Copied this info direct from the dance music manual by Rick Snowman, thought it might help as a reminder chart or a reference guide.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dance-Music-Manual-techniques/dp/0240519159
PIANOS:
50-100 Hz: Add weight to the sound.
100-250 Hz: Add roundness.
250-1000 Hz: Muddy frequencies.
1-6000 Hz Add presence.
6-8000 Hz Add clarity.
8-12000 Hz Reduce hiss.
ELECTRIC GUITARS:
100-250 Hz Add Body.
250-800 Hz Muddy frequencies but add roundness.
1-6000 Hz Allow it to cut through the mix.
6-8000 Hz Add clarity.
8-12000 Hz Reduce hiss.
ACOUSTIC GUITARS:
100-250 Hz Add body
6-8000 Hz Add clarity
8-12000 Hz Add brightness
SYNTH LEADS / STRINGS / PADS:
50-100 Hz Add bottom end weight.
100-250 Hz Add body.
250-800 Hz Muddy frequencies frequencies.
1-6000 Hz Enhance digital crunch.
6-8000 Hz Add clarity.
8-12000 Hz Add brightness
WIND INSTRUMENTS:
100-250 Hz Add body.
250-800 Hz Muddy frequencies.
800-1000 Hz Add roundness.
6-8000 Hz Add clarity.
8-12000 Hz Add brightness.
Nifty reference..... I would however check the note range of some instruments and adjust the "body" range accordingly, as each instrument is different, in playable range, and depends also the playable range for a particular song or set in a recording or live mixing senerio.
Synth keyboards.... Well that's another nightmare entirely...
For general reference this chart is a great start, thanks for sharing.
For most acoustic instruments I will keep the mid-lows and lows at least -4 dB or more to allow headroom for a smooth bass instrument, and not have too much mud of multiple instruments are gumming up with chords in that range. Another target to watch is the 1 khz to 3.5khz range, as another "clutter zone"...
Yeah no worries Jason thanks for adding, I'm not an expert by any means this is what I've got in the book & generaly refer to myself & though it will be useful as a general reference point. There's loads more info in the book. Is there a way to check the note range of each individual instrument you're using in a track? I assume you mean the frequency range per octave correct me if I'm wrong?
By instrument I mean the acoustic instrument itself.... But an instrument in a Caustic synth, you kind of have to eyeball it, what is the lowest note played or set in a pattern, and the highest note played or set in a pattern.... If the synth preset is well-balanced, it should be easy to EQ and balance in your track.
If it is a tone-generated synth i.e. SubSynth, FMSynth etc...., then there will be balance issues when playing higher notes (my synth keyboard "nightmare" for mixng)
The cool thing about Caustic is you can tack individual notes down for balance, and automation flexibility, to tame those TG synths and get a good mix for your track without a headache of a post-production job later.....
Ahhhhh but now I'm starting to derail your thread, sorry sir...
Not at all, feel free. Its all relevant, all good info dude, cheers.
One of these days I will get brave enough to make a CausticApp skin with detailed indicators and frequency markings on mixers, FX and such for large screen devices of course... But that, largely depends on some upcoming updates that have been hinted about some months back, but not quite manifested in progress quite yet.
What i find of benefit and i have purchase this and it rooted in ableton live if i remember the website info right. But its a $3.99 play store app. But idk it seems two have all this. Just the referencing for mixing is confusing for me.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.raaza.producer_tools
But for mics??? I just recently found this on the play store. Not bought it yet or downloaded
But i gotta re-edited this two show two more apps.
One is from the legendary micphones of neumann they have an app idk how helpful or intuitive it is.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.neumann.recordingt...
by georg neumann gmbh
But i also found a cool looking guitar app for chords
Scales, tuner, circle of fifths, transposer and ear training. Kinda similar two producer tools.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.smartchord.droid
This last app is by a "schüle martin" i hope i got his name right!! But it's not one app. It looks like its sub-divided in parts idk about this now checkin it out..... too much two download if u running "in error of space issues."
But i'll leave the decision making two u guys and please!!! Bounce back how these other apps r.... please???
Having a skin like that would be absolutely ideal Jason. What would be good (if possible) would be to have a frequency analyser in modular (like we have the oscilloscope) to run a pattern through to get to get a an accurate frequency reading on a specific pattern.
Derrtiblu I've installed the "producer tools" app I'll be having a look over the next few days, cheers.