Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Monday, April 20, 2020
Your Baseline EQ Settings. Streaming, Live, or Recording
So WOW it has really been a long time! With the COVID-19 outbreak, I have had A LOT more time on my hands and thought I would update the blog. It's funny to look back at a post from 2010 talking about live streaming services and now here we are living streaming every service! With live streaming to prevalent, I have had the opportunity to listen to services, that normally I would never have the opportunity to hear. So with that in mind, I would like to talk about EQ settings on your board channel by channel ( and a little about the mix).
Rule #2
Cut & Boost conservatively, depending on the resulting sound Q setting on a parametric EQ is very important.
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A simple understanding of the "Q" setting.
Some basic rules to operate by.
Rule #1
Each musical instrument has its own center frequencies and range. (parametric EQ, fader EQ settings)Rule #2
Cut & Boost conservatively, depending on the resulting sound Q setting on a parametric EQ is very important.
_________________________________________________________________________________
A simple understanding of the "Q" setting.
- A Q of 1.0 could be considered as "medium-wide"
- A Q of less than 1.0 is considered as "wide" frequency adjustment.
- A Q of 1.4 is an "average" adjustment.
- A Q of greater than 2.0 is a "narrow" adjustment
** There is also what is called "shelving" or low/high pass filtering. (simply cut's off freq. levels)**
"Center Frequency", is where maximum amplitude occurs, or in other words, the frequency most noticeable by the human ear.
For all those who are new to the idea of streaming services or uploading services to Youtube or your website for archiving, The spoken word is your top priority and therefore the center frequency for the human voice is:
- 300hz - 3000hz (3khz)
And the center of that is:
- 1650hz - 2000hz (2khz)
This range is very specific and where the human voice frequency is the strongest. So when mixing, (both song and spoken word) this range is reserved for the voice to avoid conflict with any instrument.
** Note parametric EQ's are measured in dB**
Some Presets for your parametric EQ per channel (fader)
DRUMS
Short Snare:
- Freq 1: 100hz, Boost 1dB, Q 1.0
- Freq 2: 2500hz, Cut 3dB, Q 1.4
- Freq 3: 8000hz, Boost 2 dB, Q 1.0
100 Hz serves to flatten the snare sound; cutting @250khz will minimize the conflict with the vocal. Boosting at 800khz will add crispness.
Kick Drum:
- Freq 1: 75hz, Boost 6dB, Q 1.0
- Freq 2: 400hz, Cut 6dB, Q 1.0
- Freq 3: 4000hz, Boost 1dB, Q 0.6
Boosting 75hz creates a super punch, cutting 400hz prevents conflict with guitar, bass & improves kick. Boosting at 400khz allows the kick drum to be heard in small speakers. (like headphones and TVs)
Guitars
Acoustic/Clean Guitars
- Freq 1: 3000hz, Cut 9dB, Q 1.0 (will make lead vocals cut through)
- Freq 2: 200hz, Cut 9dB, Low Shelf (removes bass from guitar to avoid issues with Bass)
- Freq 3: 5000hz, Boost 2dB, Q 1.4
- Freq 4: 800hz, Cut 6dB, Q 1.4
- Freq 5: 8000hz High Shelf (remove disturbing sibilance on guitar when picking)
Electric Guitar
- Freq 1: 160hz, High Pass Filter Cut 6dB
- Freq 2: 3000hz, Cut 9 dB, Q 1.0 (cutting prevents direct mudding of the vocals)
Bass Guitar
- 200hz Low Shelving
- 250hz Boost 3dB Q 2.0
Bass Guitar and Kick Drum Center Freq 45hz - 200hz
Vocals
Vocal Female
- Freq 1: 3000hz Boost 2dB Q 1.0
- Freq 2: 1500hz Boost 2dB Q 1.0
- Low Shelf 150hz Cut 6dB
Vocal Male
- 1000hz Boost 2dB Q 1.0
- 15000 Boost 2dB Q 1.0
- Low Shelf 100hz, Cut 6dB
Vocal Background (typically female)
- Freq 1: 3000hz Cut 6dB Q 1.4
- Freq 2: 12000hz Boost 3dB Q 1.0
- Low Shelf 250hz Cut 6dB
Like all things these settings should be used as a place to start after you have EQ'd the room and your system is set up properly (live music).
The intentional method of isolating frequencies for the specific instruments will help you create a more pleasing sound from the band vs what I like to call a wall of sound coming from the stage.
Next installment I will address the very difficult instruments, Piano, Strings and the rest of the drum set.
I hope this was helpful and I look forward to your comments and questions.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The MIX
Well here we are again talking about the mix! I have been visiting a not so local church for the last month or so, and found something that I have always known to be true. That is all the right gear and money wont make you sound better!! In fact I'm sure I have stated this before it will in deed make you sound worse! If your mix is bad. If your mix is good and your team is good you will sound good or even great! So here we are with a sound system guessing close to 1 million dollars, and the issue is the sound tech does not know what a good mix should sound like!!! So here is a tip for those who may have the same question. The instruments they are there to accent the vocals, not to drowned them out! The electric guitar should not run over the vocals of the band. Same for any other instrument in the band. It is possible to mix live music and it sound like the CD. It really is, see we have been trying for years to make cd's sound like a live performance (just think about the affects you add to the mix) and make live performance's sound like the cd! The electric guitar in a worship setting is very difficult to deal with as the play of said guitar wants to be over the top that is why the play that specific instrument! and this is why they are always wanting to be louder than they should be. Resist the pressure to mix them as the lead. Each and every song out there has a lead instrument that the song writer had in mind when writing.
The first and best piece of advice in training your ear in how live music should sound, is not going to live concerts. In fact most of the are the worst! I have no idea were they pick these guys up from? but they should stop... Listen (reference) live cd's this is what you want to try and accomplish. Now I as well as everyone else understands that the engineer took that multi-track recording back to the studio and made it perfect. You don't believe that go to a Hillsong united concert then listen to one of their cd's, they are one of my most favorite bands but pick the worst sound engineers in the world really a bose' system without a sound engineer would be better! The truth is that all the same effects gear etc that was used in the studio is available for use in the live setting as well. Now I also understand that there are budget issues no matter were you go. That is not the issue of this article. The point is learn what a live mix should sound like and give it your all.
So what are some basics of what it should sound like, so this is not so tough, linking back to an earlier statement the instruments are there to add to vocals not drown them out. There is the first place to start. Usually the guy/girl playing the electric guitar is playing it for a reason and that is they like the attention. Don't give in there are some songs were it does truly lead, but only a little bit more volume is required.
Drums: drums can be very difficult depending on how well you can isolate them and how big the room is. The bigger the room the easier they are to deal with. Note: the room needs to be REALLY big to not have a sound booth around them, I mean really big! If you can seat 2,00 people comfortably at once then you are okay not to shield the drums, otherwise get a good drum shield and mics.
The drums need to provide the realism of the performance, the kick drum & toms are going to make the drums. The cymbals don't carry as far as you might think when you listen up close, so pay attention when mixed correctly really add a nice touch. Make sure they are eq'd well as they can be very harsh, make them clean and smooth.
Acoustic guitar pretty easy usually typically the lead and should be on top just a bit again not to much. The difficulty is every guitar is different even from the same manufacture. So again clean and smooth. I will write another article about how to mic an acoustic guitar.(it's not just sticking a mic in front of it!)
Vocals the lead should lead, back up sing back up! Worship leaders please start leading! The arrangement was not written with 12 people singing the same thing word for word, not even choirs do that! it sounds horrible!
Remember blend, clear, smooth!!!!!
Till next time
God Bless
The first and best piece of advice in training your ear in how live music should sound, is not going to live concerts. In fact most of the are the worst! I have no idea were they pick these guys up from? but they should stop... Listen (reference) live cd's this is what you want to try and accomplish. Now I as well as everyone else understands that the engineer took that multi-track recording back to the studio and made it perfect. You don't believe that go to a Hillsong united concert then listen to one of their cd's, they are one of my most favorite bands but pick the worst sound engineers in the world really a bose' system without a sound engineer would be better! The truth is that all the same effects gear etc that was used in the studio is available for use in the live setting as well. Now I also understand that there are budget issues no matter were you go. That is not the issue of this article. The point is learn what a live mix should sound like and give it your all.
So what are some basics of what it should sound like, so this is not so tough, linking back to an earlier statement the instruments are there to add to vocals not drown them out. There is the first place to start. Usually the guy/girl playing the electric guitar is playing it for a reason and that is they like the attention. Don't give in there are some songs were it does truly lead, but only a little bit more volume is required.
Drums: drums can be very difficult depending on how well you can isolate them and how big the room is. The bigger the room the easier they are to deal with. Note: the room needs to be REALLY big to not have a sound booth around them, I mean really big! If you can seat 2,00 people comfortably at once then you are okay not to shield the drums, otherwise get a good drum shield and mics.
The drums need to provide the realism of the performance, the kick drum & toms are going to make the drums. The cymbals don't carry as far as you might think when you listen up close, so pay attention when mixed correctly really add a nice touch. Make sure they are eq'd well as they can be very harsh, make them clean and smooth.
Acoustic guitar pretty easy usually typically the lead and should be on top just a bit again not to much. The difficulty is every guitar is different even from the same manufacture. So again clean and smooth. I will write another article about how to mic an acoustic guitar.(it's not just sticking a mic in front of it!)
Vocals the lead should lead, back up sing back up! Worship leaders please start leading! The arrangement was not written with 12 people singing the same thing word for word, not even choirs do that! it sounds horrible!
Remember blend, clear, smooth!!!!!
Till next time
God Bless
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Ringing out the Room
Okay gang now it's very rare that I post every day let alone two in one day! But I ran accross this short but very good video on the basics of ringing out the room.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
More About Mics!
Okay so last time we talked about your standard vocal mics and some of their stregnths and weakness's. Today I want to tell you about one specific mic that to my surprise many have never heard of, that is a "sub kick" mic.
"Cardioid dynamic. For many years, a trade secret of top engineers was the use of a spare NS10M woofer 'in reverse' as an additional kick drum mic. Eventually, Yamaha cottoned on to the idea and made a proper (and reliable!) product. When used in addition to a mic inside the drum, the subkick lends incredible depth to the sound, and is also excellent on other bass instruments."
So that being said what are we really talking about here and why should you purchase one. Think back to a concert to that concert, you know the one that the drums exspecially the KICK that kick drum was incredible! I mean almost put a lump in your throat and pretty sure your heart skipped a beat! That was a sub kick! Now there are those who say that kind of power from a kick drum can only be released from the mighty powers of the compressors and gates. We could go on about that for days, so we wont!
In all seriousness this funny looking mic is nothing more than a small sub woofer wired to be a microphone! Brilliant right! Now it is a little more technical than that, but not much! One of the great things about this mic is its ability to perform, whether on the road indoors or even better outdoors! (it's awesome to be able to reproduce heart thumping kick outside!) but it will also perform in the studio and of course the most difficult venue of all, the worship service.
The key to a successful set up is to still use your standard kick drum mic for the attack in conjunction with the sub kick mic. Here is a demo video so you can hear the difference. I think you will still hear it fine even with out a sub on your computer speaker system.
If you have never heard one of these little beasts in action, stop by and reference one this Saturday! Let me know what you think!
God Bless!
"Cardioid dynamic. For many years, a trade secret of top engineers was the use of a spare NS10M woofer 'in reverse' as an additional kick drum mic. Eventually, Yamaha cottoned on to the idea and made a proper (and reliable!) product. When used in addition to a mic inside the drum, the subkick lends incredible depth to the sound, and is also excellent on other bass instruments."
So that being said what are we really talking about here and why should you purchase one. Think back to a concert to that concert, you know the one that the drums exspecially the KICK that kick drum was incredible! I mean almost put a lump in your throat and pretty sure your heart skipped a beat! That was a sub kick! Now there are those who say that kind of power from a kick drum can only be released from the mighty powers of the compressors and gates. We could go on about that for days, so we wont!
In all seriousness this funny looking mic is nothing more than a small sub woofer wired to be a microphone! Brilliant right! Now it is a little more technical than that, but not much! One of the great things about this mic is its ability to perform, whether on the road indoors or even better outdoors! (it's awesome to be able to reproduce heart thumping kick outside!) but it will also perform in the studio and of course the most difficult venue of all, the worship service.
The key to a successful set up is to still use your standard kick drum mic for the attack in conjunction with the sub kick mic. Here is a demo video so you can hear the difference. I think you will still hear it fine even with out a sub on your computer speaker system.
If you have never heard one of these little beasts in action, stop by and reference one this Saturday! Let me know what you think!
God Bless!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Microphones!
Today we are going to talk a bit about microphones, both the definition and the appliaction. The technical source for today's discussion is Sure Technologies. Sure has many wonderful road worthy products on the market that we have all learned to rely on through out the years! So thanks again to the great folks over at Sure.
Mics
The Omnidirectional microphone has equal sensitivity from all angles, a full 360 degrees. This type of mic is the most sensitive and will pick up the most ambient sound of all mics. This extreme sensitivity comes with a price. In the live worship service application this mic will pick up all kinds of stage sound, most of what you don't want! This microphone will give you the most heartache as well as you can not aim it away from the main speakers (360 deg range) they feed back very easy. If you are forced to use this mic on stage for any number of reasons remember to keep as close to the sound source and as far from the ambient sound as possible. This will help in picking up a usable balance between the two.
The Unidirectional mic is most sensitive from one specific direction. The most common is the Cardioid (heart-shaped) response. This mic is most sensitive at 0 degrees (on-axis) directly straight into the mic. The effective coverage range is about 130 degrees, about 65 degrees off axis (either side). This mic picks up about 1/3 the ambient sound of the Omni.
Example of the on stage use of both cardioid and super cardioid with regards to floor monitors.
Cardioid Mic requires that the monitors be directly behind mic @ 180 degrees. Supercardioid allows for monitors to be as far as about 100 degrees, 50 degrees off axis and still reject sound (no feedback!).
So as you can see in this short and basic description of these mic types should help you pick the correct mics for the application, and how to adapt to a changing situation that may require you to suddenly add or change out mic's.
Mics
The Omnidirectional microphone has equal sensitivity from all angles, a full 360 degrees. This type of mic is the most sensitive and will pick up the most ambient sound of all mics. This extreme sensitivity comes with a price. In the live worship service application this mic will pick up all kinds of stage sound, most of what you don't want! This microphone will give you the most heartache as well as you can not aim it away from the main speakers (360 deg range) they feed back very easy. If you are forced to use this mic on stage for any number of reasons remember to keep as close to the sound source and as far from the ambient sound as possible. This will help in picking up a usable balance between the two.
The Unidirectional mic is most sensitive from one specific direction. The most common is the Cardioid (heart-shaped) response. This mic is most sensitive at 0 degrees (on-axis) directly straight into the mic. The effective coverage range is about 130 degrees, about 65 degrees off axis (either side). This mic picks up about 1/3 the ambient sound of the Omni.
Example of the on stage use of both cardioid and super cardioid with regards to floor monitors.
Cardioid Mic requires that the monitors be directly behind mic @ 180 degrees. Supercardioid allows for monitors to be as far as about 100 degrees, 50 degrees off axis and still reject sound (no feedback!).
So as you can see in this short and basic description of these mic types should help you pick the correct mics for the application, and how to adapt to a changing situation that may require you to suddenly add or change out mic's.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Ustream and Church service
Unless you have lived in a cave for the last 4 years or so you know all about youtube.com. Many of your churches are using it to broadcast your messages and this is a very good idea! At the time of this posting youtube does not offer live broadcast. This is what ustream.com offers over youtube you can stream live video to the internet in a channel much like any television channel on broadcast TV. This service even has an app for Android and I phone. Setting up a live stream is very simple and if you are sending to youtube you have all the gear you need to provide live video feeds.
Try it out and let me know good and bad
Til next time God Bless!
Try it out and let me know good and bad
Til next time God Bless!
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