]

yes.  using a graphic, it doesn't surprise me why you had no idea what i was talking about...those knobs don't exist.

in my eyes, the only place for a graphic eq is next to a FOH console or a monitor console. 

[alienbobz]

Ok so I am in Parametric now. I have done the first step, but I don't see that part that says q. Is that the amount? Also, is sweeping the frequency the center frequency part?

[momule]

I would suggest trying the paragraphic EQ. Much easier to use for beginners IMO

Here's an example of what it should look like. Notice I moved a couple of the tabs for ya to illustrate what they will look like , you can also move the octave tab to widen the eq
Its gonna be some trial and error. just remember you can always UNDO.

Nick

[dmonterisi]

in SF, can you listen to the EQ'd output on the fly?  wavelab is great on account of the "bypass" button so you can toggle back and forth between the original and how it will sound after rendering the whole file.

[momule]

yes.
notice in the pic above there is a preview button ,  you can simply hit the preview button and it will play it real time for ya. and notice there is a bypass box you can check aswell.