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Clean frequencies
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| kojinsei |
Ever hear a dance track with totally clean frequencies? I find more and more people having issues with this now today than ever before. I've put together this little cover of ATB's "Don't Stop" for you all to hear what clean frequencies really sound like, possibly to be used as a reference point for your own work. I realize this may not help everyone, but for thoe with good ears it could mean the world.
http://members.cox.net/robr/atbrac.mp3
Enjoy! |
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| Vizay |
| what do you really mean with clean frequencies? that the different sounds don't interfere with eachothers frequencies? |
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| iLLicit |
I can hear that your track is sounding very professional, it really sounds clear. But I also don't exactly understand what you try to say with this thread. Please explain!
:conf: |
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| Cuervo79 |
| Downloading.... you mean you hear that nothing is next to each other to me it sounds kind of minimal, like my work... with very little sounds, and seems like there is a whole gap left to fill? nice cover man.... |
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| kojinsei |
When I say clean frequencies, I mean that the different instruments don't contend with eachother for space. When they do, it creates a muddy sound that isn't too appealing, yet it litters the majority of tracks out there, be they professional or not. Each instrument lives in its own frequency range, and the others don't try to barge in. This problem is corrected by filtering and equalizing. Keep in mind, however, that most EQ units will harm your sound more than help it, so whwnever possible use the filters on your synths to EQ your sound. For example, to cut the low end off of a lead, instead of running it through an EQ which could degrade the sound, run it through the synth's HP filter. If you need to cut the high frequencies off of a bass, use the LP filter, etc. Also, people tend to think in terms of high-frequencies (HF), mid-frequencies (MF), and low-frequencies (LF). Don't forget that the MF consist of LMF (low mid-frequencies) and HMF (high mid-frequencies) which must be cared for seperately.
This track serves to allow you to hear what a clean mix sounds like. |
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| Cuervo79 |
| Well As i said to me it sounded empty... like there is allot of space to fill up.... |
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| xls |
| quote: | Originally posted by Cuervo79
Well As i said to me it sounded empty... like there is allot of space to fill up.... |
Totally agree. I find this is a common mistake people make. Taking all the low-end off of leads will leave your tune sounding empty every time (not saying that's the exact problem here). When a track sounds empty like that it tends to sound quite cold, overprocessed and digital.
There are other ways of ensuring instruments don't conflict than just filtering their frequencies. Use the stereo spectrum as well, just don't pan out your kicks and main bass. And sometimes all it takes is a proper mix between two instruments - give one prominence over the other, that way their not competing for the space at the "front" of the overall mix. Or put more reverb on one of them to differentiate it/give it a different character. All these things can help maintain a nice "full" sounding mix.
Don't get me wrong, the mix is pretty good and it is nice and clean, but you may want to re-think the way you've achieved this result. :) |
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| Floorfiller |
personally i would love to get a really detailed explanation of how to do this more effectively. everyone always just says use the filters and eq and their you go, but there has to be more to it then that. i want an explanation from an experienced sound engineer that tells me how to learn this talent...
i guess the biggest problem that i have when it comes to this is what happens when sounds DO overlap? i mean if i filter out too much it changes the sound quality and the sound so what do you do in this case. also, is there a good filter/EQ out there that lets you control the frequencies that you cut out a little better and more accurate then hi-filter or low-filter. like is there one that will let you say...i want this sound to have a range between 12-24 or something similar. thats what i need help with...any suggestions on that..
btw, i also think that this is a growing problem in music. one of the most attractive parts to a mix i think is the soundscape thats created...without that you can't have a massive tune... |
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| hey cheggy |
| I'm still looking for a nice VST filter. Any recommendations? |
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| iLLicit |
| quote: | Originally posted by hey cheggy
I'm still looking for a nice VST filter. Any recommendations? |
Aren't we all?
I guess we will have to spend some money on a hardware eq or hardware filter.
:whip: |
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| xls |
The Waldorf D-Pole is the best VST filter I've seen.
If you want to get really detailed, use a multi-band eq plugin like the Waves Q10 Paragraphic EQ. |
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| Floorfiller |
| quote: | Originally posted by xls
The Waldorf D-Pole is the best VST filter I've seen.
If you want to get really detailed, use a multi-band eq plugin like the Waves Q10 Paragraphic EQ. |
yeah...i need to get the waves platnium pack...its AWESOME!!! |
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