Theres a load of marketing mumbo jumbo out there about how an eq sounds this way or that way or this synths filter is rubbery etc...

Years ago i know i wouldnt have heard the difference that much but i think my ears have become more acute in a listening sense

One example is I have that Harrison 32C Eq from UAD - its supposed to colour the sound, its not a "clean" eq
I can actually hear that now... if i put it on a bassline, especially in the lower mids, sort of something there thats not actually clean (maybe expectation bias lul)

Anyone feel this way? Also listening to tracks/mixes, ive definitely become more analytical, its rare theres something in there that i dont know how it was done (or have a fair idea)

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Yeah, I listen to some stuff and by brain automatically transcribes melodies, chords, wave types and other shit for me, without asking me first. Cannot be switched off. Sucks enjoyment out of music.
What a fucking bitch.

Interesting topic.

Personally, I don't get too hung up on the minutiae of differences in e.g., EQs. I'm definitely more of a "big picture" kinda guy, so I'm not one to spend hours A/B-ing EQs to see if I can detect the subtle differences. My approach usually involves selecting the tool that I think will get the desired result and tweaking the sound in question in isolation, in the whole mix, and against other competing sounds. If I can't there quickly with whatever tool I'm using, I try something else.

It really comes down to knowing your plugins/gear. That's why I only have a few go-to EQs and compressors - one or two for transparent/surgical work, and a few others for color or creative effects. IMO, the better you know a few select tools, the more apt you are to be able to get the desired result.

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It's a state of mind thing, hearing vengeance loops on the radio, anticipating how tracks will flow with all uplifter drop cliches etc. Very few songs left that I can feel sucked into...

Most of the songs are just plain anoying EDM sample samplepacks, same soft synths, same midi construction kit crappy songs.

I'm now at the stage that i can even hear the "made with ableton" genre, not neccecary DAW wise, but the sheer amount of included content, loops, patterns, preset sounds that everyone seems to be using. SICK TO DEATH of the Ableton "Minimal" construction kits sound... Bahhhh...

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quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Interesting topic. Personally, I don't get too hung up on the minutiae of differences in e.g., EQs. I'm definitely more of a "big picture" kinda guy, so I'm not one to spend hours A/B-ing EQs to see if I can detect the subtle differences. My approach usually involves selecting the tool that I think will get the desired result and tweaking the sound in question in isolation, in the whole mix, and against other competing sounds. If I can't there quickly with whatever tool I'm using, I try something else. It really comes down to knowing your plugins/gear. That's why I only have a few go-to EQs and compressors - one or two for transparent/surgical work, and a few others for color or creative effects. IMO, the better you know a few select tools, the more apt you are to be able to get the desired result.

yeah man, gotta agree with that, ive cut down an awful lot on plugins, it gets to stage where you know what you have is good enough to get the job done properly

Take the Valhalla plugins for example...yeah there may be plugins that will appear in future that will be better but i think for me i dont really need them to sound better than they are now

just on a side-note in regards current production styles - ive noticed what i think is a tiny step "back" from that big upfront techno sound, where the drums and stuff are really in your face
One of Alan Fitzpatrick's new tracks i heard on his latest mix actually sounded almost like it had reverb on the master it was that wet

anyone else noticing any trends like that? (probably just something ive completely misinterpreted!)

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