ABOUT EQ

WHAT IS EQ?

EQ is an essential tool during mixing for defining the low-end, adding sparkle to vocals or percussion, and for separating tracks with similar frequency ranges. It’s also useful for correcting recordings. For example, if a guitar has an annoying resonance, you can reduce the resonating frequency with EQ.

Almost all EQs work the same way: select a frequency or frequency range, then adjust the level up or down. EQs are often described as having 'bands'. This means that the whole frequency curve is split into sections — a 3-band EQ lets you manipulate three sections of the curve individually.

Parametric EQs also have a ‘Q’ control in addition to Gain and Frequency. Q refers to the width of the curve used for the adjustment — the bandwidth. A high Q setting means a low bandwidth and a narrow curve — more like a spike. A low Q setting gives you a wide curve, covering a wide range of frequencies.

As a rule, it sounds more natural if you use a low Q (wide bandwidth) when boosting, and a high Q (a narrow spike) when cutting.

TYPES OF EQ

  • Parametric — Refers to the adjustable parameters. Fully-parametric = Q, frequency and gain. Semi-parametric = frequency and gain only. Not parametric = only gain is adjustable.

  • Shelving filter — Raise or lower a frequency and everything above or below it. A low shelf has a plateau at the bottom end, a high shelf at the top. This is the kind of EQ behind the 'Bass' and 'Treble' knobs on your HiFi amplifier.

  • High-cut, Low-cut filter — Cuts the frequencies above or below a certain frequency. Also called high-pass and low-pass filters, the important aspects are where the cut (or pass) starts, and the slope of the downward curve. A steep slope sounds less natural, but can be more precise.

  • Graphic equalizer — Divides the frequency-spectrum into (usually) 31 bands, each with a gain control only. Often used live to equalize room-resonance on a PA.




TIPS AND TRICKS

LOW-CUT ON VOCALS

Before you do anything else, use a low-cut (or high-pass) EQ setting on your vocals. Remove the entire low end, and audition the signal until you can hear the vocal track getting thin — then roll back a little.

REMOVING RESONANCE

Using a full-parametric EQ, choose a high Q setting and increase gain up to 10 db. Now sweep through the frequencies and listen out for the point where the signal resonates — it might sound buzzy or boomy. Once you've got it, drop the gain to anywhere between -3 db and -12 db, depending on how annoying the resonance is.

A QUICK GUIDE TO THE FREQUENCY SPECTRUM

  • Bass: from about 40 Hz to 200 Hz: Booming, full, solid

  • Low Mids: from about 200 Hz to 800 Hz: Body, fatness, fullness, warmth

  • Mids: from about 800 Hz to 5,000 Hz: Clear, present, forward

  • Highs: from about 5,000 Hz to 8,000 Hz: Bright, alive, brilliant

  • Ultra Highs: above about 8,000 Hz: Crisp, radiant sparkling

PayPal PayPal Credit MasterCard Visa Diners Club International American Express JCB Sofortueberweisung Ideal Poli

Some of these payment methods might not be supported in your country. Learn more.

Description