How Do You Use Equilization?

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Answered: 324 day 7 h (2) | Permalink

- 4 +

Liquid Vibe

First of all EQ is all about the clean up. It is a way of creating sonic space for sound to exist in your mix. There are other ways to use it but lets just stick to the basics.

There are Three basic types of what we call "filters" in EQ. They are:

Peak - Peak filters focus on a specific freq, can boost or cut that Freq., and they may or may not have an adjustable "Q". The "Q" determines the bandwidth of the filter. In other words how wide or narrow the filter is. Peak is also known as parametric, however I disagree with that.

Shelving - Shelving filters can boost or cut, they begin at a user defined freq, and affect all other Freq. to the end of the audio spectrum by a user definded amount of amplitude. They also may or may not have an adjustable "Q". However, in this case the "Q" is better refered to as the slope since the bandwidth of this filter includes all freq. to the end of the audio spectrum.

A good example of this type of filter is the Bass and Treble controls in a car.

Pass Filters - Can only cut Freq. THEY CAN NOT BOOST! They start at a user defined freq. and and affect all freq. to the end of the audio spectrum dramaticly. Once again they may or may not have an adjustable slope. I will discuss slope in a moment.

Ok, there are three types of pass filters 1. High pass filter 2. Low pass filter 3. Band pass filter.

High Pass filter - High pass filters will affect low freq. Lets say you started a High pass filter at 200Hz, it would start to cut out at 200Hz and affect all freq down to 20Hz. It esentialy blocks the low Freq. and allows high Freq. to pass. Hence High pass filter.

Low Pass Filter - Low pass filters are exactly the opposite of High Pass filters. They affect the High Freq. Say you set a High pass filter at 1KHz, it would then affect all Freq. from 1KHz to 20KHz.

Band Pass Filter - A band pass filter is a combo of High and Low pass filters. It only alows freq. in the mids to pass. This is how you get the classic telephone effect.

The slope is how abruptly the filter cuts out Freq. It is determined by how many dB/Octave the signal is cut. I don't know any good way to describe this in terms without being able to draw a picture.

There are diferent styles to useing EQ. There is additive, subtractive, and a combo of both. I mostly use subtractive. For example, if I have an electric guitar track and a snare track in a recording and they seem to be sonicly fighting for space I will try to EQ the two tracks untill they have room to fit into the mix. I try to find Freq. that they have in common and cut them out so that they don't sound "muddy". For instance I may cut out something like 240HZ at around 3dB with a peak filter out of the Guitar track to make room for the snare and maybe 360HZ at about 3dB out of the snare to make room for the guitar. The idea is not to damage the tone of the instrument that you are EQing, but just use enough to create sonic space for things to exist.

In a sense you are EQing instruments right from the get go with the mics that you choose. Different mics have different freq. response.

Anyway I hope this helps you to understand EQ a little better nad hopefuly help you get better mixes.

• Excellent answer - I saved this in my text files I keep for good advice - thank you

  Trying Todelete | Oct 19 at 03:10

• Sure man, any time!!

  Liquid Vibe | Oct 19 at 02:10

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1. Answered: 333 day 22 h (2) | Permalink

   - 7 +

   Mix Master

   First, an EQ is an.......amplifier.  Thats all it is.  Grapic EQ's are the most straight forward.  Find the right frequency and either boost or cut that frequency. 

   Parametreics are easier than you think.  For example:  Let's say that vocal that you are mixing sounds a bit "boomy" or "Muddy".  Everyones instinct is to crank the high end.  Nope.  Here's where the "parameters" of parametrics come into play. 

   The 3 parameters are

   1. frequency
   2. boost/cut
   3. "Q". 

   # 3 is where it gets a bit confusing.  It's the range around the chosen frequency that get's boosted or cut. 

   Let's say you want to get rid of the boom in the vocal.  Try setting the "Q" to it's narrowest setting.  Set the frequency somwhere around 300hz(normally the area of boomy/muddy sound).  Then crank the bost full up.  Now, sweep the frequency above and below the 300hz range and I promise you will hear the problem frequency.  Now that you found it, cut some of the found freq. out and widen out the "Q" until the mud clears up.  Then add you top end. 

   Always cut the nasty stuff out before you add the good stuff.  (The "Q" setting on graphics is fixed, but you usually have a choice betwen narrow and wide) Happy eq'ing

   • Nice work Mix Master...Farley, you are going to love being able to sweep through the frequencies and find the nasty (or wonderful) frequencies in different sound sources.

     Justin Vencel | Oct 09 at 12:10

   • what a great answer - good info ! Thank you ...

     Trying Todelete | Oct 09 at 04:10

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2. Answered: 333 day 1 h (3) | Permalink

   - 1 +

   Freyr

   Yeh I think parametric EQ's are better that they can really shape the sound of things. So as above, you boost it up full, narrow it up to the max and start sweeping dude. Then you get the space invaders weep weep effect. It's probably about listening. Cut what you don't like boost what you like. I think one thing is important here. Don't overdo it. Like ppl with nose problems for example. Also remember to adjust the Q it can really change things. Oh and it helps if you can hear high frequencies well. Personally I can still hear the 22K range when it buzzes. If you turn the volume UP that is.

   • I don't know why, but this post cracks me up Freyr.

     Gear Guy | Oct 10 at 01:10

   • Great answer and good advice although I have never had nose problems - thank you for your input.

     Trying Todelete | Oct 10 at 06:10

   • Failpunk squire, glad in doing so. Maybe it's a little open to misinterpretation. By buzz I'm referring to the actual sounding of the 22k frequency on my mobile. Farley glad to be of any help.

     Freyr | Oct 17 at 04:10

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3. Answered: 30 day 6 h (0) | Permalink

   - 0 +

   RecMixMas

   Take a look at these two essential guides to equalizing:

   http://recordmixandmaster.com/2010-02-equalizing-reference-guide

   http://recordmixandmaster.com/2010-02-equalizers

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4. Answered: 334 day 1 h (3) | Permalink

   - -2 +

   guest

   i tend to use tons of eq....realy loads of top end...cos i do a lot of coke in the studio...then i return to the mix the next day and it sounds way too bright....i gotta stop doin coke in the studio

   • Seriously people, we need to keep these responses relevant to the question.

     kylepsnyder | Oct 08 at 07:10

   • i am a diet Pepsi guy so this doesn't apply

     Trying Todelete | Oct 09 at 04:10

   • Well played Farley.

     Gear Guy | Oct 10 at 01:10

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