PPC Guide to EQ Types - Part 2

In a previous feature Ian Waugh looked at the types of EQ you're likely to find in modern music software. Here he offers a few tips on how to use it.

EQ is short for equalisation and, as the name suggests, it was originally used to equalise recordings or compensate for recording inaccuracies. This is was in the days when recording equipment was known to have shortcomings and EQ was used to compensate for their deficiencies.

Now, however, EQ is seen as an effect in its own right. Modern recording equipment can record with high accuracy and quality so, strictly speaking, EQ should not be needed to 'equalise' but it is used to enhance.

It's very easy to go overboard with EQ. You think a part needs more bass so you boost the bass. Then, because of the bass boost, the high end seems a little thin so you boost the high end. Then the middle isn't pulling its weight so you boost the middle - and you're back where you started from.

As with most areas of recording, EQ is as much art as science but here are a few tips to get you on the road to creative EQing.

• Don't expect to be able to 'fix it in the mix'. You can 'fix up' recordings to a degree with EQ and other processes but it's far, far better to have good material to work with from the off so make the best recordings you can.
• Try to think in terms of cutting frequencies rather than boosting them. Boosting increases frequencies but it also increases noise, too.
• If you do boost, keep an eye on the level metres. Boosting will increase the overall amplitude of the signal and could cause distortion if the output is not trimmed.
• Use a paragraphic EQ or band filters to home in on a bass or snare drum, for example, to add some punch.
• Likewise, use a paragraphic filter to reduce boomy bass areas.
• Use a high shelf filter to add sparkle by boosting the upper range.

There are no hard and fast rules about which frequencies to tweak with which instruments to achieve a particular result because instruments and recordings vary. However, we can offer a few guidelines to get you started. As with all music production - let your ears be your guide.

• Most bass parts - kick drums and bass guitar - are in the 50-200Hz range. Boost around 60-80Hz to add punch.
• For a general 'more bass effect' try the area around 80-120Hz for the low end and between 2-4kHz for the mid range.
• The 'muddiness' area is around 250-800Hz. Many sounds inhabit this range and too many can cause, er, muddiness. Drums and bass guitars can sound particularly muddy around 300Hz so try cutting round this area to reduce the mud.
• Vocals vary enormously not only from singer to singer but the Mic uses also has an effect on the sound. For more in-yer-face, boost around 100-200Hz. For more presence boost between 1-6kHz, but don't overdo it.
• Guitars also cover a wide range of frequencies and tonal variations. 100-25kHz can add body while the 6kHz area can often be boosted to add zing and brightness.
• Our ears are naturally attuned to the 1-5kHz range so give this a little boost to add presence.
• EQ is as much art as science so feel free to ignore any of these suggestions...

Ian Waugh
Read More of Ian's music reviews and tips at www.making-music.com