Graphic EQ Uses?

[8Len8]

I’m on a weird kick lately. I want to keep my DAW workflow as simple as possible so I’m thinking about just using multi-band fixed frequency (maybe 7 band) graphic EQs everywhere. Not just on buses, but on individual tracks.

Anyone use specific EQs like that a lot of places in their workflow?

[Tj Shredder]

A parametric equalizer is much better suited for individual tracks. A graphic equalizer is useful for adjusting the balance in a room…

[onerob]

A 31 band graphic eq can work wonders on the master bus.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

I get less snobby about things the older I get. Years ago, I'd have avoided graphic EQ's like the plague. Nowadays, I realize that not always having freely adjustable Q and frequency points isn't always a benefit. Sometimes it's just faster and easier to work within certain constraints, and graphic EQ's are a great example of that. They're not surgical, but if you don't need surgical, then they're just another way to make something brighter or darker or cut/boost some mids, etc. For tone shaping, it's usually not a huge deal whether you're cutting 405hz exactly on a parametric EQ versus a fixed 380hz on a graphic EQ. You got some mud in there and just need to clear it out.

[vurt]

just do it!
then if you like it, its fine, it not you change it.

no right answers, only the right choice for you.

[kritikon]

Not sure how it makes workflow easier? 7 sliders instead of 5 knobs (if you're one of those who low cut everything). With parametric Eq often you only need the one band, which makes it only 3 knobs. The longer I've been doing it, the more convinced I am that too much Eqing is a destructive obsession anyway. A common complaint is how thin modern digital mixes sound - partly because we Eq everything to within an inch of its life. Didn't used to do that on desks in the bad old analogue world (low cutting was available but not de rigueur). So even if you do Eq everything, a graphic isn't streamlined...possibly even more complicated. Possibly your workflow problems are precisely because you have too much workflow?

[vurt]

Not sure how it makes workflow easier? 7 sliders instead of 5 knobs (if you're one of those who low cut everything). With parametric Eq often you only need the one band, which makes it only 3 knobs. The longer I've been doing it, the more convinced I am that too much Eqing is a destructive obsession anyway. A common complaint is how thin modern digital mixes sound - partly because we Eq everything to within an inch of its life. Didn't used to do that on desks in the bad old analogue world (low cutting was available but not de rigueur). So even if you do Eq everything, a graphic isn't streamlined...possibly even more complicated. Possibly your workflow problems are precisely because you have too much workflow?

no!
the problem with a lot of modern music is much simpler to understand
too much precision, delay times calculated to 10 decimal places

use your bloody ears not a calculator

psa.

[cryophonik]

just do it!
then if you like it, its fine, it not you change it.

no right answers, only the right choice for you.

This!

I love how musicians are all for thinking outside the box, swimming against the current, doing your own thang, etc., until someone says they’re going to use a graphic EQ instead of a parametric one and other musicians tell them it’s wrong.

[kritikon]

As for a more direct response, I'd use graphics for whole mixes if I had to. But I don't use graphic Eqs. Just don't see the need for them.

[kritikon]

Not sure how it makes workflow easier? 7 sliders instead of 5 knobs (if you're one of those who low cut everything). With parametric Eq often you only need the one band, which makes it only 3 knobs. The longer I've been doing it, the more convinced I am that too much Eqing is a destructive obsession anyway. A common complaint is how thin modern digital mixes sound - partly because we Eq everything to within an inch of its life. Didn't used to do that on desks in the bad old analogue world (low cutting was available but not de rigueur). So even if you do Eq everything, a graphic isn't streamlined...possibly even more complicated. Possibly your workflow problems are precisely because you have too much workflow?

no!
the problem with a lot of modern music is much simpler to understand
too much precision, delay times calculated to 10 decimal places

use your bloody ears not a calculator

psa.

What's the psa mean at the end? Your prostate playing up or something?

[vurt]

just do it!
then if you like it, its fine, it not you change it.

no right answers, only the right choice for you.

This!

I love how musicians are all for thinking outside the box, swimming against the current, doing your own thang, etc., until someone says they’re going to use a graphic EQ instead of a parametric one and other musicians tell them it’s wrong.

many years ago, i would record in to a ghetto blaster line input.
using 2 guitar pedal eqs as the final step for stereo out of my tape deck

[vurt]

Not sure how it makes workflow easier? 7 sliders instead of 5 knobs (if you're one of those who low cut everything). With parametric Eq often you only need the one band, which makes it only 3 knobs. The longer I've been doing it, the more convinced I am that too much Eqing is a destructive obsession anyway. A common complaint is how thin modern digital mixes sound - partly because we Eq everything to within an inch of its life. Didn't used to do that on desks in the bad old analogue world (low cutting was available but not de rigueur). So even if you do Eq everything, a graphic isn't streamlined...possibly even more complicated. Possibly your workflow problems are precisely because you have too much workflow?

no!
the problem with a lot of modern music is much simpler to understand
too much precision, delay times calculated to 10 decimal places

use your bloody ears not a calculator

psa.

What's the psa mean at the end? Your prostate playing up or something?

public service announcement.

prostate is very relaxed, i have a massager ..

[kritikon]

So that's what they call them nowadays. Good to know.

[cryophonik]

just do it!
then if you like it, its fine, it not you change it.

no right answers, only the right choice for you.

This!

I love how musicians are all for thinking outside the box, swimming against the current, doing your own thang, etc., until someone says they’re going to use a graphic EQ instead of a parametric one and other musicians tell them it’s wrong.

many years ago, i would record in to a ghetto blaster line input.
using 2 guitar pedal eqs as the final step for stereo out of my tape deck

That’s wrong. You should have used Pro Tools.

[vurt]

just do it!
then if you like it, its fine, it not you change it.

no right answers, only the right choice for you.

This!

I love how musicians are all for thinking outside the box, swimming against the current, doing your own thang, etc., until someone says they’re going to use a graphic EQ instead of a parametric one and other musicians tell them it’s wrong.

many years ago, i would record in to a ghetto blaster line input.
using 2 guitar pedal eqs as the final step for stereo out of my tape deck

That’s wrong. You should have used Pro Tools.

in all honesty, at that point in time, had you suggested a computer, id have cooked and eaten you.
i was very into my death metal, computers where not in my wheelhouse.