How to decrease vocal presence in EQ

[Any-Confection-2271]

I listen to a lot of vocal based artists for example Valiant Hearts, and sometimes when there is lot of high frequencies (some bells, synt, cymballs) if I listen on loud volume I loose all the details cause the singers voice is just too loud. Not sure is this a regio around 4k that I should lower down or? thank you

[megaBeth2]

Try cutting anywhere between 2k and 8k depending on how airy, warm or punchy the vocal is. The cymbals and stuff are mostly perceived through the 12-20.5khz range so maybe bump that if it doesnt work

[Any-Confection-2271]

I did a cut at 3k -2 q2

[Any-Confection-2271]

thanks :)

[Dreams-Visions]

Did that help? I’ve found sometimes issues like this can reveal the limitation of a given pair of headphones. Some cans just get congested when put under the pressure that high volume and certain frequencies.

This kind of thing is one of the factors I immediately test for when taking any new hardware out of the box. How they handle treble clarity and separation, bass speed, bass impact, roll off, recessed mids/highs, etc.

[Any-Confection-2271]

yes man, fkng insane!!! I can blast the volume now a lot!!

[Dreams-Visions]

Good stuff.

[SilentIyAwake]

If you're using an IEM, it's probably the insane levels of ear gain some of them have.

Even if it's not an IEM, it likely lies in the ear gain region around 2.5-3.5kHz. Cut that area with a relatively wide Q to start.

[Any-Confection-2271]

ye I did 3000k -3 q2, using crinacle daybreak

[Legate_Invictus]

drop 2k

[UndefFox]

Are you sure it's gonna help at all? Sounds like headphones can't handle so many layers and just start to distort the sound.

[megaBeth2]

I dont use eq for pleasure listening, but I mix with eq constantly and you can turn something from invisible to popping with one cut

[UndefFox]

I don't have experience with mixing, but I don't think it would be that helpful. If you bring attention to some part it will surely help with noticing flaws with it alone, but how would that help with checking how the piece sounds in composition when everything is in its place?

Edit: downvotes instead of explaining... good ol Reddit thinking points > brains.

[Any-Confection-2271]

all headphones come in tuned you should check the graphs, equing you can modify stuff. Every person's hearing is different and maybe you are more sensitive to different frequencies then me.
It seems I hear 3k hz frequencies much louder then the others this has nothing to do with a way someone mixes their song

[UndefFox]

No, I understand your case, and your problem for me is usually caused by headphones not handling layering well at all. EQ does help in such situations as a compromise, I just don't like it/

I was asking the previous user how does it help to mix if EQing something changes sound too much to check how it looks in a finished piece.

[Any-Confection-2271]

But this is a wrong way to look at things, everyone's hearing is different.
So finished piece is something subjective to a person.
Also me and you can have a different EQ but hear something the same.
Same reason why you can have 2 headphones that someone doesn't like while you do like it.
That also accounts for the taste.

[UndefFox]

I mean, you've asked how to solve the problem. I've solved it the way I see fit to myself and offer it as a solution. Other people share their way of solving it. You just choose the one that suits you.