Good EQ NEEDED

[Roy Stanton]

Hey all; Im eq-ing vocals and I dont really like the ones I have with 002 rack factory MPTool kit LE 7.4. Win. Im use to 31 band live EQ's. Any suggestions ? I'm useing a Rode NT1a straight into the 002 in a sound booth I made. My vocal in the upper range is strong and midi. Ive tried everything I can think of, and cant seem to EQ it out. What may I be missing? I hope this is the right place for this post. Thanks.....

[albee1952]

My 2 cents here, but if you can't EQ the vocal with the Digirack 7 band, then you need a different microphone. I rarely use more than 2-3 bands on vocals(and one of those is a hi-pass). I also use a Pultec after the compressor. From your description, I would maybe try a Shure SM-7B or a tube mic like the Mojave MA200(or MXL V69 on a budget). You know you can insert more than one EQ on the track? That hardware 31 band EQ is probably adding all kinds of phase shift(just the nature of the beast). SOmetimes NO eq is better than a bad one

[Roy Stanton]

Thanks Mr albee1952. I think I need a different mic. There's a mid range ring I think from the mic that I cant get out,without messing up the rest. Ive tried several EQ's together and couldnt get it. Probably high end equiptment is needed ( which the ears I have no dought) yet not the cash to match the ears. The 31 band EQ I only use for live stuff, and would rather have a EQ like that in my software. I was hopeing for some kind of tool someone knew that did this. Thanks for the Help. newbie always

[daeron80]

Originally Posted by Roy Stanton

a sound booth I made.

Sorry to have to say it, but I would place money on that being the problem unless you're a serious acoustics wizard. A nice sounding room is a big part of a pleasant vocal tone. There's no EQ in the world that will solve the problem of a small booth, because the modal resonances will inevitably be unevenly spaced in the low end and will be significant well up into the mid range.

There are ways of minimizing those problems in some cases. It's a very tricky science. Treating the corners very heavily (all eight of them, above and below) can help.

This video may help explain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHkAFSZmMk4

[Changrila1]

Yes... I would re-track those vocals if possible. Experiment with mic placement, room positions, and room treatments. A walk-in closet with egg crate or carpet on the walls usually sounds like crap. Always get the best tones you can in tracking! It will make mixing much easier.

[albee1952]

Not sure if this will help, but a ringing could be mechanical(just had this experience with another mic). Try another pass but stretch a few tight rubber bands around the grill to see if it makes a difference. +1 on the acoustics contributing to the good or bad sound. My booth has lots of absorption all around and acoustic tiles overhead.

[musicalavtech]

Originally Posted by Roy Stanton

My vocal in the upper range is strong and midi.

Midi vocals are the problem You might try presets of EQ plugins. A 31 band EQ is so much overkill for vocals unless you have a vocal range from 20-20khz.

[Roy Stanton]

You all are awesome so I'll share this with you. I laughted for 10 min. after wanting to kick my own butt. I had a solid metal music stand right next to the mic and when I went up with the vocal in range the stand sang too with this horrible midrange freq. This drove me nuts for two days untill IT HIT ME. The rode nt1a isnt a bad mic but you do have to watch the high's which can now be fixed easy. I did three new tracks and now victory.I will use all the info here to learn. Thanks all for the help really....Peace upp LOL

[daeron80]

Yay.

[albee1952]

And there was much rejoicing.........................yay