CHaPTer8 I. Introduction Equalization Techniques Interaction Mastering is the art of compromise. It is the art of knowing what is sonically possible, and then making informed decisions about what is most important for the music. The first principle of mastering is this: * Every' action affects i everything else. This I "Mastering is the principle means *% £ , f. . . . 1 art of compromise that we cannot just J import practices V from elsewhere into the mastering room. Equalization practice is an especially clear case of where a technique used in mastering is crucially different from an apparently similar technique used in mixing. For example, when mastering, adjusting the low bass of a stereo mix will affect the perception of the extreme highs. Similarly, if a snare drum sounds dull but the vocal sounds good, then nine times out of ten, the voice will suffer when you try to equalize for the snare.1 These problems occur even between elements in the same frequency range: when you work on the bass drum, for example, the bass guitar will more than likely be affected, sometimes for the better, sometimes worse. If the bass drum needs EQ but the bass instrument is correct, it may be possible with careful, selective equalization to "get under the bass" at the fundamental of the drum, somewhere under 60 Ilz. but just as often a bass drum exhibits problems in its harmonies, which overlap with the range of the bass instrument. A resonance problem in the bass instrument may be counteracted by 99 dipping around 80. 90,100 Hi ... but this can easily affect the low end of the vocal or the piano or the guitar. Sometimes we can't tell if a problem can be fixed until we try, Wc should never promise a client miracles—that way they're delirious when wre can deliver them! II. What is a Good Tonal Balance? Perhaps the prime reason clients come to us is to verify and ohtain an accurate tonal balance. The output of the major mastering studios is remarkahly consistent, pointing to their very accurate monitoring. While it is possible to help certain individual instruments, most of the time our goal is to produce a good spectral balance. But exactly what is a "good" tonal balance? The ear fancies the tonality of a symphony orchestra. On a spectrum analyser, the symphony always shows a gradual high frequency rolloff. and so will most good pop music masters. The amount of this rolloff varies considerably depending on the musical style and even the moment in the music, so mastering engineers rarely" use the spectrum analyser display to make EQ judgments. "Practice IS the best | Everything I starts with the OJ all instructions > midrange.Ifthe - Chinese Fortune Cooki k mid-frequency J range is lacking in a rock recording, it's just like leaving the violas or the woodwinds out of the symphony. The fundamentals of the vocal, guitar, piano and other instruments must be ■ U'e don't u fie tte spe ctni m a n a ] yee r to j u not amomalicallY cL]LJa]iy.c;we always listen and evaluate first. VI any pÍĽĽe s leave rn a s IX H rj g w L l i l jj u e l^naliľ.a l i u n ai bil I. Chapter 8 106 IV. Other refinements Linear-phase Equalizers All current analog equalizer designs and nearly all current digital equalizers produce phase shift when boosted or cut; that is, signal delay varies with frequency and the length of the delay changes with the amount of boost or cut. Hi-Q filters produce the most, phase shift. This kind of filter will always alter the musical timing and wave shape, also known as phase distortion. Daniel Weiss sayrs, [In contrast] a particular type of digital filter, called the Symmetric FIR Filter, is inherently linear-phase.7This means that the delay induced by processing is constant across the whole spectrum, unconstrained by eq settings." Since FIR filters are expensive to implement in real time, linear-phase equalizers have only recently appeared. Ratber than FIR filters, the Weiss uses a complementary IIR technique to obtain linear-phase. This technique seems to avoid one of the downsides of the FIR approach, which can produce weird results at certain frequencies unless they use extreme computing power (MIPS). John Watkinson believes that much of the audible difference between EQs comes down to the phase response.1 J don't think engineers have a good handle on the sonic deteriorations of phase shift in equalizers; after my first linear-phase experience, it was hard to go back. To my ears, the linear-phase sounds more analog-like than even analog! The Weiss has a very pure tone and seems to boost and cut frequencies without introducing obvious artifacts. Ironically, while mastering a punk rock recording, it proved too sweet in linear-phase mode so I had to return to normal mode to give the sound some grunge. So clearly much of the qualities we've grown accustomed to in standard equalizers must he due to their phase shift. Most times I choose linear-phase mode. But both filter designs have their Achilles' heels. Whenever you have to equalize, you will alter the signal in both the time and frequency domains (as mathematics requires); there will always be a time artifact. In the analog style equalizer, which is usually mathematically termed minimum-phase, the alteration will be primarily to spread the signal downstream, i.e. does not lead the original signal by much, if any. A downstream modification translates into different delays at different frequencies dispersing the original signal. In some cases this effect is quite audible. If one uses a digital approach, one can either mimic the analog behavior, or use a linear-phase, aka constant delay filter. This f i Ite r vi 11 equally precede and follow the signal; part of the filter may create a pre-echo effect, modifying the • Described by Daniel Weiss at the Weiss website, http://wwv-.weiss.ch. t Studio Sound Magazine. 9/97. 107 Equalization leading edge of transients and signal changes. A high fJ linear-phase filter can introduce audible pre-echo in the short millisecond range; it's exactly like a floor bounce but without the comb-filtering. Any time that a high Q filter is used, careful listening with both types of equalization may be necessary to decide wlich choice is best.8 Neither approach is fundamentally better. The minimum phase (analog-style) equalizer tends to smear the depth and imaging, and occasionally that artificial smearing produces a pleasantly vague image. The linear phase equalizer can subtly deteriorate transient response. It might be a good idea for manufacturers to allow us to select filter types per band; I might choose minimum-phase for a steep high pass, and linear phase for a gentle presence boost. Dynamic Equalization Multiband dynamics processing can also lie treated as dynamic equalization, where the time constants or thresholds have little effect on the actual dynamics but rather more on the tonal balance at different amplitudes. Dynamic equalizers emphasize or cut low, mid or high frequencies selectively at either low levels or at high levels. These can be used as no Use or hiss gates, rumble filters that only work at low levels (especially useful for traffic control in a delicate classical piece), sibilance controllers, or ambience enhancers. They can enhance inner details oi'bigh or low frequencies at low levels, where details are often lost. They can be used to reduce harshness, enhance clarity at high levels orfor other purposes, as described in detail in Chapter to. j We're always seeking techniques (beyond simple equalisation) to isolate one instrument from another, and it is possible to greatly improve the impact and clarity of the snare and other peronssi r.n instruments without changing the tonality ofthc vocal, usingupward expansion with just the right attack and release times. It's frequently possible t'J enhance or punch a bass drum without sign if ica mlv affecting the bass instrument, by limine; selective-frequency dynamics processing. And so on. See Chapters 10-11, 2 We a J1 heltevc we have " t he absolute satin d " i n our h eads, b u t a re surpri sed t o learn how much tonal variance is tolerable as the ear/brain accomodates. Similarly. Ihe eye accustoms itself to varying color temperatures, w'rtieh only raEE attention to themselves when theychange. A good photographer can usually identify Ektach rume from Koda chrome, but hath look good on their iv.'. n. ami tkei]- color difference primarily shows up when you place two slides .side by side. 3 Technically, sibilance can wreak havnrwith the high frequency Umiters in FM radio winch arc there lo handle a pre emphasis boost. An over sibilant vocal can cause the radio I imiters to cla rup dow n and I osc de fi niti o n, i ti est reme, the sound will bounce and words will he lost at the rate of the radio limiter's recovery time. Thu^. overly bright records can sound dull on the air, brifrhtr.ess is self-defcatingwhen it comes to radiu processing. 4 In 10.07, veung George Masscnburgbeeun the search for a circuit which would be able lo independently adjust an equalizer's gain, bandwidth and frequency The keywerd is iradependertt, for most analog circuits fail in this regard and the frequency. Q, and gain controls interact with each otheT. recalled '.his circuit a parametric equalizer and his circuit remains proprietary today 5 Moving coil cartridges sometimes have a dip in the S kHz rangeartd a risefrom to to 20 kff*, which gives them asujpet wund. a mono ling to a tone cantrol in the reproduction System. I prefer my reproduction system to be neutral and to correct problems in the program [Material itself. Bui since a tot of older program material was equalized on lower resolution mo tutor systems, it makes sense to have a lone control in your home playback system. 6 This is dictated by the psychoacoustic eqirjiHoudires^ curves, first researched hy Fletcher, Harvey and Munsoninthe i^3o's. 7 HRstands for Finite Inpulsc Response, and UKfor Infinite Impulse Response. Readers interested in a detailed theoretical explanation of the difference herwe en rift and J J R f 1 Iters s hold d i n vr.s t a lit t! e time in Job n Wat kinso n' 5 Tlie A rt of D igi lal Audio, b ]im]ohnston. in correspondence. Chapters 108