Equalizer audio settings7/30/2023 ![]() So for example, if you want to remove some bass then you would generally start at the low end of the scale. The lower numbers are bass frequencies and the higher ones are treble frequencies. How do you know what frequency to choose? This is a combination of experience, educated guesswork and experimentation. Most EQ plugins operate in a very similar way, so if you have used one then you will probably be absolutely fine using a different one. You can change the frequency by typing in the actual value in the text box, moving the slider or actually dragging the number around on the graph with your mouse. I have made a cut of -4dB at the frequency 960 Hz. Look at this example screenshot from the ReaEQ plugin from the Reaper DAW… This is roughly the range of human hearing. The range of frequencies you can choose in a typical EQ plugin goes from about 20Hz up to about 20kHz. This one is reasonably simple to understand this is the frequency you have chosen to cut or boost.įrequency is measured in Hertz ( Hz), with 1 kiloHertz (kHz) being the same as 1000 Hz. Let’s take a look at each of the settings in turn and discover exactly what each number means and what it controls… Frequency Every single one of the numbers or parameters controls some aspect of this cutting/boosting. When you open up an EQ plugin for the first time, it can look like a whole lot of gibberish numbers and graphs that don’t mean diddly squat to anyone!Īctually, all the settings are there to help achieve the fundamental purpose of EQ cutting and/or boosting frequencies. It will help you make an informed choice to get the best results for your music. My article comparing 3rd party and stock plugins answers this question, and is recommended reading if you are considering using any sort of plugin in your next musical project. There has long been a debate about whether stock plugins are good enough, or if you should really use 3rd party plugins for the best results. ![]() All the screenshots in this article are of ReaEQ, which is the stock EQ plugin in Reaper, my DAW of choice. I use stock EQ plugins, as they have always been perfectly capable for my needs. For example, the FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ plugin is used by many producers in pro studios all over the world. There are also many paid EQ plugins available, some of which have become considered to be industry standard. If you are unsure what a DAW is, I highly recommend reading my guide to music recording software which should help give you a firm understanding of what a DAW can do. The vast majority of DAWs come supplied with stock EQ plugins, which are usually excellent. There are many, many EQ plugins available. It is EQ’s fundamental purpose.ĮQ can be done in a physical hardware equalizer, or much more commonly today in an EQ plugin in a DAW. This is what EQ does: controls the amount of each frequency in a sound. We can either increase the amount of that frequency (a boost), or decrease it (a cut). We can change the character of that sound by changing the amount of a particular frequency in it that we choose to alter. It is how our ears can tell the difference between the sound of say, a flute and a trumpet. Which frequencies, and how much of each of them there is, give the sound its particular character. This unique sound is made up of certain frequencies. A piano, human speech, a car engine, a pneumatic drill, a whistle, all have their own distinctive sound. We can’t really start discussing EQ numbers and settings in detail unless we are fairly clear on what EQ actually is.Įvery sound has particular unique characteristics. If you are interested in checking out the best recording gear such as audio interfaces, studio monitor speakers, microphones, etc., you can find them at Amazon by clicking here. It clears up some of the confusion novice mixers often have, and helps you avoid some common mixing pitfalls. I highly recommended you check it out if you are new to mixing. That’s why I wrote a beginners guide to mixing. Mixing in general, not just EQ, can be incredibly confusing and overwhelming for beginners. Continue reading to discover what EQ numbers mean, and how to interpret them. With it being such a powerful tool, EQ is essential to learn early on in your music recording, mixing or production journey. ![]() A cut/boost is made to a frequency (in Hz), the gain (in dB) is the amount of cut/boost, and the bandwidth (in octaves) is how many surrounding frequencies are affected. The three most important numbers are frequency, gain, and bandwidth. However, I found if the meanings of EQ numbers and settings are laid out simply and clearly, then EQ becomes a lot less difficult to understand and much easier to use.ĮQ numbers state how a cut or boost affects the sound. Equalization (EQ) was always one of the most challenging aspects of music production for me to learn when I was first starting out.
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