The world of music and audio revolves around one thing – EQ. That is, the tonal balance of all sorts of different sounds and how they combine together.
So when you load up Logic and get to work, no doubt you turn to the trusty Channel EQ. Friend to Logic users everywhere!
But take a peek directly below the Channel EQ, and you’ll find something called the Linear EQ…
What’s going on with that thing?
It looks an awful lot like the Channel EQ. In fact, it almost looks identical. But obviously if Apple created a completely separate EQ plugin, it must be different…
Right?
It’s certainly not obvious, but the Channel EQ and Linear EQ are distinctly different from each other. While they both are EQs, they’re both used for specific purposes.
Which begs some questions:
- Why are there 2 separate EQs that look identical?
- What’s the difference between the 2 EQs?
- What’s the best application for each EQ?
I’ll give you a couple hints:
-
- One EQ is best for mixing
- And the other is best for mastering
Today’s video explains what makes both the Channel and Linear EQs so special. Plus, I share how High-Passing can actually hurt your tracks.
Wow, that’s a really deep dive into Logic. Thanks!
You bet Steve! Thanks so much 🙂
Wow, excellent vid on Linear EQ for maintaining phase relationships on multi-mic-ed instruments when high passing (quite a mouthful!). Esoteric and super-useful info that many would never know otherwise. Many thanks, and keep up the good work!
Charles
Thanks Chris. Would the phase shift problem upon using HPFs occur if you were using software drums, as opposed to real mic’d drums?
Hey Robin, I would say it depends. Logic’s Drummer/Drum Kit Designer can exhibit the same sort of phase shifting.
Select a Drummer like Kyle, and select one of the Producer Kits. Then do the following:
– Place the Correlation Meter on Drummer’s Main Track Stack Channel Strip
– Solo and hard pan the overheads to the left (make sure Stereo Panning is enabled by right-clicking the pan pot and selecting Stereo Pan)
– Solo and hard pan the snare to the right (also make Stereo Panning is enabled)
– Open the Channel EQ on the snare and start Hi-Passing
The result is that the snare will end up out of phase with the overheads.
Instruments like Drum Machine Designer, which has no bleed between the different tracks, should be free of phase problems.
Hope that helps!