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Dillon Abell
Now that I've been digging in to the mixing process these two components are making more and more sense as you go along. The difference that EQ and compression can make in your tracks sound quality is amazing! Of course EQ can be used in much more situations that just Protools recording, it is also a huge component in getting quality live sound! Quieting troublesome frequencies and boosting pleasent frequencies in a live performance can help the band hear their music better and also allow the audience to enjoy it more. By simply being able to attenuate certain frequencies we are able to create more precise and enjoyable songs. Learning what frequency ranges certain instruments and sound qualities live in is one of the most drastic things that has helped my mixing abilities. As a musician who plays with a band that has many instruments going at once, it's easy to notice that sometimes the sound gets jumbled and mixed together. In the studio or live, EQ is one of the best ways to fix that.
The other great way to control the sound of your music is through Dynamic Signal Processing. Essentially we are controlling the volumes and sound range of tracks or instruments that are recieving DSP. Though this sounds very simple, sometimes it is not. The most common form used of DSP is compression. With compression we are limiting the dynamic range in which the voice, instrument, etc. can reach. Many instruments have nuances that causes spikes at outlying frequencies that can cause undesireable effects. When compression is added, any time a sound goes passed the user defined range, that sound is diminished. This can help your tacks sound more defined and crisp. Other forms of DSP are limiters, expanders and gates, all working in different ways to control the volume and signal level of your audio.
This week I got to work with a band called Wasted Youth. They were in to record a seven song CD with Allusion studios. With this gig, I helped set up the studio, getting drums, mics and placement set up and organized. Chase and I spent time getting all the signal levels right, getting good sound quality and choosing the right equipment for the job. The band was very good, a punk/heavy rock style, and they were able to do all of their songs in a few takes. Chase and I worked on mixing, panning, EQ and compression on these tracks the day after recording and got them well on their way to being professionally finished. Working in the studio and recording bands is definately one of my favorite aspects of being in the music business.
