Subtractive EQ

[Darkow]

Hi DSF!

Before anyone shoots me down about using Google search, this is a request for more of a discussion on the topic than anything else. Everything has been discussed before however times change and people learn and discover new things.

So...Im feeling stuck in the mud when it comes down to my mixdowns, I'm sure a lot of people out there feel the same way too? Any suggestions/plugins for help with subtractive EQ?
I'm too indecisive to find and notch out the right frequencies that aren't needed and stuff, when I do notch out frequencies it ends up causing the mix to sound empty and loose its fullness...Are there any plugins/info out there that can help read/indicate visually the clashing frequencies of the overall mix or a reference point for common clashes in freq in instruments etc?

What are the key points to keep in mind when using subtractive EQ? According to my understanding its all about the EQ and sample selection that determines the quality of your mix down so we need to learn and discuss as much as possible about this.

Thanks guys!

[wub]

Parametric EQ2 works just fine for me for subtractive EQing needs. Usually have it linked via the Peak Controller so that the EQ ducks around the notch whenever the element that I want to make space for hits.

[Darkow]

Parametric EQ2 works just fine for me for subtractive EQing needs. Usually have it linked via the Peak Controller so that the EQ ducks around the notch whenever the element that I want to make space for hits.

Smart way to go about it! I use ableton so I'm going to have to find some kind of equivalent to doing the same thing...

[efence]

first off. understand fundemental frequency's
i was there at one point....
so it all depends on your goals of the mixdown.
rather than assume what your goals are i will explain my process.
1. which will hit in the low sub 50-90 hrtz, my kick or bass line. once i've decided i'll make cut while the 2 are solo'ed. say i'll keep start my cuts to my kick at 100 on my kick and 50 on my sub. if my kick and sub hit together i could notch my sub at 100 or sidechain.
2.figure out where my snares is hitting (fundementaL) if its at 250 and my snare and kick hit together than notch the kick at 250.
3.cut everything at 150 to 250 at mild slope that runs along with drums. (if the snares power seems to change then the fundemental is still muddy)
4.at this point if i want my kick and snare to really pop, find the top frequency's that they will poke through.(you can do this by boosting a narrow band on each and finding where it makes the yop poke through the mix)once you've found that pop you want to notch things that play at same time.
---now your kick and snare should sound great in the mix----
5.at this point start figuring out where everything else should sit(if you want natural sounding mix use mild slopes you want big digital mix you can go a little steeper.
i think thats a good start for me(thats not even getting into sense of space in the stereo field using reverb and stereo imaging)

4.notch 250 if the snares fundemental is still getting muddy(you'll know if your snares seems to change its power while songs play.)

[efence]

if your mix ever starts to sound empty then your your cutting too wide or the wrong frequency's...or the sounds do all ways line up. If the case the only some times hit at same time the you should totally use a a duck on the clashing frequency's but if the clash a lot on and off, in my experience is that it adds problems to any self mastering....but i do all my own mastering so my problem might be right there

[Darkow]

Legend advise efence! Thanks man! That answers alot! What about the mid bass element?