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filters and EQ

filters and EQ

2003-03-04 by spaceanimals <alciere@midmaine.com>

Let me clarify my remarks about EQ, especially in conjuction with 
filters. Generally I don't like to boost frequencies, especially the 
treble frequencies. Electronic instruments have much more high 
frequency content than acoustic or electric instruments. Boosting 
these frequencies can lead to ear fatigue, as well as creating shrill 
screechy anoying sounds. 

Cutting frequencies, especially a little around the midrange and the 
bass to avoid burying the other instruments is fine, but usually 
that's done during the mix down or done by the sound man if on stage.

Filters are much more radical. Where you might use an EQ to cut a 
couple of decibels, a low pass filter will be eith 12, 18, or 24 
decibel roll off. Analog synths have very primitive wave shapes, and 
filters were designed to actually alter the shape of the wave-make 
something sound more like a clarinet or more like a trumpet.

So although filters can definitely be an effect-wah wah pedals for 
example, and EQ is a type of filter, I think of filters as being an 
intergral part of the synthesizer sound and character rather than an 
add on.

Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.spaceanimals.com
http://www.mp3.com/spaceanimals

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