Adding Eq or
Equalization to an Audio Recording
Important Frequencies - Eq or equalization is the process of cutting some frequencies of sound
while boosting others. For our purposes well assume you have each instrument
recorded on an individual track. If you don't then skip ahead to mastering for
more help. First of all we recommend cutting frequencies instead of boosting the
ones you want to be more prominent. For example if you want to boost the bass
frequencies on your kick drum instead of raising the
frequency
at 100HZ lower all other frequencies by a decibel or two. Then if you want to
boost the top end at 300 HZ then just raise the lever or button controlling the
300HZ frequency back to the zero level better know to engineers as unity gain.
Leave all the other frequencies where they are and you are all set.
Why not boost
frequencies? - The reason is that when
you boost volume with an Eq you are essentially making it a preamp which it was
not designed for and it is not very good at, adding unwanted artifacts to your
recording. Once your done boost the overall volume a bit to bring the
track back up into the mix. Now that we know how to Eq we will cover the important frequencies that
we can experiment with to make each instrument sound better.
Snare - a slight boost at 100Hz will
give it more bottom end. A slight drop at 250 to 750Hz will eliminate a
cardboard sounding snare. A little boost at 5Khz through 10 Khz will brighten
the snare a bit.
Vocals
- a slight drop at 200Hz will give it more
definition and make it stand out. A little boost at 3Khz and 7Khz through 10Khz
will brighten the vocal a bit.
Bass drum - a slight boost at 100Hz
will give it more bottom end. A slight drop at 250 to 750Hz will eliminate a
cardboard sounding drum.
Toms Eq
- a slight boost at 100Hz
will give it more bottom end. A slight drop at 350 to 700Hz will eliminate a
cardboard sounding tom. A little boost at 5Khz will brighten the tom a bit.
Remember if you combined toms and overheads to keep them in mind while mixing
here. If so then add a little boost at 8Khz through 10Khz
Overheads - add a little boost at
8Khz through 10Khz to brighten them. Remember if you combined toms and overheads
to keep them in mind while mixing here. (See above)
Electric Guitar
- a slight boost at 100Hz will give it more
bottom end. A slight drop at 250 to 500Hz will eliminate some harsh frequencies.
A little boost at 750Hz will brighten the sound a bit. A tiny boost in the high
frequencies like 1Khz, 3Khz, 5Khz, 8Khz, 10Khz. Experiment to get the best sound
possible.
Acoustic guitar
- a slight drop at 100Hz will give it less
boominess. A slight drop at 300 will eliminate some harsh frequencies. A little
boost at 750Hz will brighten the sound a bit. A tiny boost in the high
frequencies like 700 Hz, 1.2 Khz, 5Khz, 8Khz, 10Khz. Experiment to get the best
sound possible.
Piano
- a slight drop at 100Hz will give it less bottom
end if needed. Add a little boost at 8Khz through10Khz to brighten the sound but
use judiciously here.
Bass Guitar -
a slight boost at 100Hz will give it more bottom end. A slight boost at 2.5 Khz
will give the bass more presence.
Mastering - Next check out the final stage
Mastering.
Other Items of Interest
- Also while your
here feel free to check out our record label
Silver Dragon
Records and see what we can offer your band in terms of recording and other
services. Also check out
Lazarus X
Houston's hottest local band and their new
CD release
Weapon of Love or
download a free mp3 for a limited time.
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