Music Production test 2

What is EQ

A device/plugin that lets you control harmonic and timbral information

What can you apply EQ to

A single input, group, or entire track

What is "Q"

Bandwidth or the shape of a curve

Low Q = ____ bandwidth

high, vice versa

What is a shelving filter ?

an EQ shape used only at the low or high end. It brings frequencies up to a level in a flat shape

What is a High pass filter ?

This allows frequencies above a certain level to be heard, quieting frequencies below that point; used to cut out low end

What is a low pass filter ?

allows frequencies below a certain level to be heard, quieting frequencies above that point; use to cut out high end

What's a notch filter?

A thin shape used to remove specific frequencies

What are the 3 types of Equalizers

Selectable frequency/semi-parametric, Parametric, and graphic

What's a semi-parametric EQ ? (selectable frequency)

an older, usually physical, console. Only allows you to edit a few frequencies

What is a parametric EQ ?

a ~7 band EQ; allows you to edit any and multiple frequencies

What is a graphic EQ

can be a physical console; Allows one to edit a range frequencies which are 1/3 octave away from one another.

What should you do before EQ-ing anything?

Check the phase!

What frequencies are in the "Lows"

20Hz - 200Hz

What frequencies are in the "Low-mids"

200Hz - 800Hz

What frequencies are in the "mids"

800Hz <=> 3000Hz

What frequencies are in the "high-mid"

3000Hz <=> 5000Hz

What frequencies are in the "Highs"

5000Hz <=> 20,000Hz

What are dynamics?

the range of possible/acceptable volumes

What are the 3 States of Dynamics?

Saturation, Average signal level, and System/ambient noise

What is saturation (state)

When input signal is so large that a digital converter reacts full-scale; what the meter is red.

When is saturation "good"

In the context of physical gear; eg: tube amps have a pleasing distortion

When is saturation "bad"

In the digital realm/DAWS. Results in clipping and displeasing sounds

What is average signal level (state)

the common level in a mix where sounds reside. You'll usually want your sounds here.

What is system/ambient noise (state)

Subtle background noises: air conditions, trains, rain, fans, etc

What is a dynamic range processor ?

It's an automatic fader; can reduce dynamics of a signal above a threshold and increase ones below. better known as compression.

How are dynamics measured

Decibels, dB

What's a "higher" dynamic range of a song

120 to 140dB

What's the dynamic range of a compact disc

80 to 90 dB

What's the dynamic range of a cassette

60dB

What's the dynamic range of a vinyl record?

60 to 70dB

What is dynamic range?

The distance (in dB) between your quietest and loudest signals

What are the 4 controls of a compressor?

Threshold, ratio, attack, and release

What is threshold (compressor control)

The level which your device will begin to reduce/increase incoming signal

What is ratio (compressor control)

determine the amount of input signal that's needed to a cause a 1 dB increase in a compressors output. The higher the "top" value, the higher reduction

What does a 1:1 ratio do (compressor control)

nothing lol

what is attack (compressor control)

determines how fast/slow your device will decrease/increase signal according to the threshold

how is attack calibrated (compressor control)

in milliseconds

what is release (compressor control)

determines how fast/slow your device will fade out; how fast it'll revert the to signals original dynamic after it's fallen below the threshold

what does a fast attack/release do (compressor control)

Creates an aggressive "pumping" sound as the signal is sharply moved back and forth