Musical Skills!! 47mixed track. One of the problems with this process is that when the tracks
are balanced and a particular effect does not sound appropriate, the only
solution is to rerecord that track and adjust the effect. This can be time
consuming. The solutions to these problems depend on the budget, but
with creative thinking and planning, most technical problems are solvable.
The following are some commonly used processors.
Equalization (EQ).Equalizing is the ability to filter sound frequencies
by using low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters. Recording consoles,
real or virtual, offer engineers the ability to alter the sound of the signal
flowing through each channel.EQ(the industry term) can alter the sound
minimally or radically. For example, adding EQ to high frequencies can
add clarity to a muffled-sounding vocal, and cutting the low frequencies
can delete the ‘‘mud’’ from a bass sound. Engineers are able to boost or
cut frequencies and increase or decrease the gain (volume) of selected fre-
quencies. Basic consoles generally contain low-frequency, midrange, and
high-frequency equalizers. Sophisticated recording consoles contain more
complex EQs and better-quality EQs.
In addition to console equalization, separate hardware units can be
patched into the recording. The two most popular types of equalizers are
parametric EQandgraphic EQ.
Parametric equalizer.All frequencies of parametric equalizers can be
boosted or attenuated by ‘‘smoothly’’ adjusting the volume levels of
selected frequencies. The Q adjustment allows the engineer to select a spe-
cific sound and boost or cut the level without affecting surrounding fre-
quencies. They are manufactured with a variety of bands, such as a three-
band equalizer or an eight-band equalizer. More precise editing can be
accomplished with multiple bands. Parametric equalizers are included
with most hardware and software recording consoles.
The frequencies of other types of equalizers can be edited by selecting
predetermined steps, called discrete steps, that are changed by clicking a
knob.
Graphic equalizer.The frequencies of graphic equalizers are arranged
according to musical octaves. In place of knobs, sliders are used. Frequen-
cies are adjusted by moving the sliders in a linear fashion. Many graphic
equalizers have up to eight frequency bands.
Equalization is important to the creative process. Only the basics have
been covered in these descriptions. Equalizers are complex devices, and
using them effectively requires extensive experimentation by engineers
and programmers.
Reverberation units.Reverb creates a feeling of space and ambience.
The delays mimic sound reflecting from walls, ceilings, and other nonab-
sorbant surfaces. Delays (a series of repeated echoes) are measured in mil-
liseconds and are changeable. Some reverb units allow complex
programming, helping to achieve interesting effects. The parameters of the
virtual size and surface material of a room are programmable. Standard