How do I set EQ settings?

What is an EQ?

An equalizer (EQ) is an audio tool that allows you to adjust the balance between frequency bands in an audio signal. The main purpose of an EQ is to allow boosting or attenuating (turning up or down) specific frequency ranges independently so you can shape the overall frequency response (spectrum) of audio.

There are several types of EQs used in music production and audio engineering:

• Graphic EQs – Allow adjustment of fixed frequency bands using sliders.
• Parametric EQs – Allow adjustment of any frequency, bandwidth (Q), and gain.
• Shelf EQs – Boost or cut an entire frequency range above or below a set cutoff point.
• Dynamic EQs – Automatically adjust EQ bands based on audio content.

EQ enables you to solve problems in a mix by attenuating frequencies that are overly dominant or boosting ranges that need more presence. It’s one of the most important tools for getting instruments to fit together in a mix. Proper EQ technique takes experience, but can make the difference between an amateur and professional sounding mix.

EQ Basics

EQ, or equalization, allows you to adjust the amplitude of audio signals at particular frequencies. The most important frequencies to understand when EQing are bass, midrange, and treble.

The bass frequencies, generally between 60-250 Hz, control the low end and add warmth. Boosting bass can make sounds fuller and more powerful. Cutting bass can tighten up muddy sounds. Too much boosting in this range can lead to muddiness.

The midrange frequencies, usually between 250 Hz – 2 kHz, control the clarity and punch of sounds. Boosting midrange brings sounds forward in the mix. Cutting midrange pushes sounds back. Too much boosting can make sounds honky or harsh.

The treble frequencies above 2 kHz control the brightness and presence. Boosting treble adds shimmer and clarity. Cutting treble smooths out harsh sounds. Too much boosting can add sibilance and fatigue.

Understanding the impact of these key frequency ranges allows you to strategically cut and boost to shape the overall tone and balance of your audio. Whether EQing individual tracks or the full mix, this frequency knowledge guides your adjustments.¹

Choosing EQ Settings

There are several factors that determine the ideal EQ settings, including music genre, listening environment, and playback system. The goal of EQ is to enhance the listening experience and make the audio sound its best for your particular setup.

For music genres like rock, pop, and electronic that emphasize drums and bass, boosting the low end around 60-100 Hz can add punch and impact. For genres like classical, folk, and jazz, reducing lower frequencies around 125-250 Hz can minimize muddiness. Boosting 1-5 kHz can add clarity to vocals for many music types.

Your listening environment also impacts EQ needs. In a smaller room, boosting bass can make it overwhelming, while large rooms may need that extra low end. Hard, reflective surfaces like tile require cutting some highs to prevent harshness. Soft furnishings allow boosting treble without fatigue.

Headphones, earbuds, and different speaker systems have unique frequency responses. Compare their sound profiles and adjust EQ accordingly. For example, boosting highs on darker headphones or reducing bass on boomier speakers. Consider equipment quality and how it pairs with your audio source too.

It’s helpful to choose a specific music track in the genre you listen to most, then experiment with incremental EQ changes to hear the audible difference. Trust your ears to find the sweet spot that brings out the emotions in the music.

EQing for Different Genres

When EQing for different music genres, it’s important to understand the unique sonic characteristics of each genre. Setting the EQ appropriately can help bring out the best aspects of the music. Here are some tips for EQing the most common genres:

For rock music, you typically want to boost the midrange anywhere from 500Hz to 1000Hz to emphasize the crunch and distortion of electric guitars. Also consider boosting 16kHz by a few dB to add air and sparkle. Reduce lower midrange around 200-400Hz to control muddiness.

With pop music, focus on carving out the vital midrange 1-5kHz where the vocals lie. Do a slight boost around 10kHz for added clarity and shimmer. Reduce around 250Hz to minimize muddiness from boomy bass.

For hip-hop and dance music, you’ll want extended sub-bass, so boost 60-100Hz. Boost 1-2kHz range for vocals to cut through the mix. Cut around 400Hz to reduce mids-bass mud.

For classical music, go for a smooth, natural response. Boost the lower treble around 5kHz for air and realism, reduce around 400Hz to tighten up the bass. Avoid excessive boosts or cuts.

With jazz and acoustic music, you’ll want to highlight the natural timbre and warmth. Boost 180-300Hz for rich low-mids and around 5kHz for detail. Avoid boosting bass too much.

For EDM and synth-based music, boost sub-bass 60-120Hz and 16kHz treble. Scoop out the mids between 500Hz-5kHz for clarity. Use high and low pass filters to focus energy at the extremes.

It’s always best to let your ears be the guide when EQing. Listen critically and tweak until the music sounds its best. Small subtle boosts and cuts tend to work better than drastic changes.

EQing for Headphones

EQing headphones requires some different considerations compared to EQing speakers. This is because headphones sit directly on or in your ears, so there is no interaction with the room acoustics. The sound from headphones goes straight into your ears without any reflections or reverberation.

Headphones also tend to have more coloration in their frequency response compared to speakers. This means certain frequencies may be emphasized or lacking. For example, some headphones boost the bass while others have rolled-off highs. Using EQ can help compensate for the innate coloration of different headphone models.

When EQing headphones, start by identifying any major coloration issues. If the bass is bloated, try cutting 100-200 Hz. If the treble is too sharp, attenuate around 5-10 kHz. Apply broad cuts and boosts at first. Then make smaller adjustments to refine the EQ curve.

Since headphones are so close to your ears, even small EQ adjustments can make noticeable differences. Take your time and listen carefully as you tweak the settings. Pay attention to how things sound at different volume levels.

Try EQing for different music genres as headphones may benefit from different settings based on the mix. Hip hop often needs more bass emphasis while classical needs an even frequency response. Make presets for genres you listen to frequently.

Lastly, be careful not to drastically overdo EQ with headphones. Pushing certain frequencies too hard can cause listening fatigue quicker. Subtle, natural sounding EQ usually works best.

EQing for Speakers

When EQing for speakers, it’s important to consider the room acoustics and speaker placement, as these can significantly impact the overall frequency response. The physical characteristics of the room like size, shape, building materials, and furnishings all affect how soundwaves bounce around and interact (known as room modes). Certain frequencies may be amplified or muted based on room geometry. Placing speakers properly relative to nearby walls and room boundaries can help minimize excessive bass buildup and other anomalies. Strategic speaker positioning, acoustic treatment, and EQ adjustments can work together to flatten the in-room response.

As a rule of thumb for speaker EQ, target a neutral frequency response across the audible range, avoiding drastic peaks or valleys. Start with speaker crossover settings optimized for the speaker model and configuration. Many AV receivers or speaker processors have an auto-EQ calibration process using a microphone which can get you close to an optimal curve. From there you can make manual tweaks via graphic or parametric EQ sliders to fine tune bass, mids, and highs. Cut any boomy, resonant bass spikes and fill in any major dips in mids or highs to achieve smooth playback. Be careful not to overdo cuts or boosts which can degrade sound. Listen from the central sweet spot when adjusting EQ.

Depending on speaker placement, room modes may still cause some resonant frequencies or nulls at particular listening positions that can’t be fully EQ’d out. But a balanced EQ curve tailored to your speakers and room will provide the most neutral, full-range frequency response possible. This gives you an accurate representation of the source material.

Graphic EQ Walkthrough

A graphic equalizer, commonly known as a graphic EQ, provides a visual representation of the different frequency bands and allows you to adjust the level of each band individually. It gets its name from the graphical sliders that represent each frequency band. Using a graphic EQ involves a few key steps:

First, access the graphic EQ in your audio software or hardware interface. There will be a number of sliders, often ranging from around 10 to 30, each representing a frequency band. The lowest frequencies like bass will be on the left, while the highest treble frequencies are on the right.

Next, identify which areas need boosting or cutting. For example, to add more bass, raise the sliders on the left side. To reduce overly bright highs, lower the far right treble sliders. The midrange sliders in the center affect guitars, vocals, and other mid-heavy instruments.

When boosting frequencies, add no more than +3 to +6dB. For cutting frequencies, -3 to -6dB is also a good range. More dramatic boosts or cuts can sound unnatural. It’s better to make smaller adjustments to hone in on the right tone.

Finally, don’t go overboard. Having all sliders boosted won’t make the audio better, but rather just increase the overall volume.Aim for a relatively flat response with selective boosts and cuts as needed. Listen critically and fine tune the EQ iteratively until you achieve the desired tonal balance. Graphic EQs give powerful control, but require a thoughtful approach and careful listening to use effectively.

Source: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf6uCwsQdyQtdmwdkI5do0jDcCigTboka

Parametric EQ Walkthrough

A parametric EQ allows you to adjust the frequency, gain, and Q (or bandwidth) parameters for each band. This gives you precise control over the EQ curve.

To use a parametric EQ:

1. Select a frequency to adjust using the frequency knob or slider. Center frequencies between 100 Hz – 8 kHz tend to be most impactful for EQing.
2. Boost or cut the gain at that frequency using the gain knob or slider. This will increase or decrease the volume at that frequency.
3. Adjust the Q or bandwidth. A lower Q value will widen the bands, affecting a larger range of frequencies. A higher Q narrows the band, honing in on the exact center frequency.

The power of a parametric EQ is being able to pinpoint and alter precise frequencies. For example, you can attenuate harsh resonant frequencies or boost weak frequencies to shape the overall tone. Using a combination of narrow and wide Q values gives you surgical control over the frequency response.

EQ Plugins

When it comes to EQ plugins, using a dedicated third-party EQ plugin can provide more flexibility and better sound quality compared to the stock EQ that comes with your DAW. Some of the top EQ plugins for mixing and mastering include:

FabFilter Pro-Q 3 – An advanced parametric EQ plugin with excellent sound quality and a clean interface. It allows for up to 24 bands of EQ and has features like dynamic EQ and Mid/Side processing.

Waves API 550 – Models the sound of API’s famous analog hardware EQ. It has 10 bands of EQ modeling the original circuits for an authentic vintage tone.

IK Multimedia T-Racks – Provides a suite of EQs and mastering tools, including vintage style EQs modeled after real hardware units.

While the stock EQ included in most DAWs can get the job done, using a high-quality third-party EQ plugin gives you more precision and better sound shaping capabilities for professional mixing and mastering work.

Conclusion

EQ gives you powerful control over your music. Learning to use EQ takes time and experimentation, but the payoff is worth it. With practice, you’ll start to understand how boosting or cutting frequencies can enhance different instruments and achieve the sound you want.

The most important takeaways are:

• EQ boosts or cuts specific frequency bands to shape your music’s tone.
• Graphic EQs use sliders to control multiple frequency bands.
• Parametric EQs allow more surgical control over fewer bands.
• Every genre and listening environment benefits from custom EQ settings.
• Training your ears is crucial – keep tweaking and listening critically.
• Subtle EQ moves often sound best – avoid drastic boosts or cuts.

With the right EQ approach and a trained ear, you can give your music more clarity, warmth, punch, sparkle, and more. Experiment often to find the optimal settings for every situation. EQ is an art as well as a science – let your ears guide you to great sound.