I finally tried using an equalizer and my head just exploded.
So I've been using LMMS for several years, mostly just for fun, and in the last year or so I've been posting tracks on the Music Projects board here and have been getting some great feedback (thanks guys!). Lately I've been thinking about turning music production into a career (because honestly, I could spend DAYS just puttering around in LMMS and be perfectly happy). So I've been trying to figure out how to make my tracks sound more professional, mostly by watching youtube videos and reading any article on the subject that I can get my hands on, and I've come to two solid conclusions.
A: If you've got even a rudimentary understanding of how music works, production isn't nearly as complicated as it might seem at first.
B: Understanding EQ and compression is pretty vital.
Ever since I started using LMMS (and/or trying to record music in general), I've always shied away from compressors and equalizers because I had no understanding of how they worked. They look really complicated and were, frankly, terrifying to me... but, I figured if I'm going to make a stab at turning this into a career I'd better give learning these things a decent shot. I started with compression a few weeks ago and honestly didn't see what the big deal was (I'm probably just using it wrong, but I couldn't see much of a difference... maybe it doesn't make as much of a difference in LMMS because most of the synths I use have really comprehensive envelope controls and there's no need for compression? I don't know.). Today, however, after watching a couple tutorial videos on how EQ works, I started to experiment with the LADSPA C* EQ (the first one on the list) on this one track I've been having trouble with and OH MY GOODNESS WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?? WHY DID I NOT DO THIS SOONER?? I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS PLUGIN, AND NOW EVERYTHING SOUNDS FANTASTIC!! (I am exaggerating only very slightly)
So yeah. Turns out EQs are also not nearly as difficult as they first seem, and if you're intimidated by them (like I was), don't worry! It's pretty easy to learn how to use them effectively, and if you're anything like me, the difference might just make your head explode.
So I've been using LMMS for several years, mostly just for fun, and in the last year or so I've been posting tracks on the Music Projects board here and have been getting some great feedback (thanks guys!). Lately I've been thinking about turning music production into a career (because honestly, I could spend DAYS just puttering around in LMMS and be perfectly happy). So I've been trying to figure out how to make my tracks sound more professional, mostly by watching youtube videos and reading any article on the subject that I can get my hands on, and I've come to two solid conclusions.
A: If you've got even a rudimentary understanding of how music works, production isn't nearly as complicated as it might seem at first.
B: Understanding EQ and compression is pretty vital.
Ever since I started using LMMS (and/or trying to record music in general), I've always shied away from compressors and equalizers because I had no understanding of how they worked. They look really complicated and were, frankly, terrifying to me... but, I figured if I'm going to make a stab at turning this into a career I'd better give learning these things a decent shot. I started with compression a few weeks ago and honestly didn't see what the big deal was (I'm probably just using it wrong, but I couldn't see much of a difference... maybe it doesn't make as much of a difference in LMMS because most of the synths I use have really comprehensive envelope controls and there's no need for compression? I don't know.). Today, however, after watching a couple tutorial videos on how EQ works, I started to experiment with the LADSPA C* EQ (the first one on the list) on this one track I've been having trouble with and OH MY GOODNESS WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?? WHY DID I NOT DO THIS SOONER?? I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS PLUGIN, AND NOW EVERYTHING SOUNDS FANTASTIC!! (I am exaggerating only very slightly)
So yeah. Turns out EQs are also not nearly as difficult as they first seem, and if you're intimidated by them (like I was), don't worry! It's pretty easy to learn how to use them effectively, and if you're anything like me, the difference might just make your head explode.