A little bit of boosting with EQ to improve the sound you are sampling is a good idea. I'd only do some radical cutting of frequencies if I was 100% sure I wanted my sample like that, because if you take to much out you cannot add it again, unless you re-do that sample.
I guess it also depends if you have the 8 outs & a decent mixer to separate & EQ your MPC sounds. If you don't, then a bit of EQing at the sampling stage would be useful.
By lo-fi
Tue Dec 28, 2004 1:30 pm
I try to keep EQ-ing to a minimum, especially 'on the way in', because you need to hear the sounds in the context of the mix to know what you need to EQ. And worse, you can't undo any of the EQ-ing you do on the way in.
The natural moment to EQ is during mixdown, but then you either need the 8 outs and a good mixing desk, or track your beats in a DAW and EQ in there (or on the way back out of the DAW on a good desk). The EQs on budget desks can often do your sound more harm than good, especially while boosting. I never boost more than about 2 o' clock (about +5db) on my Mackie. Sometimes when I need to do more radical stuff I use my Sherman Filterbank to EQ sounds.
The only time I EQ on the way in, is when I'm positive it needs to be done anyway, such as when filtering out the rumble behind a hihat sample. Even then, I try not to EQ all the way, because in the end you might find that bit of rumble adds character, and you can't add it after you've taken it out. I just use EQ on my Ecler HAK 320 on the way in, but 90% of the time I don't use it at all.
If you're looking for a good outboard EQ (without spending silly money on an Oram, GML or Avalon), you might want to look at the TL Audio Ivory 5013. I'ts a tube EQ, so it could add a little extra something to your sound even when you're not using the EQ. If you're looking for a good solid state EQ, try to find a s/h TC Electronic 2240 (also available in mono as the 1140).
Hold on - I just looked at your setup again, and if I were in your position, I'd prefer to spend the money on getting the 8 outs and maybe upgrading the mixer to something like a Mackie, Spirit or A&H (perhaps at a later date). You will have WAY more flexibility and you will be able to mix and EQ MUCH better because you can do it when you hear the sounds in the context of the whole mix. The EQ on a budget desk can't compare to the TLAudio I mentioned, but having one on every channel, and being able to use them at the right time in the production process will make all the difference.
The natural moment to EQ is during mixdown, but then you either need the 8 outs and a good mixing desk, or track your beats in a DAW and EQ in there (or on the way back out of the DAW on a good desk). The EQs on budget desks can often do your sound more harm than good, especially while boosting. I never boost more than about 2 o' clock (about +5db) on my Mackie. Sometimes when I need to do more radical stuff I use my Sherman Filterbank to EQ sounds.
The only time I EQ on the way in, is when I'm positive it needs to be done anyway, such as when filtering out the rumble behind a hihat sample. Even then, I try not to EQ all the way, because in the end you might find that bit of rumble adds character, and you can't add it after you've taken it out. I just use EQ on my Ecler HAK 320 on the way in, but 90% of the time I don't use it at all.
If you're looking for a good outboard EQ (without spending silly money on an Oram, GML or Avalon), you might want to look at the TL Audio Ivory 5013. I'ts a tube EQ, so it could add a little extra something to your sound even when you're not using the EQ. If you're looking for a good solid state EQ, try to find a s/h TC Electronic 2240 (also available in mono as the 1140).
Hold on - I just looked at your setup again, and if I were in your position, I'd prefer to spend the money on getting the 8 outs and maybe upgrading the mixer to something like a Mackie, Spirit or A&H (perhaps at a later date). You will have WAY more flexibility and you will be able to mix and EQ MUCH better because you can do it when you hear the sounds in the context of the whole mix. The EQ on a budget desk can't compare to the TLAudio I mentioned, but having one on every channel, and being able to use them at the right time in the production process will make all the difference.