Complete EQ Guide: Beginner to Pro

EQ Fundamentals

What is EQ?

EQ adjusts volume of specific frequency ranges (bass, mids, treble).

Main Controls

• Frequency: Which range to adjust (measured in Hz)
• Gain: How much to boost/cut (measured in dB, 18dB typical)
• Q (bandwidth): How wide the adjustment (0.5 = broad, 10 = surgical)

Å Complete Frequency Chart (20Hz-20kHz)

Tip: Print this chart. Refer to it constantly until you memorize frequencies.

Filter Types

1. Bell (Parametric)

• Shape: Bump centered at frequency
• Use: Broad tone shaping (boost/cut mids)
• Q setting: 0.5-3.0 (broad to medium)

2. High-Pass Filter (HPF)

• Shape: Removes frequencies BELOW cutoff
• Use: Remove rumble/mud (essential on most tracks)
• Typical settings: 80-100Hz on vocals, 30Hz on kick

3. Low-Pass Filter (LPF)

• Shape: Removes frequencies ABOVE cutoff
• Use: Tame harshness (electric guitars, synths)
• Typical settings: 8-12kHz

4. Shelf

• Shape: Boosts/cuts all frequencies above/below point
• Use: Broad highs/lows adjustment (air, bass)
• Example: Low shelf at 100Hz (+3dB) adds warmth

Subtractive vs Additive EQ

Golden Rule: Cut Before You Boost

Why?

• Cutting: Removes problems, sounds natural
• Boosting: Adds coloration, eats headroom

Workflow

1. Identify problem: Sweep with narrow Q (Q=10), boost +12dB
2. Find harsh frequency: When it sounds bad, you found it
3. Cut it: Switch to cut -3 to -6dB, widen Q to 2-3
4. Check result: Should sound cleaner
5. Only then boost: Add sparkle/presence if needed

Exception: Boost is OK for creative tone shaping (Pultec EQ style).

Q Width: Surgical vs Broad

Narrow Q (5-10): Surgical EQ

• Use: Remove specific problem (resonance, ring)
• Example: Snare ring at 850Hz ‘ ‘„¢ cut -6dB, Q=8
• Warning: Sounds unnatural if overused

Medium Q (1-3): Standard

• Use: General tone shaping
• Most common setting

Wide Q (0.5-1): Broad Strokes

• Use: Gentle warmth/air adjustments
• Example: Vocal air +2dB at 10kHz, Q=0.7
• Sounds natural

Rule of thumb: Cut narrow, boost wide.

Instrument-Specific EQ: Vocals

Male Vocals

• HPF: 80-100Hz (remove rumble)
• Cut: 200-400Hz (-2 to -4dB, Q=2) ‘ ‘„¢ removes mud
• Boost: 3-5kHz (+2 to +4dB, Q=1.5) ‘ ‘„¢ clarity
• Boost: 10-12kHz (+2dB, Q=0.7) ‘ ‘„¢ air
• De-ess: 5-8kHz (dynamic EQ or de-esser plugin)

Female Vocals

• HPF: 100-120Hz
• Cut: 250-500Hz (-2 to -3dB) ‘ ‘„¢ reduces boxiness
• Boost: 5-8kHz (+3 to +5dB) ‘ ‘„¢ presence
• Boost: 12kHz (+2dB) ‘ ‘„¢ shimmer

Drums

Kick Drum

• HPF: 30-40Hz (remove sub-rumble unless 808)
• Boost: 60-80Hz (+3 to +6dB) ‘ ‘„¢ sub punch
• Cut: 300-500Hz (-3dB) ‘ ‘„¢ removes cardboard sound
• Boost: 3-5kHz (+2 to +4dB) ‘ ‘„¢ beater click

Snare

• HPF: 80-100Hz
• Cut: 300-400Hz (-3 to -5dB) ‘ ‘„¢ removes boxy tone
• Boost: 200Hz (+2dB) ‘ ‘„¢ body (if thin)
• Boost: 3-5kHz (+3 to +5dB) ‘ ‘„¢ snap
• Boost: 10kHz (+2dB) ‘ ‘„¢ air

Hi-Hats & Cymbals

• HPF: 300-500Hz (remove bleed)
• Cut: 1-2kHz (-2dB) ‘ ‘„¢ reduces harshness
• Boost: 8-12kHz (+2 to +4dB) ‘ ‘„¢ sparkle

Å Bass Guitar

• HPF: 30-40Hz (leave room for kick)
• Boost: 60-100Hz (+2 to +4dB) ‘ ‘„¢ low-end power
• Cut: 250-400Hz (-2 to -3dB) ‘ ‘„¢ reduces mud
• Boost: 1-2kHz (+2 to +4dB) ‘ ‘„¢ pick attack/definition

Guitars

Electric Guitar

• HPF: 80-120Hz (make room for bass)
• Cut: 200-400Hz (-3 to -5dB) ‘ ‘„¢ removes boxiness
• Boost: 2-4kHz (+2 to +4dB) ‘ ‘„¢ presence
• LPF: 8-10kHz (tame fizz if needed)

Acoustic Guitar

• HPF: 80-100Hz
• Cut: 200-300Hz (-2 to -3dB) ‘ ‘„¢ reduces muddiness
• Boost: 5-8kHz (+2 to +4dB) ‘ ‘„¢ sparkle
• Boost: 12kHz (+1 to +2dB) ‘ ‘„¢ air

Advanced Techniques

1. Dynamic EQ

• What: EQ that activates only when signal exceeds threshold
• Use: De-essing, taming harsh peaks
• Example: Cut 6kHz by -6dB only when vocal hits loud S sounds
• Plugin: FabFilter Pro-Q 4 (dynamic EQ mode)

2. Mid/Side EQ

• Mid: Center mono signal (vocals, kick, snare)
• Side: Stereo information (reverb, guitars, synths)
• Technique: Boost highs on SIDE only ‘ ‘„¢ wider stereo

3. Match EQ

• What: AI analyzes reference track, applies EQ to match
• Use: Get ballpark tone quickly
• Plugin: iZotope Ozone Match EQ
• Warning: Starting point only, not final mix

Best EQ Plugins

Surgical/Transparent

• FabFilter Pro-Q 4: Industry standard, dynamic EQ, $149
• iZotope Ozone EQ: AI-powered, match EQ, $99

Analog Color

• Waves SSL E-Channel: British console vibe, $29
• UAD Pultec EQP-1A: Vintage tube warmth, $149
• Slate Digital Virtual Console: Console emulation, $15/mo

Free

• TDR Nova: Dynamic EQ, parallel EQ, FREE
• ReaEQ: Reaper stock EQ (works standalone), FREE

Å Common Mistakes

• Å Boosting too much: Gentle +3dB > aggressive +10dB
• Å No HPF: Always high-pass (80-100Hz minimum)
• Å Fighting instruments: Cut 200-400Hz on guitars to make room for vocals
• Å EQ in solo: Check in context (full mix)
• Å Too narrow Q: Surgical cuts sound unnatural (use Q=2-3 for cuts)