The Scenario:

So, I'm first and foremost a songwriter, then a musician and NOT an engineer (but I'm learning). And that is typically how I have used Sonar (just to get my song ideas down and create VERY rough mixes).
But now that I have X2 (and a bit more time) I'm trying to really dig into the engineering side (i.e. Books, Tutorials, etc.).

I've just completed a quick video tuturial on EQ and Filters and now (that I know what to listen for) I'm looking to clean up a Vocal Track (to practice what I've learned). The Instructor spoke glowingly of the use of Parametric EQ's and now I want to try my hand.

The Question(s):

1. Given the above scenario (Total Noob) which EQ's are best for Vocals?
2. Which EQ(s) in Sonar X2 Producer is a Parametric EQ?

Hope this makes sense,
SLEEPER

You can get a lot of mileage out of the QuadCurve EQ in the ProChannel, it is not just for vocals though. You may find the video "X2 QuadCurve EQ" on this page http://www.cakewalk.com/C...ONARU.aspx/Get-Started useful.

Nearly all the EQs in Sonar are parametric.  

Thanks Guys

@skook: Diving into the Cake TV Training to understand the QuadCurve EQ.
@John: Thanks. I guess I will take a deeper dive into the manual to find the ones that are NOT parametric.


Thanks Again!
SLEEPER

A parametric EQ is one that allows you to control three parameters: the frequency to boost or cut, the amount to boost or cut, and the band width (Q) of the boost or cut. The band width means how the wide the area is that is affected by the boost or cut. The ProChannel EQ is parametric and should do almost anything you need.

Pick up the free http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/ add it to an FX Chain module in the track/bus Pro Channel *after the EQ* and you'll be able to see the effects of what you're EQing.
Very handy.

Also, the Sonitus:fx EQ is another one to play around with.
Holding down the shift key will lock in the freq & gain of that node and mouse-dragging side-to-side will adjust the Q.
Play around with the different filter types - low/high pass, low/high shelf, peak/dip.

Generally, to locate offending frequencies,  increase or decrease the gain all the way up/down & sweep back & forth till you hear the oddball frequency, then adjust the gain & Q.

SPAN will help you spot weird looking areas to check.

 

If you have the time, I'd try everything you've got on a vocal track, one after another. Human voices have tremendous variety, and different voices will benefit differently from different EQ tools and settings. Check out all the presets labeled for voice, try tweaking some of the parameters on the device, see if you can improve on them. I have a Pultec EQ emulator from UAD that has a weird concept, to my mind, but it's VERY effective in a lot of situations.

All that said, I really like Sonar's Prochannel EQ controls. Once you get close to what you want, mess with the Q ***a lot***, until you get the least change that gives you the result you want.

Best?  Maybe the RND hardware parametric EQ.

In SONAR?  ProChannel EQ is pretty darn good and should work on most things, including vox.  Get a handle on Filters, first.  Low and High Pass.  they, well, filter out the frequencies above/below the cut off point.  The main use for vocals would be clearing out the noise in the lower end of the spectrum.  Such noise eats up a lot of headroom and filtering it doesn't effect the voice.  Try it.  Raise the high pass cut off point until you hear an effect on the vocal and see how high you go.  PC has a slope control, too, which is nice.

@

sleeper


The Scenario:

So, I'm first and foremost a songwriter, then a musician and NOT an engineer (but I'm learning). And that is typically how I have used Sonar (just to get my song ideas down and create VERY rough mixes).
But now that I have X2 (and a bit more time) I'm trying to really dig into the engineering side (i.e. Books, Tutorials, etc.).

I've just completed a quick video tuturial on EQ and Filters and now (that I know what to listen for) I'm looking to clean up a Vocal Track (to practice what I've learned). The Instructor spoke glowingly of the use of Parametric EQ's and now I want to try my hand.

The Question(s):

1. Given the above scenario (Total Noob) which EQ's are best for Vocals?
2. Which EQ(s) in Sonar X2 Producer is a Parametric EQ?

Hope this makes sense,
SLEEPER

SONAR X2 Pro Channel G-Type great on vocals and are my favorite to go EQ.
If you ask producers and mixing engineers around the world 8-of 10 would probably say SSL G Channels is the best SSL sounding EQ.
 
 
SONAR Pro Channel G-Type is a mimic of SSL G-Channel EQ but with more flexible Q options in the filter zone then the original hardware found example on SSL Duality SE mixing board. The sound of PC-EQ are just awesome. The SONAR Pro Channel E-channel is good too and are a SSL-E series replica. On the hardware mixing console you can switch between G-Channel or E-Channel on each channel. E-Type EQ are more kind of ROCK Sound EQ and the G-Type are more POP sound of EQ. More open sound in the higher bands.
http://www.solidstatelogic.com/music/duality/
 

 
 

Hi, sorry for a question off topic, but :

Are you sure, that you recording- chain is  as good as possible
for your needs? I´m asking cause the better your recording chain is 
( with a good mics and  preamp) less you will need  
to edit it with compressor ,eq , aso. 

have fun 
Pragi