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The term scoop in the context of acoustic-electric guitars refers to reducing or cutting the mid-range frequencies, typically around 800 Hz, to create a scooped sound. This technique is often associated with metal and thrash music, aiming for a meaner and thicker sound. On the other hand, a notch refers to a very narrow band of frequencies that are cut by an equalizer, and notch filters are used to suppress feedback and remove unwanted noise. While both techniques involve frequency manipulation, they target different frequency ranges and serve distinct purposes.
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What You'll Learn
- Notch filters are used to suppress feedback in monitor or PA systems
- They are also used to remove specific types of hum and noise in recordings
- Scooping mids involves substantially reducing a guitar's response in the 800Hz region
- Scooping mids makes more space for vocals in a mix
- Boosting mids, scooping mids, and cranking gain can knock up the gain that goes to the amp
Notch filters are used to suppress feedback in monitor or PA systems
The term "notch" is used to describe a very narrow band of frequencies that are cut by an equalizer. When an EQ circuit has a very high Q (narrow bandwidth), it is sometimes referred to as a notch filter. Notch filters are commonly used to suppress feedback in monitor or PA systems and can also be used to remove specific types of hum and noise in recordings.
In the context of guitars, particularly electric guitars, the term "scooped mids" refers to substantially reducing the guitar's response in the 800 Hz region on an EQ curve from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This technique is often used to make more space for vocals in a mix and was popular in metal and thrash music. Scooping the mids creates a meaner and thicker sound in the low end, providing a unique and aggressive tone.
It's important to note that while scooping the mids can be effective in certain contexts, it significantly alters the guitar's tone. As such, it should be used judiciously to avoid overdoing it. Additionally, there are other ways to modify the mids, such as using an EQ pedal or similar device, which provides more precise control over the midrange sculpting.
Notch filters, with their ability to target and cut very narrow frequency bands, are a valuable tool in suppressing feedback in monitor or PA systems. By identifying and attenuating specific frequencies that are causing feedback, notch filters help maintain the clarity and integrity of the audio signal. This is particularly useful in live sound reinforcement, where feedback can be a significant issue.
In summary, while the term "notch" specifically refers to a narrow band of frequencies cut by an equalizer, and "scooped mids" refers to a specific application of EQing in guitars, both techniques involve manipulating frequencies to achieve a desired sound and address issues like feedback and noise.
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They are also used to remove specific types of hum and noise in recordings
The term "notch" in audio engineering refers to a very narrow band of frequencies that are cut by an equalizer. Notch filters are commonly used to suppress feedback in monitor or PA systems and are sometimes also used to remove specific types of hum and noise in recordings.
When an EQ circuit has a very high Q (narrow bandwidth), it is referred to as a notch filter. By cutting a very narrow band of frequencies, notch filters can effectively target and eliminate unwanted sounds without affecting the overall tone. This makes them particularly useful for removing hum and noise from recordings.
In the context of guitar tone shaping, "scooped mids" refers to substantially reducing the guitar's response in the 800Hz region of the frequency spectrum. This creates a characteristic smile curve or stoner vee shape on a graphic EQ, with strong lows and highs and a dip in the midrange.
The scooped mids technique was particularly popular in the 80s and 90s, and it is often associated with the metal and thrash genres. By reducing the midrange frequencies, the guitar's sound becomes less muddy and makes more space for vocals in the mix. However, overdoing the scooped mids can lead to a thin and unnatural tone.
While notch filters and scooped mids are different concepts, they both involve manipulating the midrange frequencies. Notch filters are more precise and targeted, while scooped mids refer to a broader reduction in the midrange. In some cases, a combination of both techniques may be used to achieve the desired sound.
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Scooping mids involves substantially reducing a guitar's response in the 800Hz region
Scooping mids is a technique that involves reducing the midrange frequencies on a guitar, typically in the 800Hz region. This creates a ""smile curve"" on a graphic EQ, with the result resembling a grin. This effect was particularly popular in the ''80s and ''90s, with the strong lows, hyped highs, and scooped mids providing a distinctive sound that grabbed attention.
To achieve this effect, guitarists would turn down the midrange knob on their amp, resulting in a reduction of frequencies in the 800Hz region. This technique is also known as a ""notch filter"", as it involves cutting a very narrow band of frequencies. By reducing the response in this frequency range, the guitar's sound is altered, creating a meaner and thicker sound in the low end.
Scooping mids can be done before or after the guitar signal hits the recording input. It is important to note that while this technique can create an interesting sound, it does not provide a faithful depiction of the guitar's innate sonic proportions. Additionally, it can be challenging to get right and may require experimentation with different frequencies and equipment.
The scooped mids technique is often associated with metal guitarists and the sound of amplifiers like Marshall and Fender, which had a pronounced mid-range that was modified to produce more gain and usable tone controls. This modification resulted in a scoop in the mid-frequencies, particularly around 800Hz, creating the distinctive "scooped mids" sound.
Overall, scooping mids involves substantially reducing a guitar's response in the 800Hz region, creating a unique and attention-grabbing sound that has been popular in various genres, especially metal and rock.
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Scooping mids makes more space for vocals in a mix
Scooping mids is a technique where a wide, gentle curve is cut out of the middle frequencies, leaving prominent low and high ends. This technique is often used to create space for vocals in a mix and can be achieved by using a notch filter on an equalizer.
The midrange frequencies typically fall between 250 Hz and 5 kHz. By reducing these frequencies, the low and high ends are emphasized, resulting in a boost in the bass and treble. This creates a classic "V" shape on an EQ graph, giving power to the bass and bite to the treble.
Scooping mids can be particularly useful for singer-guitarists who want their vocals to stand out without competing with the guitar's midrange frequencies. It is also commonly used in metal music, where it helps the guitar cut through a wall of sound from drums, bass, and vocals.
However, it is important to note that over-scooping can lead to a thin and weak sound. The midrange frequencies give the guitar presence and body, so they should not be completely eliminated. Additionally, the acoustics of the room and the playing style can significantly impact the sound, so adjustments should be made accordingly.
To scoop mids effectively, start by slowly turning down the midrange knob on your equalizer. A setting between 3 and 4 can provide a good scoop while maintaining definition. Boost the bass carefully to get a punchy, full-bodied sound, and adjust the treble to add brightness and definition. Fine-tune these settings to find a balance that suits your style and equipment, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
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Boosting mids, scooping mids, and cranking gain can knock up the gain that goes to the amp
The terms "boosting mids", "scooping mids", and "cranking gain" are often used in reference to altering the sound of an electric guitar.
Boosting Mids: Boosting mids can be achieved by turning up the mid knob on your amplifier, which increases the middle frequencies. This can be done in conjunction with cutting the highs and lows, as the mids cover a wide range, and even a non-scooped mid-boosted sound may have a mid-cut to remove nasal and boxy sounds. The lower mids (250-500 Hz) and upper mids (2-4 kHz) are the key frequencies to boost. This can be done using an EQ pedal, which offers more precision than tweaking the amp's EQ, as it allows you to pinpoint specific frequencies to boost or cut.
Scooping Mids: Scooping mids refers to the act of reducing the middle frequencies on an amplifier or EQ pedal, creating a sound that is both heavy and clear. This is often done by metal guitarists to create a unique, bolder sound that stands out when playing with other instruments. It is achieved by dialling down the mid knob and boosting the bass and treble knobs. The visual representation of scooped mids is a giant V shape, as the middle frequencies are being pulled down.
Cranking Gain: Cranking gain involves increasing the gain going into the amplifier, which can be done by using a tubescreamer or overdrive pedal before the amplifier. This boosts the mid-range frequencies and cuts the high frequencies, preventing them from becoming too fizzy.
By boosting mids, scooping mids, and cranking gain, a guitarist can shape their sound to be heavier, clearer, and more distinctive. These techniques can be used individually or in combination to achieve the desired tone and volume.
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Frequently asked questions
A notch is a word used to describe a very narrow band of frequencies to be cut by an equalizer.
Scooping is a technique where you turn down the midrange knob on your amp, reducing a guitar's response in the 800Hz region.
While both techniques involve cutting frequencies, a notch refers specifically to a very narrow band of frequencies, whereas a scoop typically affects a wider range of frequencies in the midrange.
Notch filters are commonly used to suppress feedback in monitor or PA systems and to remove specific types of hum and noise in recordings. Scooping is often used to create a thicker sound in the low end and to make more space for vocals in a mix.
