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tcar

Q: Unwanted Gain when adding EQ

I recently had some songs mastered for me but I think there is too much high-end sizzle on the cymbals/drums.

When I bring the tracks into waveburner, the tracks (which are already pretty loud) do NOT redline....but as soon as I turn on the EQ (even when totally flat)...all tracks go into the red.

I can bring down the gain on the EQ (-5db) to get rid of this, or I can reduce each tracks volume in the wave viewer (again -3to5 db)...but then they lose their overall punch.

All I really want to do is pull some top end off the EQ (high pass possibly) without altering the rest of the mix...

1. am I using the wrong tool?
2. Does waveburner automatically add 3-6db of gain? If so...why?

Thanks for your help.

mac mini 1.66, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jul 29, 2010 11:02 AM

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Q: Unwanted Gain when adding EQ

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  • by the-design-guy2,

    the-design-guy2 the-design-guy2 Jul 30, 2010 4:39 PM in response to tcar
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Audio
    Jul 30, 2010 4:39 PM in response to tcar
    You may have already done all this, but I'll offer it up anyway. I'm assuming you inserted your EQ as a Mix Plug-in rather than as a Region Plug-in (the Mix Plug-ins affect all of the tracks; the Region Plug-ins only affect the selected track)? I've had problems by having plug-ins under both tabs before. The effects are additive.

    I would also use the Liner Phase EQ to drop some of the high frequencies (high-cut). Also, I would suggest you throw on a limiter plug-in after your EQ with the gain set to 0 and the Output Level set to -0.3 or so. You'll be able to see how much is being limited in the Limiter plug-in display.

    Hope that helps.
  • by tcar,

    tcar tcar Jul 31, 2010 12:26 AM in response to the-design-guy2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 31, 2010 12:26 AM in response to the-design-guy2
    Currently it was set to "mix" instead of "region". More of a global affect. Appears to automatically add 4db to the output. This is the amount reduced in volume line in waveform per song to make the red disappear. Or I can keep volume constant and reduce gain in the "Channel EQ" gain by 4.0 and that makes the red go away.

    I will try the limiter phase EQ and see if that is as strong...and then try your limiter.

    Is this 4db boost just a normal part of Waveburner adding loudness to the tracks? Seem slike they would make that more controllable than just have it default to that.

    Thanks for your help!
  • by tcar,

    tcar tcar Jul 31, 2010 12:35 AM in response to tcar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 31, 2010 12:35 AM in response to tcar
    Okay...LInear Phase EQ seems to have far LESS effect on things. Switch it on and things stay flat. Cut the high end and things do NOT go red. Now I just need to isolate out my cymbals/high hat sounds and tweak them and I think I can call it a day.
  • by the-design-guy2,

    the-design-guy2 the-design-guy2 Jul 31, 2010 11:46 AM in response to tcar
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Audio
    Jul 31, 2010 11:46 AM in response to tcar
    That's pretty strange about the "Channel EQ" plug-in. I just did a test on my system. I had a mastered track that actually showed a little red in the rendered field. I added a "Channel EQ" in the Mix plug-ins with no gain and the red went away (which is also weird). But I'm definitely not seeing a 4dB gain. Gremlins in the system? I'm using Waveburner v1.6.1 (331.9).
  • by tcar,

    tcar tcar Aug 3, 2010 3:06 PM in response to the-design-guy2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 3, 2010 3:06 PM in response to the-design-guy2
    It could just be my system. Not sure.

    I guess this question is "solved" but I'd kind of like to keep it open to see if others have this problem.