Differences between "regular" EQ and Linear Phase

[Logicno8]

I just watched one video explaining the difference between "regular" EQ and Linear Phase EQ and I'm a bit confused.

Guy explained that "regular" EQ (if I can call it that way, ha called it that way anyway) is making subtle phase changes when used, which results in a bit of coloration of sound and give a character to sound. Than, linear phase EQ is more sterile and gives no character when used.

He says that linear phase EQs have "fixed group delay" which means that cutting or boosting frequencies won't involve any phase changes because they will be output at the same time....This is when it started be confusing.

 

What exactly that means. If we have signal going into an EQ on a track, the signal is being fully processed and going to output. Is there some internal EQ path where lower frequencies get processed first and than higher or how something can be delayed or non delayed (which is causing that "phase coloration" of "regular" EQs) inside EQ ?

 

Thanks a lot in advance.

[Scott Jackson]

This may answer some of your questions. David provides a couple more links within that thread.

[shivermetimbers]

I just watched one video explaining the difference between "regular" EQ and Linear Phase EQ and I'm a bit confused.

Guy explained that "regular" EQ (if I can call it that way, ha called it that way

 

I hope it wasn't that 'expertvillage-idiot' doing the explaining.

 

The general explanation you will find on the net is this

The phase EQ is linear and not to use it in the reqular mix, instead use it when mastering.

 

 

Some people claim to be hooked on the LP EQ sound while others can't tell the difference.

 

Here is a simple macro that will basically allow you to switch between the two EQs.

 

Place a LP EQ in slot 1 of your output channel and a regular EQ in slot 2.

 

 

You can import a stereo audio file as if you were mastering it and compare the EQs. Play the file and set up an EQ on one of the inserts and CP (copy and paste) the setting into the other EQ.

 

Simply cable the macro to the output channel and click on it a few times to be sure one EQ is bypassed while (whilst) the other isn't.

 

Here is a test ...

 

Have everything set up to play.

 

Before you hit play, place the mouse on the bypass button (the red EQ flip button), close your eyes and click on the button as fast as you can for a few seconds.

 

Now you have no idea which EQ is active - so without peeking, play the file and listen for a few seconds. Now click the flip button (still not peeking) and compare the two.

 

Which one was the one you thought it was? Did you like the regular or the LP better?

 

Was this helpful at all?

EQ Flip.logic.zip

[Jordi Torres]

I hope it wasn't that 'expertvillage-idiot' doing the explaining.

 

Or this guy:

 

http://www.logicprohelp.com/files/picture_1_186.gif

 

"EQ the piss out of everything"

 

 

 

J.

[emilenitrate]

@ Shivermetimbers - Thanks for the switch setup, I've tried before and could never hear the difference but yes, I can consistently differentiate between the linear phase and non-linear with my eyes closed using the A/B setup. On repeated multiple blind mouse clickings without exception. I can't explain the difference but I think I like the linear phase eq better. Maybe it's hard to hear because the channel eq is designed to be transparent. - Emile

[shivermetimbers]

@ Shivermetimbers - Thanks for the switch setup, I've tried before and could never hear the difference but yes, I can consistently differentiate between the linear phase and non-linear with my eyes closed using the A/B setup. On repeated multiple blind mouse clickings without exception. I can't explain the difference but I think I like the linear phase eq better. Maybe it's hard to hear because the channel eq is designed to be transparent. - Emile

 

 

Weird isn't it?

 

I'm like "A-HA!!! That has to be the channel EQ." only to find that it was the LP EQ.

[Logicno8]

Thanks guys. I looked over those threads and searched more and found some answers. The video I was watching was MacProVideo on using Waves Mastering Bundle. shivemetimbers....Thanks for this nice little thingie you attached. I will try out this switch in the test you gave here and try to spot a difference.

[fader8]

Logicno8,

Keep in mind that the differences manifest themselves mostly under specific conditions. For example, you won't hear much difference on steady state signals unless the signals bandwidth is large enough. Or you won't hear the difference it makes to the attacks and transients in your music if those were all sloppy to begin with! Some of the artifacts created by filters occur at low levels, so if there's a lot of busy crap in your mix they're probably going to be masked anyway. Also, the quality of your monitoring plays a big part in your ability to hear some of these differences, so if you're using any typical budget home studio monitors, don't expect much.

[Logicno8]

Logicno8,

Keep in mind that the differences manifest themselves mostly under specific conditions. For example, you won't hear much difference on steady state signals unless the signals bandwidth is large enough. Or you won't hear the difference it makes to the attacks and transients in your music if those were all sloppy to begin with! Some of the artifacts created by filters occur at low levels, so if there's a lot of busy crap in your mix they're probably going to be masked anyway. Also, the quality of your monitoring plays a big part in your ability to hear some of these differences, so if you're using any typical budget home studio monitors, don't expect much.

 

Thanks on advices. I don't expect to hear difference actually. I expected just to catch some answers on what is the difference in a way that Linear Phase EQ works and how it differs from other types of EQs.

I have really cheap monitors (they were around 120$ I think) and recently I got back wall of my listening "sweet spot" reconstructed, so, now I have some stupid small plate-like sounding echo made by these new wall surfaces.

So in a way of mixing or hearing a realistic representation of what's happening in the mix, I really don't expect anything. Just making levels, and making everything to sound as good as possible in these circumstances.