EQ Upper Voicings

[dawman]

I'm using a combination of parametric, and 4 band shelving equalization to try to bring out the upper voicings of 4 and five voice chords w/ minimal luck. I only want to boost the top voices which are within the octave and a half above middle C, and usually the notch can cover this, but I find that the standard EQ's I use discolor the lower voicings, which is not my intended effect. Any suggestions on a serious surgical EQ ? Are Ison, and Spectrum advanced enough for this.

BTW, this is only for FAT synth pads, as I can use my dexterity on samples to achieve this. These are the type of pads where I don't want any velocity sensitivity, but good old cut and boost.

Thanks In Advance,

[alfonso]

He...the problem is that upper voices on a chord might be lower ones in a higher chord...eq's work for fixed ranges and have a timbral action unrelated with moving voicings, unless you don't follow each chord with some eq on the fundamental frequencies that you need to boost.

If the recording is MIDI and not Audio you can alter the velocity values and set an higher velocity response, a lomg task but the only one possible to change relative levels on a moving chord sequence...

Well, without lknowing so much the stuff I can only be very generic.

[dawman]

Thanks Brotha' Man Alfonso,
I actually have a preset that does this really well on ProWave V1. But the velocity controls the envelopes, and therefore the timbre change, and attack occur simultaneously. I called it Dynamic Aftertouch.

I can control the moving voice dilemma w/ a controller from the Pro 88. I would take a notch and give it a relative value per preset, so it could work in a sense, but I could cheese out and render the highest voice to audio in Cubase 4. But I don't want to be a slave anymore to a sequencer during my performances. Just a quality surgical parametric EQ, targeted per song to an area where I can use some creative voice leading. I use to do this live on my ARP String for that sustaining hook line note, i.e. Dream Weaver, Gino Vanelli, etc. I would use my ancient Langevin that I used when we recorded, I drove producers and engineers nuts by insisting my use of it. Only because I knew it so well. I would take a bass guitar pick and stick it between the keys of the sustaining note, then play chord voicings to get a more polished sound.


More Has Been Done With Less,

[wolf]

Hey Jimmy,

since you have the MidiToolBox now, you could use the transformer module to convert incoming midi notes to midi controllers and eventually control the frequency of the eq with these controller values.
This way the eq's frequency would always follow the pitch, you play.

best
Wolfgang

[LHong]

Hi Jimmy,
I would try an 16/32-Band Graphic Equalizer instead of Parametric EQ!

One way is try to split the keyboard into 2 (program) parts from Midle C, for example. Some of keyboards can let you assign the splitting program-sound and outputs individually?
Other way is using two controller keyboards for left and right hands (playing); each controller has own sound and EQ.

LongStudios

[dawman]

Brotha' Man Wolf,
That is exactly what needs to be done. It's really hard to imagine that I did this in an analog way years ago, and that there is no digital analogy 4 this today.
BTW I am still trying to update via your link to wordless, and it bounces me out.
I am trying to find the passive mode you spoke of to recieve my upgrade. Any suggestions for my new attempts today?


I Can't Wait To Get To Work On This w/ your awesome MIDI Tool Box, First I shall change the horrid names of some devices I use. i.e. MINIMAX !!! Fuck that,...I shall call it Mini Moog 8, as I use 8 voices on that FAT BASTARD.


Thanks To LHong, and Wolf for their suggestions and help.

MIDI Tool Box it is then.

[wolf]

Hi Jimmy,

I just sent you the MTB pack & some suggestions via mail.

.. and to prevent a possible misunderstanding: of course you can't change the names of other devices (like Minimax) with MTB, just the ones included with MTB. This would need another "hack". But perhaps I misunderstood you ?

Thanks,
Wolfgang

[dawman]

Scool Bro,
Thanks 4 the reply, and your tip on the voicings was awesome. I will let you know how it goes.
You could have easily told me to buy another one of your devices that I already want anyhow, but rather honestly advised me on a device I had already purchased. If the rest of the world would do business like the 3rd party developers I have come to know here @ da Z, the world could probably save itself from the big game to come.

Thanks Guys,

JV

[hubird]

after all this indeep quality advice I hardly dare to suggest this: try the PsyQ (or any psycho-acoustic enhancer).
It keeps the intended relations between the harmonics yet adds clarity in the different composing elements, specially the highs
works better anyway compared to simple eq-ing I guess