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I've been using EQ as a creative effect for a while now and I think it makes my tracks a hell of a lot better, I've gotten into the habbit of layer EQs too (usually a parametric and a graphic EQ), I know It eats up more cpu and might be seen as unecessary but it really works for me

anyone else using corrective fx creatively? give us some examples too

I always use a Channel EQ on the bassy elements of my track because the distortion I get from the C-EQ adds a nice amount of warmth and pleasant phasing to the sound. It works well on kick drums and deep bass.
If I'm EQ'ing stuff in the high end then I'll use a linear-phase EQ which has no such distorting and keeps everything sounding punchy and together.

Kind of a mix between technical and creative there imo.

Oh, and automating EQ's is good too; like gradually bringing up a low-self reduction on a synth before a drop into the next 16 bars.

Bullshit wrote:I always use a Channel EQ on the bassy elements of my track because the distortion I get from the C-EQ adds a nice amount of warmth and pleasant phasing to the sound. It works well on kick drums and deep bass.
If I'm EQ'ing stuff in the high end then I'll use a linear-phase EQ which has no such distorting and keeps everything sounding punchy and together.

Kind of a mix between technical and creative there imo.

Oh, and automating EQ's is good too; like gradually bringing up a low-self reduction on a synth before a drop into the next 16 bars.

Yeah i use lp / hp / bp filters more creatively, but EQ for Corrective purposes.
I have to use my linear phase EQ more often.

what does a linear phase EQ actually do? apparently it sounds more 'transparent' but are there any major advantages over normal EQs?

back2onett wrote:what does a linear phase EQ actually do? apparently it sounds more 'transparent' but are there any major advantages over normal EQs?

It prevents phase distortion basically by some kind of magical process that I'm oblivious of, which ends up giving you a much sharper, more transparent signal at the end of it. The only down side to using a linear phase EQ is the increased CPU load (if you're using software), and pre echo if you're using it on low quality audio (e.g. 128kps mp3).

Depone wrote: Yeah i use lp / hp / bp filters more creatively, but EQ for Corrective purposes.
I have to use my linear phase EQ more often.

O/T here, but are you gonna make any more youtube production videos Depone, I found your first couple really informative. ?

Bullshit wrote: It prevents phase distortion basically by some kind of magical process that I'm oblivious of, which ends up giving you a much sharper, more transparent signal at the end of it. The only down side to using a linear phase EQ is the increased CPU load (if you're using software), and pre echo if you're using it on low quality audio (e.g. 128kps mp3).

Sorry chief, that's cobblers I'm afraid

It does prevent phase distortion as you say, but if there's one thing linear phase doesn't do, it's give you a sharper signal. This is due to the pre echo you say about - but it happens on all signals, at all sample rates etc etc. It's the way it works, no getting round it - in most plugs anyway. Some people are too clever for me, but then I can't afford their stuff LinPh EQ is not a magic bullet. Not changing the image depth while changing the tone is the benefit. Softening transients by giving everything in the effected region a tiny pre-fade is the cost. Choose wisely, wax on wax off, etc.

Besides which, phase distortion IS NOT BAD. Often it's exactly what you need... which sometimes is why you reached for an eq in the first place, whether you knew it or not

macc wrote:

Bullshit wrote: It prevents phase distortion basically by some kind of magical process that I'm oblivious of, which ends up giving you a much sharper, more transparent signal at the end of it. The only down side to using a linear phase EQ is the increased CPU load (if you're using software), and pre echo if you're using it on low quality audio (e.g. 128kps mp3).

Sorry chief, that's cobblers I'm afraid

It does prevent phase distortion as you say, but if there's one thing linear phase doesn't do, it's give you a sharper signal. This is due to the pre echo you say about - but it happens on all signals, at all sample rates etc etc. It's the way it works, no getting round it - in most plugs anyway. Some people are too clever for me, but then I can't afford their stuff LinPh EQ is not a magic bullet. Not changing the image depth while changing the tone is the benefit. Softening transients by giving everything in the effected region a tiny pre-fade is the cost. Choose wisely, wax on wax off, etc.

Besides which, phase distortion IS NOT BAD. Often it's exactly what you need... which sometimes is why you reached for an eq in the first place, whether you knew it or not

Macc Smacks it again!
I now have a question. What are these modes i find on my EQ : Hard, Soft, and Asym (hard soft and medium)
I have no idea what these do, and why i need them.

What eq is that? Could mean anything...

macc wrote:What eq is that? Could mean anything...

I found it on both my stock logic channel eq and this one - http://www.apulsoft.ch/apqualizr/
Just noticed it says "clip type" Does this mean its saturating the signal when boosting frequencies above a given db?

Sounds very much like a waveshaper/saturator on the output to me.

Run something really hot in and out of it so you're clipping the output stage, and adjust the gain back down afterwards. Fiddle with the settings and have a listen

macc wrote:Sounds very much like a waveshaper/saturator on the output to me.

Run something really hot in and out of it so you're clipping the output stage, and adjust the gain back down afterwards. Fiddle with the settings and have a listen

Yeah as i suspected, if the signal is really hot after you apply a LOT of additive EQ, it saturates it. Kind of nice tho. adds some girth to some sounds. but horrible to others.

A case of trust in ears.