Gain control after significant use of eq (vox)

[mattler]

Hope this is the proper category for this thread...

I just managed to get my poorly recorded vocal track sounding a little more 'money' with significant use of EQ. In the process, I've lost about 12 db when you compare the output to the input. I'm wondering if there are any drawbacks/faux pas in using about 10-15db of makeup gain on the EQ itself in order to bring the gain back up. Will this add distortion/artifacts to the tracK? Or is this something better left for higher quality mastering gear. It sounds ok to my ears, but those are just my ears.

I'm using the Sonalksis SV-517 (in Cubase SX 3, on an XP system)... thanks!

Awesome forum btw!

[Bigduggieface]

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

You didn't mention your microphone / preamplifier specs, but a general rule of thumb is to record your source properly so that one does not need to apply ANY EQ whatsoever.

3-4 db of gain difference due to equalization may be average. It's good to see that you're cutting eq rather than boosting.

A loss of 12 db is suspicious to me. Without hearing your material, I'd suspect that your eq settings may be a bit extreme. Natural sources (such as voices, and acoustic instruments) generally are reproduced more naturally when using conservative eq and compressor manipulation.

The Sonalksis SV-517 is a great eq. But its interface makes it easy to overuse. The linear graphic interface is not intuitive. Make sure that any cursor changes you make to the eq curve are very subtle. Even a slight movement of the graph can be a 4 or 8 db change in frequency gain.

Due to the wonder of digital recording technology, your loss of 12 db is not a serious detriment. We should strive towards getting good digital signal levels, but a 12 db loss, since you are in the digital realm, will not constitute an appreciable increase in noise or distortion.

The only worry would be the 12 db gain reduction due to your eq choice. I think your settings may be too heavy-handed, but I can't tell without hearing the material.

[.tom]

Originally Posted by mattler

Hope this is the proper category for this thread...

I just managed to get my poorly recorded vocal track sounding a little more 'money' with significant use of EQ. In the process, I've lost about 12 db when you compare the output to the input. I'm wondering if there are any drawbacks/faux pas in using about 10-15db of makeup gain on the EQ itself in order to bring the gain back up. Will this add distortion/artifacts to the tracK? Or is this something better left for higher quality mastering gear. It sounds ok to my ears, but those are just my ears.

I'm using the Sonalksis SV-517 (in Cubase SX 3, on an XP system)... thanks!

Awesome forum btw!

most common way is to insert a compressor, level it a bit and use your makeup gain there to get it back up.

[garageband]

I'm wondering if there are any drawbacks/faux pas in using about 10-15db of makeup gain

In a more absolute sense, as long as you are at 24 bit, no. 12dB is a lot, as mentioned. It does bear examination as to how things got so turned around.