Lecture 8-Frequency Content Flashcards
What is equalisation?
Often when we mix, sound elements clash in a particular frequency range, equalisation is the process of adjusting the strength of particular frequencies within an audio signal.
What are we trying to do with EQ?
To make a sound clearer, larger than life (make it hyper-real!), make the elements of the mix fit together by manipulating the frequency content.
Frequency ranges of Sub-bass and Bass:
Sub-bass-16-60Hz, sense of power, felt more than heard, too much makes it sound muddy.
Bass-60-250Hz, contains a lot of fundamental tones, too much makes the sound boomy.
Frequency ranges of low-mids and high-mids:
Low-mids-250-2kHz, contains a lot of low order harmonics. Boosting 250-500 sounds resonant.
High-mids-2kHz-4kHz, contains speech recognition sounds such as m, b or v, too much can cause listener fatigue.
Frequency ranges of presence and brilliance:
Presence-4kHz-6kHz, makes the sound clearer and with more definition,
Brilliance-6kHz-16kHz, controls brilliance and clarity, too much causes vocal sibilance.
What is a low-pass filter?
A simple filter that passes signals with a frequency lower than a certain cutoff frequency and attenuates signals with frequencies higher than the cutoff frequency. Cutoff ~1000Hz
What is a high-pass filter?
Attenuates the low frequencies
What is a band-pass filter?
Only lets a certain frequency band pass through.
What is a parametric equaliser?
Special type of filter for boosting/cutting particular frequency ranges.
What are the 3 parameters in a parametric equaliser?
Gain: how much frequency band is boosted or cut in dB,
Frequency: the centre frequency of the band,
Q: the quality or resonance factor.
What are the uses of a parametric equaliser?
As a notch filter, to remove unwanted frequencies.
The higher the Q value, the narrower the notch,
Or it can be used to boost certain frequency ranges.
What are the uses of filters?
Used extensively in film and TV production. Vocals: removing low end rumble, adding clarity and definition. Sound effects/foley: ensuring the timbre of the effect matches the scene. Mixing: ensuring that all elements of the mix are not fighting for space in terms of the overall spectrum of sound.
