wavline1820m wrote: My question is this.
a: would it be better to run my stereo mixes out of my card(1820 emu m) and through my dbx 32 channel eq or would is using an interal plug better? i have been using the urs eq bundle, and it has some nice sounding eqs.

also, here is my main question. How do i determine, what frequencies my problems, lie in? like, lets say i have some bottom end rumbling, and i want to cut that frequency down or out, how do i dertermine, exactly what frequency that is? is there a tool to analyize that,?

Although I'm a big Analog advocate, I'd probably use the URS EQs instead of a dbx 32 band graphic. I haven't heard the URS EQs, but they sure look cool, copies of great classic EQs. As a general rule dbx Graphic EQs are not really mastering quality, intended more for live sound and installations.

Determining problem Freqs ? ... Some Very General Suggestions.

1. One standard method is to Sweep a tight notch thru the general range and hear what pokes out the most, then cut a little there.

2. Another method is to use a plug-in analyzer, to see what you're hearing, adjust what's peaking the most.

3. An ez method of course, would be to Hi Pass at about 21 Hz, and maybe a low shelf, cornered at 90Hz, reducing the lows in general.

Standard Disclaimer applies here ... Real Mastering goes far beyond and deeper than any general EQ hints.... use your ears and some really good monitors!

Good Luck

yeah, i hear ya. i know how to listen, and altough i am no master, i do hear the problems, and its just learning how to rid them. when you say a sweeping eq. what does that mean exactly. ? how would i do that...? like, with a parametric eq?

thanks.

yeah, i hear ya. i know how to listen, and altough i am no master, i do hear the problems, and its just learning how to rid them. when you say a sweeping eq. what does that mean exactly. ? how would i do that...? like, with a parametric eq?

thanks.

Sweep a parametric by increasing the gain of a frequency with a tight Q and "sweeping" through the frequency spectrum. Take the irritating frequencies (if there are any) down a bit.

DON'T HAVE YOUR SYSTEM UP TOO LOUD.

That being said - It'd have to be a really, really excellent EQ before I'd use "okay" converters for an analog pass... But let your ears be the judge of whether the sound quality is superior enough to use an analog pass instead of plugs or a digital unit.

BTW... I've got an 8200 for sale if you're ever interested... :wink:

I don't like the urs bundle they just don't sound right to me,John from massive recommended to me the sonalksis eq to try and I love it (for a plugin) it is the main eq I keep going for when digitally mastering,it just sounds right to me.Recently I did a project and believe it or not the snare was causing the speakers in my monitors to nearly jump out of the box,it was a synth snare which when the guy had recorded it he had messed with the filters on it and there was a (about 30 hz) carrier wave in which the snare was riding on.it was really weird,the mix was not distorting as you would expect and I noticed because I always watch my speakers side on occasionally just to see what they are actually doing as well,very important I believe to ensure against cases such as this.A high pass filter fixed this weird event,but it just goes to show what can happen.I mean the kick drum was huge but hardly budging the speakers and then when the snare would hit the drivers nearly jumped out of the speaker boxes.

get to know your frequencies! just mess around with a tight Q and boost various frequency areas, get a feel for their voice. doesnt take long to be able to pick out frequencies on the spot. i usually break down the spectrum in parts, like 250-400 kinda 'mud', 2.5k-4k is real sharp (really makes a guitar crisp), 8k+ basically cymbol ting. makes it easy to know how to sit an instrument in the mix.