EQ Tutorial

[emotionz22]

hey i was wondering if there were specific videos or websites on EQing tracks in more detail...i have an idea of What EQing is but i don't really understand how to apply it to my tracks ...i just kind of use my ears and mess around with the band on the instrument baseed on the EQ chart...to me EQing is like putting a puzzle together especially when it comes to the kick and bass...which i struggle with

what I'm asking is for more information on understanding EQ charts and applying it to my tracks when necessary

[3dot...]

the left end of the spectrum are low frequencies (sub bass/bass)
the right are the Hi (treble)
and then there's all the stuff in the middle.

you can amplify or attenuate frequency "bands" with an eq (terms : cut / boost)

the Q(uality) parameter sets the width of the "band" or "aggressiveness" of the filter

there are several types of eqs.. (parametric/graphic/filters etc.) read about them on the web.
"parametric" are the most common used today..
and they usually contain different types of filters (low pass / hi pass / band / notch etc.)

a good way to understand a sound (at least visually) is to drop a 'spectrum' device on it's track and look at it as it's playing..
you can see the relation between all the frequencies of that sound
you can use the eq to cut some and boost some ..
I think it's actually better by ear..
and you can also train your ear to approximate the main frequencies you're hearing..

so in short an eq can be used to get rid of problems.. or to bring up certain elements of the sound ..
like all audio fx .. it can also totally transform a sound when used aggressively...

this will get you going further:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul01/a ... isers1.asp
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Aug01/a ... singeq.asp
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_ar ... 95/eq.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher-Munson_curves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGFzYh_C7to

[emotionz22]

the left end of the spectrum are low frequencies (sub bass/bass)
the right are the Hi (treble)
and then there's all the stuff in the middle.

you can amplify or attenuate frequency "bands" with an eq (terms : cut / boost)

the Q(uality) parameter sets the width of the "band" or "aggressiveness" of the filter

there are several types of eqs.. (parametric/graphic/filters etc.) read about them on the web.
"parametric" are the most common used today..
and they usually contain different types of filters (low pass / hi pass / band / notch etc.)

a good way to understand a sound (at least visually) is to drop a 'spectrum' device on it's track and look at it as it's playing..
you can see the relation between all the frequencies of that sound
you can use the eq to cut some and boost some ..
I think it's actually better by ear..
and you can also train your ear to approximate the main frequencies you're hearing..

so in short an eq can be used to get rid of problems.. or to bring up certain elements of the sound ..
like all audio fx .. it can also totally transform a sound when used aggressively...

this will get you going further:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul01/a ... isers1.asp
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Aug01/a ... singeq.asp
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_ar ... 95/eq.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher-Munson_curves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGFzYh_C7to

'Thanks i appreciate your help very much

[William]

the left end of the spectrum are low frequencies (sub bass/bass)
the right are the Hi (treble)
and then there's all the stuff in the middle.

you can amplify or attenuate frequency "bands" with an eq (terms : cut / boost)

the Q(uality) parameter sets the width of the "band" or "aggressiveness" of the filter

there are several types of eqs.. (parametric/graphic/filters etc.) read about them on the web.
"parametric" are the most common used today..
and they usually contain different types of filters (low pass / hi pass / band / notch etc.)

a good way to understand a sound (at least visually) is to drop a 'spectrum' device on it's track and look at it as it's playing..
you can see the relation between all the frequencies of that sound
you can use the eq to cut some and boost some ..
I think it's actually better by ear..
and you can also train your ear to approximate the main frequencies you're hearing..

so in short an eq can be used to get rid of problems.. or to bring up certain elements of the sound ..
like all audio fx .. it can also totally transform a sound when used aggressively...

this will get you going further:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul01/a ... isers1.asp
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Aug01/a ... singeq.asp
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_ar ... 95/eq.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher-Munson_curves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGFzYh_C7to

Ace post!

[heuristics]

I've found spectral analyzers helpful when learning about EQing, especially if you dont have a good monitoring environment.
Would be nice if ableton had a spectral EQ, but for the time being ive been using voxengo gliss EQ just as a spectral analyzer.
Its pretty nice to be able to overlay different plots on top of each other, so you can take a look at where your bass and kick are hitting.
That being said I think its important to put a good amount of time into choosing samples and song elements that will naturally fit together. Ex. If you've got a big subby bassline, opting for a more punchy kick will make mixing your low end easier.
Then youll just need some compression and EQing to get things fitting together nicely.

[Dragonbreath]

You mentioned having problems with eq with kick and bass.

The thing is there both in the same range so there competing with the same frequency.

First you have to decide if its your kick or the bass thats gonna occupy the very low end. Lets say you pick the kick, you boost the bass in the low end, do it by ear. Note what frequency you boosted. Cut that frequency in the bass. then do the reverse. Find a sweet spot in the bass but at a higher frequency then cut that one out of the kick.

By doing this your assigning them both there "spot" in the mix.
They wont be competing as much for the same frequencies.

You might want to google frequency masking.

For stuff in the mid range and highs (synths, guitar, piano, etc.) if you have two sounds competing for the same frequencies you can try panning to different sides. That way there not in each others way.


Hope it helps!

[Tone Deft]

a huge mistake people make (probably all of us at one point) is that we think we HAVE TO use EQ and compression and reverb. that's completely wrong, the worst thing you can do is apply effects that you don't understand.

best way to learn how effects work is to play with them. take some time to listen to some music through Live and play with EQs. sometimes after work when I'm too bonked to make tunes I'll run the TV through Live and watch TV while playing with new effects. the Spectrum plug in is a great way to see how EQ affects sound.

[3dot...]

imo..
if you're mixing more than 2 tracks..
it's most likely you'll need to use eq.. (meaning you're mix will be better off using it)
about compression and other stuff I agree tone.. especially when it comes to recordings..
don't get me wrong an eq can be overdone too..
but in my experience I have to use an eq more often than not...
even if it's a subtle cut of a wide band...
and especially on audio recordings

[Tone Deft]

what I've come to find is that my mixes sound MUCH better when I start with good recordings that don't need EQs. that can be offset by someone with GOOD production skills but I try to avoid turd polishing. when I find myself spending time with effects to make something sound better I tell myself to stop and re-record the part or just throw it out.

[3dot...]

Agreed !

one should make efforts to record in a good environment
(a quiet studio with a good recording chain)

[3dot...]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiJ9fy1qSFI

...still stinks !

[3dot...]

another thing...
I guess in electronic music/mixing you're sometimes like a sculptor..
(working in the frequency realm rather than the harmonic table)
taking out "unnecessary" frequencies from a sound..
allows you to add additional elements to "fill the gaps"..
or create more "open space"

I find that a lot of time I use the eq to "carve" the main elements of the sound.. out of the bulk..

[H20nly]

high five 3dot...

[mech2161]

I find that a lot of time I use the eq to "carve" the main elements of the sound.. out of the bulk..

so true

[3dot...]

yeah.. all that technical stuff..
now if only I can finish one of my own tracks...