eq, tone, & frequency - collaborate worshipthe bass guitar from the acoustic guitar. or maybe i...
TRANSCRIPT
© 2016, James Wasem. All rights reserved. GreatChurchSound.com
LEARNING ABOUT FREQUENCIES
The more you can learn about the frequency range of the sounds you are listening to, the more you will be able to e�ectively isolate and control those frequencies with your EQ. Besides actively practicing with the various EQ settings on your console or other hardware, it can be very helpful to have a fundamental knowledge and reference point for what sounds and instruments are in the various frequency ranges.
For example, I may want to separate the sound of the bass guitar from the acoustic guitar. Or maybe I want the male vocalist to cut through the mix a little better.
Knowing the fundamental frequency ranges that these audio sources operate in will help you know where to start adjusting the EQ to better �t them into your mix. Learning some of the tonal characteristics of various music instruments will also help clarify the overall sound and give each instrument its own space in the mix.
EQ, Tone, & FrequencyGreat Church Sound
© 2016, James Wasem. All rights reserved. GreatChurchSound.com
I’ve also included a master frequency chart here has been extremely bene�cial for me when assessing the various instruments and vocal sources I’m mixing. And it has helped me learn how to handle the tone pro�le of each source. I still refer back to this as often as needed to refresh my memory and keep training my ears.
Frequency Range Characteristics
20 – 40 Hz (1st Octave) Frequencies are more felt than heard
40 – 80 Hz (2nd Octave) Can add warmth or boom to music
80 – 160 Hz (3rd Octave) Thump, punchy attack
160 – 320 Hz (4th Octave) Upper bass, can cause muddy or thin sound
320 – 640 Hz (5th Octave) Midrange power, adds depth and body
640 – 1280 Hz (6th Octave) Tinny & hornlike sounds, nasal tones
1280 – 2560 Hz (7th Octave) Can cause listener fatigue, telephony sound
2560 – 5120 Hz (8th Octave) Presence, perceived loudness & projection
5120 – 10240 Hz (9th Octave) Bright & brilliant sound quality, sharpness
10240 – 20480 Hz (10th Octave) Sizzle, air or openness, hiss
TONE & FREQUENCY CHARACTERISTICS
© 2016, James Wasem. All rights reserved. GreatChurchSound.com
Octave
8Octave
Note
AB
CD
EF
GA
BC
DE
FG
AB
CD
EF
GA
BC
DE
FG
AB
CD
EF
GA
BC
DE
FG
AB
CD
EF
GA
BC
Note
Freq
uency
(Hertz)
27
31
33
37
41
44
49
55
62
65
73
82
87
98
110
123
131
147
165
175
196
220
247
262
294
330
349
392
440
494
523
587
659
698
784
880
988
1046
1175
1319
1397
1568
1760
1976
2093
2349
2647
2794
3136
3520
3951
4186
Freq
uency
(Hertz)
Freq
uency
(Hertz)
27
31
33
37
41
44
49
55
62
65
73
82
87
98
110
123
131
147
165
175
196
220
247
262
294
330
349
392
440
494
523
587
659
698
784
880
988
1046
1175
1319
1397
1568
1760
1976
2093
2349
2647
2794
3136
3520
3951
4186
Freq
uency
(Hertz)
Sopran
oAlto
Teno
rBa
ss
Flute
Clarinet
Cello
Guitar
Bass
Guitar
Congas
Cymba
ls
FemaleVo
cal
MaleVo
cal
Toms
Kick
Snare
www.GreatChurchSound.comCommon Instrument & Vocal Frequency Ranges
(fundamental range)
Octave7
0
www.GreatChurchSound.com
Violin
Trum
pet
Trom
bone
Tuba
Octave1
Octave2
Octave3
Octave4
Octave5
Octave6
CommonInstrument&VocalFrequencyRanges(fundamentalrange)
© 2016, James Wasem. All rights reserved. GreatChurchSound.com
Along with other books and tutorials, there are some new options out there to help you learn more about EQ and train your ears.
You may wish to check out a couple apps that are designed to help sound engineers, musicians, and other audio connoisseurs train their ears. They are especially useful for teaching you what to listen for and the e�ect that various EQ adjustments have on what you are hearing.
One app is HearEQ and is available for Apple iPhones and iPads. Check it out at www.hearEQ.com
Quiztones makes another app for iOS and Android devices, as well as a software option for Mac. You can �nd out more at www.quiztones.com
Another great website for helping train your ears is www.EasyEarTraining.com. Though primarily geared towards musicians, this website has some great interactive training modules, including free and paid courses and guides.
And of course, when you’re ready to start practicing your EQ and mixing skills, check out the Great Church Sound app. It’s the perfect companion to the book and it includes a multi-track digital practice mixer, frequency analyzer, and lots of tips to help you get great sound.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE GREAT CHURCH SOUND APP TODAY FOR ANDROID AND APPLE IOS