Sound Effects For Your Use In Music Production

To Produce or create a different range of sound effects for use with your music prodiction I will begin by explaining the different types of controls that are in most commonly used in filters and EQ effects

Cutoff frequency/Cutoff point:
The designated frequency of a filter after which the sound is not allowed to pass. In a high-pass filter, a high cutoff frequency will be excessively trebly and bright, as no low frequencies will be present. In a low-pass filter, a low cutoff frequency may be too muted and dark, as no high frequencies or overtones will be present

Attenuation

This will reduce or silence the desired frequency

Bandwidth/Q/Resonance/Emphasis/Peak

Bandwidth/Q/Resonance/Emphasis/Peak. The filter effects the range of frequencies on the desired side of the cutoff point and measured in Hertz, so it relates to frequency. Although if it was measured in octaves It would be more efficient

The usage of the terms 'bandwidth' and 'Q' are most commonly used to relate to recording purposes. 'Bandwidth' is the most useful, because it tells you about the overall sound control. Q is short for 'Quality' or, 'figure of Quality'

Resonance increases the frequencies around the cutoff point and is regularly used in synthesis. It is also used to put the filter into self-oscillation, which is not usually done with a recording.

To control the sound effect, you need to learn about the different EQ types. Here are the EQ types you will encounter.

The 5 different EQ types are:

Fixed EQ. This is usually a single control Like Bass or Treble. Mixers Could have Low (bass) and High (treble) EQ controls. The cutoff frequency here is fixed and you control the amount of cut or boost.

Graphic EQ. The frequency ranges are fixed divided into a series of bands to make cut and boost individually. Each row of sliders control a specific frequency band. They are common on hi fi systems. It also stands alone studio devices and can be found in software. Nevertheless, you can technically divide the spectrum into any number of bands, typical divisions on hardware units are 15 and 31 covering two-thirds and one-third of an octave ranges respectively.

Parametric EQ. With parametric EQ you change the frequency of the bands. It has typically three or four bands, each with three controls - cutoff frequency, bandwidth and level, allowing you to use specific frequencies within a very tight range.

Paragraphic EQ. This is a kind of super-parametic EQ. It blurs the line between graphic and parametric. It offers several bands like a graphic, but with user-definable frequency bands like a parametric; However, as this can become quite complex, they also tend to have highly-graphic interfaces to watch exactly what frequencies are being affected.

Sweeping/Semi-parametric EQ. This is the middle between a fixed EQ and a full parametric EQ - while the bandwidth is fixed, you can control the centre frequency (the cutoff point). It's common to many mixers. Normally, you can find fixed Low and High EQ with a sweepable mid range control.

By: Mr3m4n