Finding fizz and removing it with EQ

[dbvoyager]

hello guys,

I'm trying to learn how to find disturbing frequencies and removing them with EQ. I watched a couple videos and read some articles but it seems I'm still not doing it correctly.

I narrow the Q and put it at least 12dB, then what? I sweep through frequencies but what should I actually look for? I hope that's clear enough so you can get my point. Thanks.

[Benoni]

The first thing to consider is the gain. How much gain do you need, maybe try reducing the gain, then you may want to try reducing the treble.

For the P-EQ, I usually look around 4k to 6k for the fizz. Sometimes you may find the fizz in the 2k range, every amp-cab-mic combo is different.

[dbvoyager]

Originally Posted by Benoni

The first thing to consider is the gain. How much gain do you need, maybe try reducing the gain, then you may want to try reducing the treble.

For the P-EQ, I usually look around 4k to 6k for the fizz. Sometimes you may find the fizz in the 2k range, every amp-cab-mic combo is different.

well yeah but I wanna find the range by myself.

example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaIvzbV40MM

how does he know he found the correct frequency to trim? I guess it's something like "the frequency which disturbs you gets much louder so you cut it there" but I'm not sure. There are some people who do that by tracking the whistle sound as they sweep through different frequencies, I didn't get that as well.

[77pro]

Originally Posted by dbvoyager

hello guys,

I'm trying to learn how to find disturbing frequencies and removing them with EQ. I watched a couple videos and read some articles but it seems I'm still not doing it correctly.

I narrow the Q and put it at least 12dB, then what? I sweep through frequencies but what should I actually look for? I hope that's clear enough so you can get my point. Thanks.

You should be listening at this point, not looking. It's all in what you hear...sweep throught the frequencies until you hear the offending sounds, then pull them out.

[dbvoyager]

Originally Posted by 77pro

You should be listening at this point, not looking. It's all in what you hear...sweep throught the frequencies until you hear the offending sounds, then pull them out.

uh well, I was looking for it more on the visual side so I was wrong. I mean you're right, it's about hearing -of course, this is music- not seeing. Now I got the idea.

By the way, for other people out there who want to learn how to do this, it is not called "finding fizz and removing it with EQ" but "subtractive EQ" or "notch filtering". You find lots of articles and videos over google.

Thanks for all replies.

[philip888]

Here is a little nugget I found a while back that has really helped me get better guitar tones using Amp Sims.

How to Make Amp Sims Sound More “Analog”
http://www.harmonycentral.com/docs/DOC-1652

[dbvoyager]

Originally Posted by philip888

Here is a little nugget I found a while back that has really helped me get better guitar tones using Amp Sims.

How to Make Amp Sims Sound More “Analog”
http://www.harmonycentral.com/docs/DOC-1652

this really helps, thanks a lot.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by dbvoyager

how does he know he found the correct frequency to trim? I guess it's something like "the frequency which disturbs you gets much louder so you cut it there" but I'm not sure

I think that's where ur ears come in. -what sounds good to u ? Solo'd is one thing and in the mix sound is another - what sounds the best to u??

[YYR123]

Whoops saw the other post after I posted - haha

[moff]

I usually get rid of the fizz without resorting to the PEQ.

First, add some speaker breakup - a setting of between 3 and 3.5 works for me, YMMV.

Second, experiment with cabs and mics and mic placement. Forget about what they're called, just LISTEN to them. Sometimes, the sound that's in your head that you think should be achievable with an AC30 and 2x12 with an SM57, is better achieved with a Plexi50, 4x12 with Vintage 65s, and a 409.

Again, it comes down to listening and not looking.