[quote title=sui-city wrote on Sat, 19 February 2005 09:22]...
Do any of you automate EQ to deal with a specific instrument.
...and in comparison with my band, i found that the bass was really smooth, always present. It never bulged out on a specific note, just always round and warm.
This got me thinking that there are so many combinations of bass guitars, amps, effects, mics that maybe the only way to deal with a any specific combination was to automate the EQ, focussing on the dominant frequencies as the player changes from note to note...
Any thoughts on this?
/quote]
Hi Danny,
This is not a simple subject in my opinion.
Firstly, I have found over many session years that somebody else's bass (or for that matter, insert instrument/vocal of your choice here) seems to sound better to you than the one you're trying to work with at any particular moment. I think that is part of a common human trait ("the grass is always greener syndrome").
Secondly, I agree that the BEST way to get bass to sound balanced across the frequency range is to record it properly in the first place. Every bass is different, every bass amp is different, every mic/placement is somewhat different, even DI boxes are different.
Thirdly;
Over the years, I would wish many times for an easy way to automate EQ, just for this purpose. Today, of course, it's easy if you're working on a DAW. BUT, I have also found that every technical advance, every amazing new capability, is a two edged sword. For every possibility to carefully work and improve every note, there is also the possibility of making an even bigger mess of the whole thing. Simple is always best, and effects, large EQ changes, even compression should be used only on an as-needed basis, not as a matter of course or habit.
One of the things which always seemed to ameliorate the bass uneveness problem was analogue tape, especially when recording at 15 ips. The so-called "glue" which happens with analogue seems to be especially helpful with the bass instrument. A type of compression seems to occur, and an overall deepening of the fundamental frequency, adding a very even, pleasant, and musical sound to the bass. However, you appear to be working digitally (since you have the capability to automate every note), so using analogue may not be an option for you.
If you have recorded only a DI signal, you might also consider running the recorded track through a bass amplifier, and mic'ing and recording that. This could add a better balanced, analogue-type version of the bass sound. If you've recorded both DI and amp already, do you like your amp sound? If not, is that contributing to the problem? You could always re-amp the DI signal.
One other possibility might be that you may have already recorded the bass both by direct injection and through an amp, and you're happy with the amp sound. But don't forget that these two signals may well be slightly out of time alignment ("out of phase"), and that can be causing a frequency differential amongst the various notes. Since you are working on a DAW, you have the capability to zoom in on the waveforms, and make sure that the positive and negative peaks are in alignment. Do this before any massive automation changes.
Lastly, I would say that yes, you certainly can, and probably should, carefully tailor level, EQ, and even perhaps compression on every note that seems to be out of balance. BUT I would do it with caution, stepping back every so often to hear the "big picture," that is, how the bass is integrating into the whole song and its balance. In other words, don't get too caught up in the tiny intricacies of every little note, while neglecting the overall picture. Remember, the final consumer will only hear the final mix.
Good luck with your bass excursion!
Terry