The purpose of functional automation is to refine audio that has been completed. Two examples of its use are to improve the overall equalization of a sample and to compress music with adjustments to threshold or volume. It must be noted that, for functional automation to be used successfully, the automated process should not be easily detected by listeners.
How To Make Vocals Cut Through the Mix Using EQ and Compression
Problems with getting vocals to sound well incorporated into the audio can be due to issues with the low frequency range. This can lead to the vocals sounding ‘glued on’ rather than harmonious with the rest of the music. By cutting the lowest frequencies and using parametric EQ, you can improve the sample. Compression can also be useful to help vocals sound more consistent. That includes bringing down parts that are too loud and highlighting sounds that are otherwise too quiet. Finally, boosting with a few kHz can help bring an edge to vocals.
Key Takeaways:
- Start by cutting the very lows with a filter up to 100 Hz. Then use a parametric EQ to cut the low-mids somewhere from 150 – 250 Hz until it seems to sit better.
- Certain phrases of the vocal tend to get buried in the arrangement. Especially if the vocalist is very dynamic and sings both loud and soft parts.
- If that’s the case then it’s time to pull out the compressor to tame those dynamics. Compression isn’t just for keeping the loud parts at bay, it’s also great for pushing up the quieter parts.
“Start by cutting the very lows with a filter up to 100 Hz. Then use a parametric EQ to cut the low-mids somewhere from 150 – 250 Hz until it seems to sit better.”
Recording a flute
The playing position and delicacy of the instrument unquestionably welcome the performer to move, which will just cause you harm when attempting to record a flute since the distinctive hole between the instrument and the flute will bring about timbre varieties. Truth be told, the sound is created from the embouchure gap as well as from every single other opening along the body of the flute. An answer is an attempt to put the mic directly before the artist. However, I have never preferred the outcomes I get with this setting on a woodwind.
Key Takeaways:
- A wind instrument from the woodwind family, the flute is particularly difficult to record, specially so in a home studio, due to several reasons.
- The first one has to do with the musician and the flute itself.
- Asking the musician to remain static is not a solution, however, because that will impact the quality of his performance.
“A wind instrument from the woodwind family, the flute is particularly difficult to record, specially so in a home studio, due to several reasons.”
http://en.audiofanzine.com/recording-mixing/editorial/articles/recording-a-flute.html
What’s Your Biggest Problem With EQ?
EQ is one of the most powerful tools available to those who mix, but like anything, it may have its few downfalls. Bjorgvin Benediktsson created EQ Strategies – The Ultimate Guide to EQ.
But he still wants to receive feedback from users to create an even stronger guide with more training to fix any issues you may have with EQ. Check out his guide and if it doesn’t answer your questions about EQ and frequency stuff, leave him a comment at the below Audio Issues link (bottom of the page).
For some of my own basics on EQ and frequency, check out my own post What is Equalization, Usually Called EQ?
Key Takeaways:
- You shouldn’t need to spend a lot of time to learn a lot.
- EQ is one of the most important things to learn about as an engineer
- Bjorgvin wants to help you solve your EQ problems in the most practical and easy way possible
“I’m not a big fan of long-winded theory and materials that take forever to get to the point.”
Studio Interviews: The Attic Production
What better way to get an inside insight look at the world of production anywhere else other than the production floor? From the floor of the Attic production, a small yet well-built production studio, is where this inside interview is coming from. To find out more about this interview, you want to read in this article about everything from favorite gear to advice for aspiring producers.