Audio Design Q-TWO Technical Information download pdf (Page 17)

Techniques

Independent channel equalization is very useful when dealing with stereo audio containing unbalanced frequency content over the

stereo field. Let's say you want to combine a stereo drum recording with a stereo accoustic guitar recording. The drum recording

contains more low-mid frequencies in the left channel (for example a low tom-tom), and more high frequencies in the right channel

(like cymbals or a hi-hat). The guitar sound, recorded with a mic capturing the sound-board/hole panned left and one capturing the

fretboard/neck panned right, might have similar frequencies as the drum recording, making it hard to combine them in a balanced

way. By using independent left/right channel EQ-ing, it is possible to balance these elements so that they do not fight each other.

Instead of EQ-ing the whole stereo track of the drums and guitars one can simply EQ where it is necessary to get the two elements

to complement each other.

Mid/Side EQ is perhaps most commonly used to bring some stereo elements further up within a recording, either by cutting certain

frequencies in the mid channel or by boosting the wanted frequency range in the side channel. It is great for adding a bit of depth

to typical hard panned rock/heavy guitar recordings where you boost the "bite" frequency range of the guitars (around 2-4kHz) with

a quite narrow eq. Combine this with cutting some of the "mud" away from the side channels will give the illusion of huge guitars

that still sit well within a mix.

Independet Mid/Side equalization is also often used during mastering. For example, raising high frequencies in the Side channel can

freshen up the sound, while a low-cut filter in the Mid channel can work very well to clear up the low end.

Consider using linear-phase processing when filtering both stereo channels (either in Left/Right or Mid/Side mode) differently to

avoid introducing unwanted phase changes.

Mono operation

FabFilter Pro-Q 2 can also work as a mono equalizer plug-in, but in this case the stereo options and the Channel Mode parameter

are not available, of course.

When loading 'stereo' presets (containing EQ bands that work on e.g. the left or right channel) in the mono version of Pro-Q 2, all

EQ bands are treated as if they work on the mono channel. You should be aware that this can sometimes yield unexpected results.

For example, if a stereo preset contains two bands working on the left and right channels respectively, at the same frequency, with

gain=+10 dB, this will result in a +20 dB peak in the mono version. Therefore it is best not to use any presets that use per-

channel processing in the mono version of Pro-Q 2.

Next: Processing mode

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Audio Design Q-TWO Technical Information Page 17