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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 known 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.
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