Linear Phase EQ use tips in MainStage

Linear Phase EQ is typically used as a mastering tool that is inserted into master or output channel strips. The way you use Linear Phase EQ depends on the audio material and your intended outcome. A useful workflow for many situations is as follows Set Linear Phase EQ to a flat response (no frequencies boosted or cut), turn on the Analyzer, then play the audio signal. Watch the graphic display to see which parts of the frequency spectrum have frequent peaks and which parts of the spectrum stay at a low level. Pay attention to sections where the signal distorts or clips. Use the graphic display or parameter controls to adjust the frequency bands.

You can reduce or eliminate unwanted frequencies and you can raise quieter frequencies to make them more pronounced. You can adjust the center frequencies of bands 2 through 7 to affect a specific frequency—either one you want to emphasize, such as the root note of the music, or one you want to eliminate, such as hum or other noise. Use the Q parameter or parameters so that only a narrow range of frequencies is affected.

You can offset the decibel scale of the graphic display by vertically dragging either the left or right edge of the dB scale when the Analyzer is not active. When the Analyzer is active, dragging the left edge adjusts the Analyzer dB scale, and dragging the right edge adjusts the linear dB scale.

Process Mid-Side recordings with Linear Phase EQ

Mid-Side routing effectively splits a stereo signal into separate stereo and mono signals. This allows discrete processing of each signal. See Stereo miking techniques for a description of Mid-Side (MS) recordings.

In MainStage, insert a Linear Phase EQ instance for each mode in the channel strip: one for Mid, one for Side. You can also choose to insert a third instance for a stereo signal, if an overall EQ is useful.
Choose a mode from the Processing pop-up menu:
- Mid Only: You hear only the sound of identical signals in each side, such as lead vocals, and mono signals, such as bass or guitar parts.
- Side Only: You hear only the sound of the different signals in each side, such as reverbs or backing vocals.
Turn on the Analyzer if required. See Use the Linear Phase EQ Analyzer.
Adjust the frequency parameters of the Linear Phase EQ instance running in Side mode. One typical use would be to reduce the low frequencies and perhaps boost the upper frequencies. This cleans up the bottom end and enhances stereo effects present in the signal.
Adjust the frequency parameters of the Linear Phase EQ instance running in Mid mode. Often used to boost or sculpt the low frequencies of signals such as bass.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

Helpful?