Equalisation

Equalization is a very important stage in the process of mixing music, EQ allows the music producer to adjust the volume levels in specific frequency ranges. EQ is usually used the late stages of producing a musical track, producers use EQ to balance out the audio frequencies in their music. EQ is simply shaping the sound and an EQ plug in gives us many tools to freely morph our sounds. The main shapes used in equalizing are: shelves, notches and bells

Low Cut

A low cut, also known as a high pass filter will get rid of all low end frequencies in your track. A low cut is very useful when your track has too much low end which can lead to muddy tones in your music. Low cut’s can be used to tame extremely low frequencies or high resonance in your track.

High Cut

A high cut is also known as a low pass filter. This will get rid of all the high end frequencies in your track. High cut’s are often used to get rid of sharp and harsh tones in your mix.

Bells

Bells are the standard tools used in EQ, these are used to boost and decrease frequencies within a certain range. The shape of bells can be manipulated depending on how many frequencies you want it to affect around it.

Notches

Notches are used to change frequencies within a very narrow range, a notch is used in very precise equalization. Notches are often used to get rid of unwanted resonance after recording in untreated acoustic environment. Be careful not to use too many notches as this can create a very comb filtered sound in your music.

The frequency spectrum

The frequency spectrum is a system that tells us what frequency range specific instruments are working in, the spectrum ranges from 20 kilo hertz to 20-000 kilo hertz because this is the range of human hearing. The lowest area in the frequency spectrum is sub bass frequencies, these are bass frequencies so low that most of the time we cannot hear them, this is because you need very good head phones or a sub woofer to hear it. A sub woofer is a speaker that is specifically designed for producing audible deep bass and sub bass frequencies. Sub bass frequencies are between the frequency range of 20 – 60 hertz. Next in the frequency spectrum is low end frequency’s, this ranges between the frequencies such as 60 – 200 hertz. This frequency range usually includes instruments such as bass guitars and low end vocals.

Low Mid frequencies are anything between the frequency range of 200 to 600 hertz, this is an area you have to pay very close attention to in mixing. This is because most instruments tend to build up in frequency around this area. Instruments often seen here are higher end frequencies of bass guitar, electric guitar and vocals. This frequency range often adds mud to your mix as instruments build up sound around here. Mid range frequency are the main area human ears tend to focus around, these are frequencies between 600 to 3 kilo hertz. It is very important to get this frequency range right, this is because most of the time this is where you want your main focus of the track to be. The focus of the track must have a lot of space in this area in order to stand out. Be careful because this is also where you can start to get harsh and aggressive tones in your music.

Upper Mids are the next grouping in the spectrum, this is where you start to get a lot of aggressive tones and brittle in your track. This frequency range s anything between 3 and 8 kilo hertz, this range is very important for clarity and aggression in your music. High range frequencies are very high in pitch, high range can also be split into a few other groups. These groups include treble (8 -12 kilo hertz) frequencies and air frequencies (12+ kilo hertz). But in general high range frequencies are anything above 8 kilo hertz.

Tips for bass frequencies

Boosting a signal to around 40 to 60 hertz is inaudible to the human ear and therefore creates a sub bass frequencies. These are frequencies that you cannot hear but feel through the vibrations of the music. However frequencies below 30 hertz are completely invisible to the human ears, this means you can safety cut these frequencies. If you want your tom drum top boom in your mix then boost the frequencies between 60-200 hertz on your track. However cut this frequency if you want to get rid of a booming bass in your mix. If you want your bass drum to cut through your mix then you should boost it around 80 hertz, this will make your bass drum stand out in your mix. You should however notch most other instruments at this frequency to clear the space in the frequency. Cutting and electric guitar off around 80 hertz’s is also advised in your mix. If your bass instruments are as dominant as you would like them to be in your mix you should boost their frequency around 80-200 hertz. If your music has no breathing space you should create notches and scoops around 100-4k hertz. This will create a sense of space in your mix and all your instruments will start to have there own area in the mix.

Tips for mid to high end frequencies

3-7k hertz is where the vocals sibilance rests in your mix, boosting this frequency will create a sense of volume in your vocals.If your vocals are being over powered in your mix then you should boost it’s frequency around 4khz this will make it more present in your mix. 4.5 khz is a frequency that is extremely tiring on your ears, this frequency should be notched in your music to protect your ears. Adding 9-15khz will add sparkle and shimmer to your music and shine light on this smallest details in your mix. Cutting this frequency will cut out harsh tones and darken the mix of your track. Boost 10khz to add clarity to acoustic instruments and add a sense of air in your mix.

EQ instrumental breakdown

Vocals	sibilance (7.5 – 10 kilo hertz) presence (5 kilo hertz) boom (200 – 240 kilo hertz) fullness (120 hertz)
Electric guitar	full sound (240 hertz) bite (2.4 kilo hertz) air and sizzle (8 kilo hertz)
Bass guitar	string noise (2.5 kilo hertz) attack (700 – 1000 kilo hertz) bottom end (60 – 80 hertz)
Snare	Fatness (240 hertz) crisp (5 kilo hertz)
Kick drum	bottom (60 – 80 hertz) slap (4 kilo hertz)
Hi- hat and cymbals	sizzle (7.5 – 10 kilo hertz) Clank (200 hertz)
Toms	attack (5 kilo hertz) fullness (120 – 240 hertz)
Acoustic guitar	harshness and bite (2 kHz) boom (120 ‐ 200 Hz) cut (7 ‐ 10 kHz)

Reading List

Mayzes, R., 2015. How to Use EQ: 10 Amazing Tips for a Professional Mix. [online] Musician on a Mission. Available at: <https://www.musicianonamission.com/approach-equalization-two-types-eq/> [Accessed 12 May 2021].

V, F., 2011. EQ tips Cheat Sheet. [online] Cheatography. Available at: <https://cheatography.com/fredv/cheat-sheets/eq-tips/> [Accessed 12 May 2021].