Have you ever listened to an incredible track and wondered how the artist achieved such a precise and powerful sound? The answer lies in the use of EQ, one of the most essential tools in the music industry.
EQ or Equalization is the process of adjusting specific frequencies within an audio signal to enhance or attenuate certain portions of the sound. EQ allows you to control the tonal balance of your music, giving you the power to boost or cut the frequencies you want.
In this article, we will explore the basics of EQ and its importance in the music industry.
Plug-Ins and Their Importance
Before digging deeper into EQ, it’s essential to understand plug-ins and their role in shaping the sound. Plug-ins are software applications designed to run within a digital audio workstation (DAW).
They work by processing the audio signal in a specific way, such as changing the frequency response of the sound. Plug-ins are essential because they allow for a wide range of creative possibilities within a track that is not possible with analog gear.
Plug-ins also have the added benefit of being easy to use and more affordable than analog gear. With plug-ins, you have access to countless digital emulations of vintage analog gear, allowing you to achieve sounds that were once impossible to achieve in the digital realm.
Importance of EQ and Why It’s Powerful
Equalization is one of the most powerful tools in audio production because it allows you to control the tonal balance of your music. EQ is used to enhance specific frequencies in a track, making it sound richer and fuller.
Conversely, EQ can also be used to remove unwanted frequencies, giving you greater control over the tonal balance of your entire mix. EQ is essential for balancing the levels of your tracks, ensuring that each instrument or element of your mix is heard clearly without overpowering the others.
EQ can also help to remove any unwanted noise, such as hum or hiss, that may have been recorded along with the audio signal.
Basic Principles of EQ
Using EQ Like a Volume Fader
One of the basic principles of EQ is to use it like a volume fader. This means that when you boost a specific frequency within a track, you are increasing its volume relative to the rest of the mix.
Similarly, when you cut a frequency, you are reducing its volume relative to the rest of the mix. By understanding how to use EQ in this way, you can achieve a more balanced and dynamic mix.
Boosting and Cutting Frequencies Within a Track
Another fundamental principle of EQ is the ability to boost and cut frequencies within a track. Boosting a frequency within a track can help to make specific elements of the mix stand out and sound more prominent.
For example, boosting the bass frequencies of the kick drum can help it cut through the mix and provide a solid foundation for the entire track. Conversely, cutting frequencies can help to remove any frequencies that are detracting from the overall mix.
For example, if there is too much low-end rumble in a vocal track, you can use EQ to remove those frequencies, making the vocal sound cleaner and reducing any unwanted noise in the mix.
Achieving Proper Balance Within Individual Tracks
The final basic principle of EQ is achieving proper balance within individual tracks. This means using EQ to ensure that each element of the mix is heard clearly without overpowering the others.
For example, if the guitars in your mix are too loud, they can overpower the vocals and drums, making the entire mix sound unbalanced. By using EQ to control the tonal balance of each track, you can achieve a more balanced and cohesive mix.
This includes removing any unwanted frequencies that detract from the overall sound or masking important elements of the mix.
Conclusion
In conclusion, EQ is an essential tool in the music industry that allows producers and audio engineers to control the tonal balance of their music. EQ allows you to boost or cut specific frequencies within a track, helping to enhance its overall sound and balance.
By understanding the basic principles of EQ, you can achieve a more balanced and dynamic mix that stands out from the rest. Remember, EQ is not a magic cure-all for a poorly recorded track, but if used correctly, it can help to take your music to the next level.
Utilizing EQ in a Mix
Equalization (EQ) is a vital part of audio mixing. It enables an engineer to balance different elements of a mix and enhance certain frequencies as required.
When utilized correctly, EQ can open up the power to enhance a track at an individual and collective level. Here we will explore different techniques that can be utilized to handle the power of EQ.
Unmasking Desirable Frequencies in Instruments
When mixing audio, it is common to have instruments that occupy the same frequency range in a mix resulting in masking desirable frequencies. This can lead to a cluttered mix sounding uninviting to the listener.
EQ facilitates the unmasking of specific frequencies making each part of the mix stand out, achieving a more balanced mix that makes it lively and exciting. For instance, when mixing drums, frequencies such as kick drum, toms or snare may share the same range; eliminating the unnecessary frequencies can showcase the desirable characteristics of each drum, resulting in an intimate blend.
Controlling Out-of-Control Tracks
One of the most significant challenges faced when mixing audio is dealing with out-of-control tracks. Such tracks sound unpleasant and can ruin an otherwise well-crafted mix.
Situations where problematic frequencies, unwanted hums, or low-end rumble are present calls for the effective use of EQ in bringing such frequencies under control. These frequencies can overburden the audio signal in the mix, making it difficult to hear vital components in the mix.
A slight adjustment using EQ can reduce or eliminate problem frequency sufficiently to the point that it no longer overpowers other components of the audio mix.
Making Subtle EQ Moves to Improve Overall Mix
EQ allows audio engineers to make subtle EQ moves to improve an overall mix. EQ moves such as boosts, cuts, and shelving of subtle frequencies can make all the difference in the final audio mix.
For an example, boosting 2 dB at 250 Hz on a snare drum can give it presence, making it easier to discern in the mix. EQ moves do not require significant boosts or cuts to make a noticeable difference in the mix’s final sound.
Expert use of EQ and subtle EQ moves can add a touch of professional quality to an audio mix without sacrificing originality.
Understanding EQ Features
Frequency Knob and Its Function
In every EQ plugin, a frequency knob is a feature that enables audio engineers to set the frequency to be affected. It controls the specified frequency range with more precision than the broad controls of the EQ shelving.
Every audio source has a range of frequencies that make up its sound, and each frequency has a unique characteristic; for example, deep bass has a lower frequency while cymbals are higher frequency sounds. The frequency knob controls the exact range of frequencies that are boosted or cut, allowing flexibility to target specific parts of the audio spectrum.
Gain Knob as a Volume Knob for Frequencies
The Gain knob is another essential EQ feature that controls the boost or attenuation level of the selected frequency. The control of levels, similar to a volume knob, determines the amount of the sound frequency that will be affected by the EQ plugin operation.
Engineers use the gain knob to balance the levels of frequencies with exceptional detail to maximize a sound’s clarity. The gain level’s adjustments can prevent an EQ’ed track from becoming too loud, or to make a specific frequency easier or harder to hear within a given sound.
Determining Width of Boost/Cut with Q
An audio equalizer’s Q setting is the measure of how broad or narrow your selected EQ frequency is. The Q can be adjusted between broad and narrow, allowing for adjustments to be made on wide or narrow frequency ranges by adjusting the knob up or down.
When dealing with a singular frequency in a mix, a narrower Q of 1 or 1.2 can be used to precisely target the area of the problematic frequency. However, when dealing with a broader range of frequencies such as a bass guitar, a wider Q of 2.5 or above can be used to book a broader range of frequencies to tune the bass guitar.
Using the Q correctly is an essential part of crafting a fine audio mix that is both equalized and not overdone. Different EQ Types, Including Shelves
There are different types of EQ available to an audio engineer.
The most common EQ types are parametric, graphic, shelving, and high/low pass filters. Parametric and graphic equalizers are used typically in digital music production, allowing precision and flexibility when targeting specific frequencies.
Audio engineers favor shelving EQs due to their versatility within the studio environment. They are used to adjust frequencies in a broader or narrower range than a single audio tone to boost or cut signal levels.
Many EQ plugins offer a selection of different shelf types such as bass and treble, or variable shelf options to match the artist’s preference. In conclusion, understanding the basics of EQ and its different features allows audio engineers to manipulate individual frequencies and control a mix’s tonality.
The skillful use of EQ separates professional-sounding mixes and poorly mixed tracks. By utilizing EQ, an engineer can remove unwanted frequencies or lightly shape sound-elements, ultimately delivering an exemplary listening experience.
Example of EQing a Lead Vocal
EQing a vocal track is a crucial part of mixing music. The lead vocals on a track are the centerpiece of the production, and as such, it is critical to ensure that they have a clean and audible sound.
The process of EQing a vocal track involves enhancing its presence, removing unwanted frequencies, and ensuring that it sits well in the mix. Here we will discuss the importance of recorded track quality and take you through the step-by-step process of EQing a lead vocal.
Importance of Recorded Track Quality
The first step to EQing a lead vocal is the initial recording. No amount of tweaking can change the quality of a poorly recorded track.
It is crucial that the recording is clean, and the vocalist’s performance is good with no unwanted noise throughout the recording. An unclean recording can create unwanted frequencies, noise, or echo, making it difficult to EQ the track.
A properly recorded vocal track provides the perfect setting to EQ.
Step-by-Step Process for EQing a Lead Vocal
1. Balance the Levels: Before processing an EQ, ensure that the lead vocal sits well in the overall mix.
Adjust the levels of the vocal within the mix so that it is prominent.
2.
High-Pass Filter: Begin by inserting a high-pass filter in the EQ chain to eliminate low-end rumble or unwanted noise that may be present. Set the cutoff frequency to around 120Hz to 150Hz, removing the lower end frequencies that interfere with the low-end mix of the other instruments.
3. Address the Highs: Boost the highs of the vocal frequency to give it more presence in the mix.
Add a 2dB lift between 3kHz and 5kHz range to highlight the sibilance and clarity of the vocal.
4.
Tackle the Midrange: The mid frequencies, usually between 500Hz and 3kHz, are essential for a lead vocal as they allow the vocal’s character to shine through. It is also the frequency that usually interferes with other mix elements.
A cut of about 1.5 to 2dB at around 700Hz can reduce unwanted buildup in the vocal’s midrange.
5.
Lower the Low Mids: The lower mids frequency comprising 250Hz to 500Hz can build up and result in clutter in an audio mix. A cut of about 2dB at around 400Hz can help unmask the desirable frequency range in the vocal.
EQing Other Instruments
High-Pass Filter for Most Tracks
EQing is not only limited to lead vocals. Every instrument on a track requires EQing to highlight their sound.
However, as an additional step, to prepare for attributing specific EQ settings, every track can use a high-pass filter. A high-pass filter in the EQ chain is generally a good starting point for most tracks, other than the bass and drum tracks.
Setting the cutoff frequency to around 120Hz to 150 Hz removes any undesirable low-end frequency and makes sure the instruments do not interfere with bass or drum tracks.
Common Bad Frequency Buildup and How to Address It
EQing other instruments is about enhancing their particular sonic qualities and removing open frequencies that may affect the quality of other instrument frequencies in the mix. One common issue dealt with in EQing is frequency buildup.
Frequency buildup is created when different frequencies occupy the same range, resulting in masking desirable frequencies. The buildup is especially noticeable in the midrange between 500Hz to 3kHz. To address frequency buildup, a parametric equalizer with a narrow Q and a notch filter is useful.
With the use of a parametric EQ and a narrow Q, it is possible to isolate the problematic frequency and precisely reduce it for a more balanced mix. A technique for retrieving the desired frequency range on instruments is to cut the problematic frequencies within the range and subsequently boost about 1dB to 2dB of the same range the problematic frequency was cut.
This technique eradicates frequency masking and gives each instrument a specific sound identity.
Conclusion
EQing is an important process that enhances a mix’s tonality and helps to balance the different elements, making everything sound good together. However, to identify and correct problematic frequencies in an audio track requires a thorough understanding of the process.
A clean and clear recording process of vocal or instrument tracks is the first step in EQing a mix. After initial balancing of the audio track, using high-pass filters, boosting highs and taking care of mid and lower range frequencies is the next process.
Additionally, identifying exact problematic frequencies and making necessary cuts or boosts is crucial for a mix that meets industry standards. EQing not only shapes a mix but adds a layer of professionalism to produce, crafting intriguing soundscapes for listeners.
Using EQ Charts/Presets
Equalization charts and presets, also known as “EQ cheatsheets,” are tools utilized by audio engineers to make the process of EQing easier. These tools give recommended settings for each frequency range to help achieve the desired sound.
While they can be useful for novice audio engineers, they have limitations, as we will discuss below. It’s important to understand the value of relying primarily on our ears and experimentation.
Temptation and Limitations of EQ Charts/Presets
It is tempting to utilize EQ charts and presets because they provide a quick and easy way to make adjustments. By using them, an audio engineer doesn’t have to spend time testing different settings to achieve the desired sound.
The presets include specific EQ frequencies and settings, and with one click, the sound is changed. However, these presets limit how the audio will sound, and the result may not be the exact sound desired.
For example, an EQ preset for a bass guitar may cut the lower frequencies too deeply, resulting in an unbalanced mix. Another example of preset limitation is that their application is usually broad and not applied to a particular track.
In the case of a lead vocal, a preset may not account for the unique qualities of the lead vocalist’s voice, accompanying the mix.
Importance of Relying on Ears and Experimentation
Relying solely on an EQ chart/preset assumes that every audio track is created equal, and techniques that work for one mix will work for another without any variation. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Every track needs more bespoke work, and while EQ presets are useful, relying primarily on your ears is the most effective way to ensure excellent sound quality. Using your ears to mix allows you to make changes according to your audio mix, promoting the mix’s individuality.
For example, a lead vocal for one track may require gentle EQing while others could need significant modifications according to the singer’s vocal style or the producers production choice. There are some rules of thumb which work across the board, such as using parametric EQs for subtle cuts and boosts, but experimentation has to be conducted for each track individually.
The ideal sound is achieved by taking a mix apart, reducing individual tracks or increasing low-end work around different tracks. Experimentation is the second essential element required in producing a great mix.
It’s through experimentation that an audio engineer discovers what works and what doesn’t within a mix. Experimentation is the primary way to understand how the controls interact and to figure out their limitations.
While using a cheat sheet can help bring a mix closer to the desired sound, the final decision is always made by the