Refining Sound Question

[mayan]

Just a coupla questions for the effect-o-scenti here:
1) when do folks use limiters rather than compressors?

2) how do folks utilize spectragraphs (or whatever they are called)...y'know the things that analyze the sound graphically but don't do anything to modify the sound? Is it simply a way to see whether a mix is deficient in the bass or treble - i.e. a clue as to how to apply EQ? Also, is there a typical "shape" for such a graph - for instance, and upside curve shape?

Thanks.

[shamann]

1) as the final stage of mixing. Also sometimes after any instrument that is prone to wild volume spikes. Comb filter feedback instruments are especially prone to spikes.

2) If by ear alone there is a frequency range either that seems missing or is driving you crazy, check it out with a spectragraph. Also worth checking out when doing a lot of manipulation like timestretching and pitchshifting to avoid aliasing etc. Spectrographs are good way to zero on frequencies for precision filtering. And useful too to see what you're actually doing to a signal when processing, what frequencies get added or removed by a processor.

[mayan]

Thanks shamann, that's informative. Is there any particular constellation of frequency which is to be sought after or is it pretty much let yr ears be yr guide (what I generally end up doing). Thanks again.

[shamann]

I'm sure some folk have specifics. I think Voxengo has plugin that is suposed to present an ideal spectral curve. For me its just a tool to see what I'm hearing. I usually use it on over processed sounds, where I'm saying to myself that something is terribly wrong.

For general EQ'ing, I think smart put together a handy general guide to frequency ranges for specific instruments and situations. I think it's available over at sectionz.com in the articles. There's something similar over at TraxMusic too.

[mayan]

thanks, dude...will check out the sites...stems from working on a piece and having my ears fall apart on me...not precisely knowing the sound I want but rather knowing what I don't want...the basic mix is cool but the polishing, buffing and refining is a bitch...Get the EQ right and then try to compress which then throws the EQ out of whack, etc. Not whining mind you...just time for some education.

[kritikon]

1) when do folks use limiters rather than compressors?

Likewise...mostly as a last FX in the master chain to stop clips and/or squeeze a little more volume out of a mix.
Occasionally I'll use a compressor in half-band mode at top ratio settings (so that it's effectively a limiter) as an exciter - in highpass mode anyways. Doesn't always work, but can be a nice effect occasionally.
Also occasionally I'll use a limiter when recording any outboard synth that I know I'm going to be using high resonance on if I'm doing some mad knob-twiddling. Especially something like my MC202...I've very nearly blown speakers on that one before by accident ....I don't do it often though, as a limiter on an instrument channel usually kills the sound completely unless it's a specific desired effect.

I might even less occasionally use a limiter as a distortion FX - most of them don't sound very nice at all when distorting, but analogue comps in maximum ratio can sound sweet - I've a curious soft spot for LA4C distorted basslines for some reason - very difficult to use them in a mix, but they sound f**king huge in lowpass mode.

2) how do folks utilize spectragraphs (or whatever they are called)...y'know the things that analyze the sound graphically but don't do anything to modify the sound? Is it simply a way to see whether a mix is deficient in the bass or treble - i.e. a clue as to how to apply EQ? Also, is there a typical "shape" for such a graph - for instance, and upside curve shape?

Mostly I use my ears, but occasionally an analyser will help me pinpoint some bad Eqing on basslines - although I rarely do anything with Eq unless it's cutting. I mean bad Eqing within a synth patch - I might use a BPF for a bass patch that I don't want to go too low with, but an analyser might help me spot if some of the lower notes are a bit lacking, or if there's some sweet spot, where I hit a certain note and the bass goes through the roof. Useful on nearfields, as the bass end is unrepresented...although I use it only as a rough guideline - can't beat actually listening on other systems where the bass can be heard. But you can get a very general idea with an analyser for sure.

Mostly I use analysers as a way of passing time watching pretty flashing lights when I've suddenly run out of inspiration, but can't bring myself to turn off the PC.