EQ

• Abbreviation of Equalizer
• Add or remove frequencies from a signal.
• Usually range from 20hz–20khz which is the range of human hearing. Some go higher as these frequencies can still effect the sound.

When To Use An EQ

• If there are frequencies you don't need.
• If there are frequencies you want to hear more of.
• If there are frequencies that are causing problems.

Strategies

• Favour reduction over boost. It's easy to confuse increase in loudness with something sounding better, but if something sounds better after cut there is no confusion.
• Not everything needs EQing.
• Re-pitching drums changes their fundamental frequencies. This can be used to remove conflict.
• A-B often.
• Use EQ output gains to make sure volume and EQing are separate.
• Don't use the solo button - mixing is all about context and soloing doesn't help make the right decisions.

Frequency Bands

Bands provided by EQs allow control over a range frequencies. They can range from single to multi-band EQs. For example a three band EQ might have low, mid and high bands. A seven band EQ might have a low-cut, a low, and low-mid, a mid, a high-mid, a high and a high-cut. Fewer bands allow for a more general approach and more bands allow for a more surgical approach.

Sometimes the bands are fixed to a single range of frequencies and sometime they allow this range to be adjusted.

Controls

Low-cut / High-pass Filter

Cuts frequencies below the selected frequency.

High-cut / Low-pass Filter

Cuts frequencies above the selected frequency.

Q (Bandwidth)

The Q setting applies to peak filters and changes the width of the peak, making it wider or narrower and therefore making it effect a smaller or larger range of frequencies.

Gain

Gain controls the increase or reduction of the frequencies within the band.

Shelf vs Peaking

If the band uses peaking, is effects only a band of frequencies. With shelf, the selected frequency acts as the edge of shelf, so it effects all frequencies to the left or right of the selected frequency.

Workflow

• Remove what you don't like
• Accentuate only what you need.