Equalizer (Tips)

Equalizer (Tips)

Usually, it's better to try cutting first, than boosting.
Many people begin to boost a frequency they "like". Then they realize that some frequencies are missing and they boost them. Then again they do the same thing and they have the exact same sound but louder.


When you cut try narrow Q and when you boost wide.
It's not necessary doing this, but usually keeps the sound "normal" and almost noone can understand that the sound have been EQed. Over-EQing is not a good idea, unless you want to achieve a weird (but nice I hope) sound.


When EQing, and generally mixing, adjust your sound with all the channels active.
When a sound sounds great in solo in may suck with the whole mix so adjust the sound with all the instruments playing.


Make room for other instruments.
Cut as many frequencies you can to make room for the mix.
Try not to totally change the sound of the instrument, go easy at EQing.
Making room help the instruments to be more clear without being forced to be louder and destroy your mix.


Remove bass from bass.
- What? Are you crazy?
- I know.. I know.. Seems weird but many producers remove the low bass from their bass track. 30hz and below are pretty useless even for bass.
Try using a highpass filter to your bass. You'll have the same clarity of it without its mudiness. Start from 30hz and keep rolling off upper frequencies till you find the right spot. You won't believe how "light" and clean is your mix now.


Update from forum member punkyguy
Better solo the instruments when performing surgical stuff.
As explained above it's better to eq with all the solos active, but making the track sound better in solo only with cutting useless frequencies helps you to edit more with all the tracks active later (if needed).


Hi-pass and low-pass almost anything
Get rid of the frequencies that your instrument does not need.
For example:
Hi-passing your distorted guitar at about 100hz and low-passing at 12-13Khz can be a life-savior.