How do I control EQ on YouTube?
Equalization (EQ) allows you to adjust the balance of different frequency bands in an audio signal. On YouTube, EQ can be used to customize the listening experience and compensate for audio issues that may occur. Proper EQ settings can enhance the quality of music, podcasts, and videos on YouTube.
Why adjust EQ at all on YouTube? The audio on YouTube can sometimes sound muffled, tinny, or generally imbalanced. This may be due to the audio encoding methods YouTube uses, or limitations of the speakers/headphones you are listening with. Applying EQ allows you to boost or attenuate specific frequency ranges to suit your listening setup and preferences.
Getting the right EQ settings can bring out details in music you’ve never heard before on YouTube, make voices clearer for podcast listening, and generally improve your listening experience across all types of content.
What is EQ?
EQ stands for equalization, and it refers to adjusting the volume of specific frequency ranges within an audio signal (Armada Music). The most common implementation is a graphic equalizer, which provides slider controls for boosting or cutting bands of frequencies like bass, midrange, and treble.
Equalization enables shaping the frequency spectrum of audio to achieve a desired tonal balance. For example, boosting the low frequencies adds more bass, while attenuating the highs creates a darker, warmer sound. Conversely, emphasizing the high and upper mid frequencies brings out more brightness and clarity (Wikipedia). Therefore, EQ gives precise control over the sonic qualities of audio.
Overall, EQ is an essential audio processing tool for tailoring frequency responses in music production, audio engineering, and listening playback. It allows accentuating or attenuating specific tonal qualities to suit creative needs and listening preferences.
Why Adjust EQ on YouTube?
Adjusting the EQ when listening to YouTube videos can provide several audio benefits. EQ allows you to boost or attenuate specific frequency ranges, which can help improve the listening experience. Some key benefits of adjusting EQ on YouTube include:
Boosting hard to hear frequencies – EQ can help accentuate subtle sounds in the mid to high frequency ranges that may get lost on YouTube otherwise. For example, boosting the 1-4kHz range slightly can help highlight vocals and lead instruments.
Reducing harsh tones – Certain frequencies can sound overly harsh or shrill on YouTube, especially in the 2-5kHz range. Attenuating these frequencies with EQ can smooth out the harshness.
Fixing tinny or muddy sound – Improper EQ balance on YouTube can make the audio sound tinny (too much high end) or muddy (too much low end). Adjusting the EQ can help balance the frequency spectrum.
Enhancing bass – YouTube’s audio compression can reduce dynamic range, including weakening deep bass. Boosting 60-100Hz with EQ can bring out the low end.
Minimizing headphone fatigue – Excessive high frequencies can cause listening fatigue over time. Attenuating around 8-10kHz slightly can provide a smoother, more relaxed sound.
Adjusting for different genres – Different music genres have varying frequency characteristics. EQ allows tailoring the sound signature to best match rock, pop, hip hop, classical, etc.
Overall, having the ability to adjust EQ opens up more options for enhancing the listening experience on YouTube videos.
YouTube’s Built-In EQ Controls
YouTube actually has some basic built-in EQ controls that allow you to adjust the sound right within the platform. To access these controls on the desktop site, go to any video and click on the settings icon in the bottom right corner. This will open up a menu where you can select “Quality.” Under this menu, you’ll see several EQ presets like “Bass boost,” “Treble boost,” “Vocal boost,” and more.
Selecting one of these presets will adjust the sound profile for that video. For example, choosing “Bass boost” will increase the low-end frequencies, bringing out more punch from basslines and kicks. Meanwhile, “Treble boost” highlights the highs, accentuating guitars, cymbals, and other instruments with higher register. The vocal boost does as the name implies – boosting midrange frequencies to make vocals clearer.
These EQ options are applied on a per-video basis, so you’ll need to manually select it each time you start a new video if you want to maintain the adjusted EQ profile. While rudimentary compared to more advanced EQ plugins and system-wide options, YouTube’s built-in presets do provide a quick way to alter the listening experience right within the platform.
Source: The Strange Built In EQ on the MPC1000 – YouTube
Browser Extension EQ Plugins
One easy way to control EQ on YouTube is by installing a browser extension or plugin that provides an equalizer. Popular options for Chrome include:
Equalizer for YouTubeTM – This extension lets you adjust the audio balance between frequency components for YouTube videos. It offers presets like Classical and Pop, as well as custom EQ adjustment.
Audio Equalizer for YouTubeTM – Provides an equalizer for Chrome users to customize the sound of YouTube videos. It has options for 31 frequency bands.
These extensions are easy to setup and give you granular control over EQ when listening to YouTube videos in Chrome. They allow you to boost or reduce specific frequency ranges to achieve your ideal listening experience.
System-Wide EQ Adjustment
To adjust the EQ system-wide so that it affects YouTube and other audio playback, there are a few options available depending on your device and operating system.
On Windows 10 or 11, you can use the built-in Equalizer APO software to apply system-wide audio effects and EQ. This free program lets you configure the EQ and effects through an intuitive UI and will process audio globally across your system (source).
For iOS devices, it’s possible to set up a system-wide EQ by utilizing the Apple Health app. You can go through the audiogram setup and configure an EQ curve based on simulated hearing tests. This audio profile will then apply to system audio including YouTube (source).
On a Mac, apps like SoundSource and Boom 3D provide system-level EQ that can be finely customized. There are both free and paid versions available. These will let you dial in EQ settings and effects that process audio globally, including web videos (source).
The advantage of system-wide EQ like this is that it lets you consistently apply customized audio tweaks that optimize listening experiences across all applications. The downside is that it may require installing additional software and learning new configuration interfaces.
EQ on Mobile Devices
YouTube’s mobile apps provide various EQ controls to customize the listening experience on smartphones and tablets. The EQ options differ across iOS and Android devices.
On iOS, open the YouTube Music app and tap on the song that’s playing. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Equalizer”. This allows you to choose from EQ presets like Bass Booster, Classical, Dance, Flat, and Treble Booster. You can also manually adjust the different frequency bands.
For Android, open the YouTube Music app settings and select “Equalizer”. Choose from presets like Acoustic, Bass Booster, Dance, Flat, Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock, and Treble Booster. Some Android devices may include additional system-wide EQ settings under Sound settings that can be applied to YouTube Music.
Alternatively, Android users can download third-party EQ apps like Equalizer FX from the Google Play Store to get more advanced EQ adjustment capabilities for YouTube Music and other audio apps.
Overall, while limited compared to desktop options, mobile YouTube apps provide basic EQ customization to help optimize the audio experience on phones and tablets.
Recommended EQ Settings
The optimal EQ settings on YouTube can vary depending on your listening preferences and the type of audio content. Here are some recommended presets to try for different listening needs:
Enhanced Bass
Boost the low frequencies between 60-150Hz to bring out the bass in hip-hop, EDM, and other music genres. Reduce 2-5kHz slightly to allow the low end to shine. Example EQ settings:
60Hz: +3dB
100Hz: +5dB
150Hz: +3dB
2kHz: -2dB
5kHz: -3dB
Clear Vocals
Slightly boost clarity frequencies between 2-5kHz to highlight vocals and lead instruments. Reduce below 500Hz to minimize muddiness. Example EQ settings:
125Hz: -2dB
500Hz: -1dB
2kHz: +2dB
5kHz: +3dB
Sparkling Highs
Increase between 8-16kHz to add airiness and detail to music, podcasts, and videos. Cut around 200Hz to reduce boominess. Example EQ settings:
200Hz: -2dB
8kHz: +3dB
16kHz: +5dB
Try these presets as a starting point and adjust to your preferences. The ideal EQ profile depends on your listening setup and audio content.
Limitations of YouTube EQ
Although YouTube’s built-in EQ controls and browser extensions allow you to adjust the EQ specifically for YouTube, there are some limitations to be aware of. The main limitation is that any EQ adjustment made only affects the audio on YouTube videos, and does not impact the system-wide EQ 1. So any EQ changes will not carry over to other applications on your device. Additionally, the quality of the audio after applying EQ depends heavily on the quality of the original audio uploaded to YouTube. If the audio was poorly recorded or compressed initially, boosting certain frequencies may actually make it sound worse. There is only so much that can be done with EQ if the source material is low quality to begin with. Other streaming services may offer better tools for adjusting EQ. So while it’s convenient to have basic EQ controls within YouTube, there are definite limitations in terms of audio quality and system-wide impact. Proper monitoring and EQ should ideally be applied during the initial recording and mastering process.
Conclusion
In summary, adjusting the EQ when listening to audio on YouTube can significantly improve your listening experience. The right EQ settings can help compensate for audio quality issues, match your listening preferences, and allow you to hear details you might otherwise miss.
The built-in EQ controls in the YouTube app provide a simple way to quickly adjust the bass, midrange, and treble. Browser extensions like Equalizer for YouTube give you more advanced parametric EQ options. And system-wide EQ software can tune the audio output of your entire device.
While EQ adjustments on YouTube have limits, they can help make the audio more clear, balanced, and enjoyable. Taking the time to find the right EQ settings for your listening setup and taste can transform how you experience music, ASMR, videos, and other content on YouTube.
Overall, learning how to control EQ on YouTube gives you more power over your listening experience, allows you to compensate for audio deficiencies, and opens up a world of sonic details you may have been missing.