Why does an Equalizer adds Gain?

Discussion in 'Mixing and Mastering' started by SpectricsMusic, Jun 3, 2013.

  1. SpectricsMusic

    SpectricsMusic Newbie

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    I sadly discovered another problem, where I can't find any solution here or elsewhere in the internet.
    The problem is that every EQ I use adds gain, even if I cut frequencies. Am I doing anything wrong or can
    someone atleast tell me why this happens? I mean it adds +3dB, which is pretty much in my opinion, while I
    cutted out the sub and the frequencies where the snare hits.

    You can see it on the images below.
    Here without the EQ no fx.JPG
    Here with the EQ fx.JPG
     
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  3. lukepeters

    lukepeters Newbie

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    the only difference i see in the 2 pics is that on the one you have the spectral analyser on (setting at the bottom of pro-q). Either that or you have some other setting turned on that's adding 3db.
     
  4. SpectricsMusic

    SpectricsMusic Newbie

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    No I turned on the equalizerin the second pic, which added gain even if i only cutted frequencies out.
    Thats why I dont get it. Look at the dB bar on the left side.
     
  5. Catnaps

    Catnaps Newbie

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    Why does an Equalizer adds Gain? Surely it's not the EQ. Double check your work mate. You can always lower the gain -3db. :wink:
     
  6. elucidation

    elucidation Newbie

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    Edit: Does it sound like it's adding gain? It seems very strange for that to be occurring. Which version of FL Studio are you using? If it's one of the '11' new ones, it could be a glitch/bug. They've been releasing fixes for it quite frequently lately.
     
  7. fuad

    fuad Producer

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    Yeah you need to go back check all of your plugins and processors to see what's adding the gain. I use that same EQ all the time without any problems and it does not add any gain at all. Check if your compressor has auto makeup gain on as well that might be causing the spike. Try starting a fresh project and check it that was and see if the plugin is still adding gain then it just may be a glitch in the plugin or in the way FL studio is handling the plugin
     
  8. SpectricsMusic

    SpectricsMusic Newbie

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    I checked everything and even tried to make a new project with other sounds but it still adds gain. It doesnt seem to add gain, because its not getting louder but its still shitty because with a limiter the sound gets fcked up. Besides that it is not good for the final product/mastering etc. because the sound gets too quiet if i turn it down or too "loud" if I keep it in the level where I want it.
     
  9. emax2

    emax2 Kapellmeister

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    It must be Fruity Loops Studio being fruity
     
  10. muaB

    muaB Producer

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    I think thats just normal EQ/ filter behaviour, remember, the curves you see are not an ´exact` representation of whats going on
    there is an algorithm working behind it with mathematical stuff i know nothing about ;)

    Assumption: The steeper the curves, the more emphasis is on the edge -and there is still a bit coming through, and I don´t mean resonance or q.


    WOOOOMMM a rhyyymee!!!!! :)
     
  11. Mykal

    Mykal AudioP2P

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    Good question??

    But I have a few myself??

    Is Pro - Q the only E.Q. that does this?? Have you tried others?? Have you tried duplicating your problem in a different DAW with the same plugs.
    Did you read and try the things that were posted before you read my post, Did you even bother to read the manual to see how the particular E.Q. "Colors" The signal path??

    I know that these are very basic shit questions, but when trouble shooting, they are so need to know :wink:
     
  12. phenomboy

    phenomboy Producer

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    :rofl:
     
  13. junh1024

    junh1024 Rock Star

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    "Why does an EQ, even when you do a cut, make the signal peak higher than the dry signal?"

    Is that the question you are trying to ask?

    If so, I think I can answer this one.

    Thing is, your EQ is probably non linear phase/IIR (mode) so that when you change the EQ, the phases or individual frequencies are shifted so that they no longer line up like before, peak/trough differently, and may cause the signal to rise (significantly) higher than dry.

    To avoid this happening, you can try using a linear phase/FIR EQ/mode. NB: uses more CPU. Read up on linear phase EQs and when to use them.
     
  14. happyshoppa22

    happyshoppa22 Newbie

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    How can I explain this in simplest terms...

    If you looked at the waveform of your sub-bass on its own you'd see it goes up and down, slowly.

    All the other frequencies are affected by that movement, and bits of them were getting cancelled out and made quieter becuase they were trying to move in the opposite direction of the sub. When the sub is removed, all that gets changed, certain spikes are no longer getting cancelled out so they can become louder.
     
  15. hoodhendrix

    hoodhendrix Member

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    :wink: :rofl: :rofl:
     
  16. The-RoBoT

    The-RoBoT Rock Star

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    The clue is in your supplied pictures​

    :wow:
     
  17. Baxter

    Baxter Audiosexual

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    ^This man speaks the truth, and said everything I was gonna say. Use a linear phase EQ instead, or lower the volume pre EQ.

    http://theproaudiofiles.com/linear-phase-vs-minimum-phase-eq/
     
  18. virusg

    virusg Rock Star

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    use 112b eq :wink:
     
  19. SpectricsMusic

    SpectricsMusic Newbie

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    Thank you very much for all the replies. Now I know that this problem
    can be solved when switching to Linear Phase mode. But it still can be
    fruity loops being fruity because it doesn't seem to appear in Ableton live 9.
    Someone knows the difference between zero latency and linear phase mode ?
     
  20. medrad

    medrad Newbie

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    Hi,
    You can try this vst analyser,
    http://www.savioursofsoul.de/Christian/programs/measurement-programs/

    you can see if your plugin add gain or not by analyzing its frequency responce.
     
  21. pimpdrop

    pimpdrop Ultrasonic

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    This guys got it right! See link to Fabfilter video below.


    medrad, you must have seen this video to suggest the same VST anaylzer. Why not just share the video? :bow:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efKabAQQsPQ&feature=share&list=UUxihtGe18Br6U8RuYCt-hDw
     
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