Sidechain EQ?

[Alistair S]

Anyone know any good, preferably cheap/free sidechain EQs? Or is there one already built in?

Actually, I may be going up the wong path here, so let me backtrack a little.

Say you have a simple song with a voice and an acoustic guitar.

I have noticed on a reference track I have been using that, when singing, the guitar tone/colour changes to give up more of centre stage to the vocal. I think it is more than ducking the volume - it's more a "flattening", taking out some of the highs/harmonics.

I could, of course, carve up the whole guitar track into two and EQ one of them. However, it struck me that a sidechain EQ might give me a shortcut (if such a thing exists!).

Also, maybe there is a better way to do this....

Any advice appreciated, as always. There is just so much to learn for us newbies

[Alistair S]

Hmm.. funny how writing these things out kick-starts the brain.

On thinking about it, sidechaining would probably bring about some odd results (you wouldn't want to switch in every short pause) - it's probably easier to use an envelope to switch the EQ on and off.

Unless anyone has any hot tips

[Bevoss]

Are you sure it's not overall compression doing that? Hard to tell without hearing it. Btw I've never heard of sidechain EQ, although that doesn't mean it can't be done.

[Diogenes]

Perhaps what you are hearing is very subtle ducking using side-chain compression? Letting the vocal push the guitar back a little during a louder chorus for example...

D

[Alistair S]

Could be. Of course, it could be all in the fingers

I am experimenting (it's how I learn) so please forgive my dumb questions

[Diogenes]

I am experimenting (it's how I learn)

Dumb question? No way... that's how I learn too!

D