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EQ Tutorial
What is an equalizer? When used correctly, an equalizer can provide
An equalizer, or EQ, is a filter that allows you the impression of nearness or distance, “fatten”
to adjust the volume level of a frequency, or range or “thin” a sound, and help blend or provide sepa-
of frequencies, in an audio signal. In its simplest ration between similar sounds in a mix, allowing
form, an EQ will let you turn the treble and bass both to be heard as intended. It can also be used
up or down, allowing you to adjust the coloration to adjust a sound system to account for the acous-
of, let’s say, your car stereo or iPod. In pretty much tical response of a room or an outdoor venue.
any audio application—including live sound, re-
cording, broadcast, and corporate installations— Parametric EQ
equalization is a sophisticated art and is critical to The parametric EQ and semi-parametric EQ are
a good mix. mainstays of recording and live sound because
they offer continuous control over their param-
a. eters. These types of EQ offer continuous control
over the audio signal’s frequency content, which
+10
is divided into several bands of frequencies (most
+5 commonly three to seven bands).
0
Both parametric and semi-parametric EQs
typically provide control of the gain (boost/cut) for
-5 each frequency band, the center frequency of the
-10 midrange bands, and the cutoff frequency for the
low and high bands (see Fig. 1). The difference
20 Hz 100 Hz 1 kHz 10 kHz between fully parametric and semi-parametric
EQs typically is that the fully parametric EQ of-
b. fers continuous control of the bandwidth, which
determines the range of frequencies affected, or
+10
control over the Q, which is the ratio of the center
+5 frequency to the bandwidth (see sidebar “Who
0 or What is Q?”). For most purposes, a Q control
accomplishes the same thing as a bandwidth con-
-5
trol but they are not identical. Most PreSonus EQs
-10 offer Q control; the exception is the EQ3B 3-band
parametric EQ, which has a bandwidth control
20 Hz 100 Hz 1 kHz 10 kHz instead (see Fig. 2).
c.

+10

+5

-5 FIG. 2: The PreSonus EQ3B is a compact, one-channel,

three-band, fully parametric EQ. Unlike most PreSo-
-10 nus EQs, it offers a bandwidth control rather than a Q
control.
20 Hz 100 Hz 1 kHz 10 kHz

FIG. 1: In a fully parametric EQ, one can change the TM

band’s center frequency (a), gain (b), and either band-
width (c) or Q, depending on the EQ’s design.

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Shelving EQ
fully parametric hardware EQ, offering control of A shelving EQ attenuates or boosts frequencies
gain, center frequency, and Q for all of its three above or below a specified cutoff point. Shelving
frequency bands. With more than three bands, equalizers come in two different varieties: high-
you can get even more precise, as with the ProEQ pass and low-pass. Low-pass shelving filters pass
plug-in for Studio One™ (see Fig. 3). all frequencies below a specified cutoff frequency,
while attenuating all the frequencies above the
cutoff. A high-pass filter does the opposite, pass-
ing all frequencies above the specified cutoff
frequency while attenuating everything below.
Usually, the frequencies beyond the cutoff are
rolled off, following a predetermined curve, not cut
off sharply, as with a “brickwall” filter.
Some multiband parametric EQs offer low and
high bands that can be switched to shelving filters.
In others, such as the EQ in the Studio Channel,
the low and high bands are shelving filters, while
the mid band is fully parametric.

Graphic EQ
A graphic EQ typically consists of a bank of
FIG. 3: PreSonus’ ProEQ plug-in for Studio One provides slider controls used to boost or cut fixed frequency
five fully parametric bands of EQ plus a high-cut filter and bands (see Fig. 4). A well-designed graphic EQ
a low-cut filter. The low- and high-frequency bands (LF and
HF) are shelving filters. creates an output frequency response that cor-
responds as closely as possible to the curve
In a true semi-parametric EQ, the gain and displayed graphically by the sliders. Designers of
frequency are adjustable but the Q and bandwidth analog EQs must carefully choose the bandwidth
are fixed at a preset value. A variation on the semi- of the filter and decide how the bandwidth should
parametric is the quasi-parametric EQ, which typi- vary with gain and how the filters are summed or
cally provides full frequency and gain adjustment cascaded. In general, narrower bandwidth signi-
but only two or three Q settings. fies a more precise EQ.
A good example of the difference can be seen
by comparing the fully parametric EQ in the Fat
Channel section of the StudioLive™ 24.4.2 digi-
tal mixer, which provides continuous Q control,
with the quasi-parametric Fat Channel EQ in the
StudioLive 16.4.2 digital mixer, which offers a
simple choice of high or low Q settings. We usu-
ally call the StudioLive 16.4.2 equalizer a “semi-
parametric EQ” because that’s a much more
common term and is accurate in a broad sense,
but strictly speaking, it’s quasi-parametric. FIG. 4: This simple 31-band graphic EQ is an Audio Units
plug-in from Apple, inserted in the main bus of PreSonus
Studio One. Here, it’s set flat—that is, no frequencies are
being boosted or cut.

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Who or What is Q? and 31 bands. Professional sound-reinforcement
graphic EQs generally have 31 bands, and the
In the Star Trek television shows and
movies, Q is a recurring character with super center frequency of each band is spaced 1/3 of
powers, played by actor John de Lancie. While an octave away from the center frequency of the
he may serve as a sort of equalizer in the show, adjacent bands, so that three bands (three sliders
after a fashion, this Q has nothing to do with on the front panel) cover a combined bandwidth of
audio equalizers. one octave. Graphic EQs with half as many bands
In equalizers, Q is the ratio of center per octave are generally used when less preci-
frequency to bandwidth, and if the center sion is needed. You will often find this 2/3-octave
frequency is fixed, then bandwidth is inversely design on monaural, 15-band or less graphic EQs
proportional to Q—meaning that as you raise
in guitar amps, bass amps, and some stompboxes.
the Q, you narrow the bandwidth. Q is by far the
In traditional graphic EQ designs, the center fre-
most useful tool a parametric EQ offers, allow-
ing you to attenuate or boost a very narrow or quency of each band is fixed.
wide range of frequencies within each EQ band. Some high-end digital graphic EQs offer greater
A narrow bandwidth (high Q) is particularly precision. This is the approach PreSonus took with
useful for removing unpleasant tones. Let’s the StudioLive™ 16.4.2 mixer: the graphic EQ)
say the snare drum in your mix has an annoy- is a pool of shelving filters from which coefficients
ing ring. With a very narrow bandwidth, you like cutoff frequency, bandwidth, and gain are
can isolate the offending frequency (usually extracted through a process of curve-fitting. The
around 1 kHz) and remove, or reject, it. This curve entered by the user is first oversampled. The
type of narrow band-reject filter is also known system then works with an internal curve made up
as a notch filter. By notching out the offend- of 128 bands to find coefficients for the first shelv-
ing frequency, you can remove the problem
ing filter that, when subtracted from the user’s
without removing the instrument from the mix.
curve, will produce the flattest possible response:
A narrow bandwidth is also useful in boost-
ing desirable components of an instrument’s 0 dB. The resulting response is then used to find
sound, such as the attack on a drum. For coefficients for the second shelving filter, using
instance, a kick drum resonates somewhere the same optimization process. Coefficients for
between 60 to 125 Hz but the attack of the all available shelving filters are found through a
kick drum is much higher, at 2 to 5 kHz. By recursive process.
setting a narrow bandwidth and boosting the Unlike conventional designs, the frequency and
attack a bit, you can achieve a punchier kick bandwidth of the “bands” depends on the curve
drum without overpowering the rest of the mix. entered by the user. This allows for much tighter
A broad bandwidth accentuates or attenu- matching of that curve. Because of this innovative
ates a larger band of frequencies. Broad and design, the curve fitting-process is capable of very
narrow bandwidths (low and high Q, respec-
steep transitions, and unlike conventional, analog
tively) are usually used in conjunction with
graphic EQs, what you see is what you get. With a
one another to achieve the desired effect.
Let’s look at our kick drum again. We have a carefully drawn, smooth curve, the StudioLive EQ
kick drum that has a great, big, low-end sound will have almost no frequency ripple.
centered around 100 Hz and an attack hitting
almost dead-on at 4 kHz. In this example, you
would use a broad bandwidth in the low-fre-
quency band, centered at 100 Hz, and a nar-
row bandwidth boosted at 4 kHz. In this way
you are accentuating the best and downplay-
ing everything else this particular kick drum
has to offer.

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How to Find the Best and
overall mix for a particular room. For instance, if Leave the Rest
you are mixing in a “dead” room, you may want
to boost high frequencies and roll off some of the In the “Making the Cut” section are some
lows. If you are mixing in a “live” room, you might general frequency principles to guide you through
need to lower the high-midrange and highest fre- the wonderful world of equalization but these are
quencies. In general, you should not make drastic far from set in stone. So how do you find the best
amplitude adjustments to any particular frequen- and worst each instrument has to offer and adjust
cy bands. Instead, make smaller, incremental them accordingly?
adjustments over a wider spectrum to round out Here is a great starting place:
your final mix. To assist you with these adjust- First, solo just the instrument with which you
ments, here is an overview of which frequencies are working. Most engineers start building their
affect different sound characteristics: mix with the drums and work from the bottom
up (kick, snare, toms, high hat, overheads).
Sub-Bass (16 Hz to 60 Hz). These very low Each instrument resonates the most in a specific
bass frequencies are felt, rather than heard, as frequency bandwidth, so if you are working on
with freeway rumbling or an earthquake. These your kick drum mic, start with the lowest band of
frequencies give your mix a sense of power even the EQ. Tune in the best-sounding low end and
when they only occur occasionally. However, over- move on to the attack. It is not uncommon to hear
emphasizing frequencies in this range will result an annoying ringing or a ‘“twang’” somewhere
in a muddy mix. mixed in with your amazing-sounding low end and
Bass (60 Hz to 250 Hz). Because this range perfect attack, so your next task will be to find
contains the fundamental notes of the rhythm that offending frequency and notch it out. Once
section, any EQ changes will affect the balance of you are satisfied with your kick drum, mute it, and
your mix, making it fat or thin. Too much empha- move on to the next instrument.
sis will make for a boomy mix. Taking your time with equalization is well
Low Mids (250 Hz to 2 kHz). In general, you worth the effort. Your mix will have better sepa-
will want to emphasize the lower portion of this ration and more clarity when each instrument’s
range and deemphasize the upper portion. Boost- EQ is set so that it shines through the mix.
ing the range from 250 Hz to 500 Hz will accent
ambience in the studio and will add clarity to A few general words of wisdom:
bass and lower frequency instruments. The range •• You can only do so much. Not every
between 500 Hz and 2 kHz can make midrange instrument can or should have a full,
instruments (guitar, snare, saxophone, etc.) rich low end and a sharp attack. If
“honky,” and too much boost between 1 kHz and every instrument is EQ’d to have the
2 kHz can make your mix sound thin or “tinny.” same effect, it will lose its identity in
High Mids (2 kHz to 4 kHz). The attack por- the mix. Your goal is not individual
tion of percussive and rhythm instruments occurs perfection, it is collective perfection in
in this range. High mids are also responsible for the mix.
the projection of midrange instruments.
Presence (4 kHz to 6 kHz). This frequency •• Step away from the mix. Your ears
range is partly responsible for the clarity of a get fatigued just like the rest of you.
mix and provides a measure of control over the If you are working particularly hard on
perception of distance. If you boost this frequency one instrument, your ears will be quite
range, the mix will be perceived as closer to the literally numbed to that frequency
listener. Attenuating around 5 kHz will make the range.
mix sound further away but also more transparent.
Brilliance (6 kHz to 16 kHz). While this
range controls the brilliance and clarity of your TM

mix, boosting it too much can cause some clip-

ping so keep an eye on your main meter.

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*adds harder bass to low *more attack on kick & tom

frequency instruments
*more finger sound on bass
*adds fullness to guitar
and snare *more attack on piano and *brighter vocals, acoustic
*adds clarity to bass lines acoustic guitar guitar & piano
*adds warmth to piano (especially at softer playback *adds clarity & punch
and horns volumes) to bass lines *brighter rock guitar *more hardness on cymbals

*adds fullness to low *adds fullness to vocals *adds clarity & punch *more “pluck” to bass *more attack on kick & tom *breathier vocals
frequency instruments to bass lines
(kick, tom, bass) *harder hitting snare & *more attack to acoustic *more attack to percussion *brighten cymbals, string
guitar & electric guitars instruments, & flutes
*reduce dullness on vocals
*more attack on lower *makes samples &
piano register *more finger sound on bass synths sound more real

*more clarity to vocals *adds sharpness to synths,

rock guitars, acoustic guitar
& piano

*decrease dullness in *make background

kick and tom instruments sound more
distant
*decrease “boom” in guitars *decrease ambience in *decrease dullness *reduces “s” sound
to increase clarity cymbals in guitars *soften a “thin” guitar on vocals

*decrease bass “boom” to *decrease muddiness in vocals *decrease thinness or *increase breathiness in *reduces “s” sound
increase overtones and & mid-range instruments overly bright overtones in background vocals on vocals
clarity in the mix guitars
*decrease long bass overtones *disguise slightly out of
in cymbals tune vocals and guitars

FIG. 5: Here we see the general effects of boosting or cutting at various frequencies when equalizing several commonly
used instruments.

•• Your memory is not what you think Making the Cut

it is. Comparing a flat EQ and the You can add clarity and fullness to any instru-
curve that you’ve created allows you ment in a mix by attenuating (cutting) or boosting
to see exactly what you’ve done. So be certain frequencies. And of course, adjusting the
honest with yourself. Sometimes that wrong frequencies can make an instrument shrill,
EQ setting you’ve been working on for muddy, or just downright annoying. The following
15 minutes is not the right choice, so table offers suggestions for frequency ranges that
move on. should be boosted or cut when shaping the sound
•• Never be afraid to take a risk. The of commonly used instruments. Remember,
best EQ tricks were found by mad these are just suggestions; these frequencies may
scientists of sound. “Playing” applies need to be adjusted up or down depending on
to engineers as well as musicians. the instrument, room, and microphone. For more
information about the effects of boosting and cut-
ting various frequencies, see Fig. 5.

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Suggested EQ Settings suggest that you play with the Q setting when a
Here are suggested EQ settings for several dif- high or a low Q is suggested, in order to find the
ferent instruments to help you get started. These right width for the instrument or mix. This will also
settings are for the four-band semi-parametric give you a better understanding of how Q affects
equalizer found in the StudioLive 16.4.2 digital the sound.
mixer but you can adapt them to other multiband Of course, the right EQ setting for any given
semi-parametric EQs. instrument will depend upon the overall mix and
If you are using a fully parametric EQ, such as the tonality of the instrument.
the PreSonus ProEQ plug-in for Studio One, we

Instrument What to Cut Why to Cut What to Boost Why to Boost

Human Voice 7 kHz Sibilance 8 kHz Big sound

2 kHz Shrill 3 kHz and above Clarity

1 kHz Nasal 200-400 Hz Body

80 Hz and below Popping P’s

Piano 1-2 kHz Tinny 5 kHz More presence

300 Hz Boomy 100 Hz Bottom end

Electric Guitar 1-2 kHz Shrill 3 kHz Clarity

80 Hz and below Muddy 125 Hz Bottom end

Acoustic Guitar 2-3 kHz Tinny 5 kHz and above Sparkle

200 Hz Boomy 125 Hz Full

Electric Bass 1 kHz Thin 600 Hz Growl

125 Hz Boomy 80 Hz and below Bottom end

String Bass 600 Hz Hollow 2-5 kHz Sharp attack

200 Hz Boomy 125 Hz and below Bottom end

Snare Drum 1 kHz Annoying 2 kHz Crisp

150-200 Hz Full

80 Hz Deep

Kick Drum 400 Hz Muddy 2-5 kHz Sharp attack

80 Hz and below Boomy 60-125 Hz Bottom end

Toms 300 Hz Boomy 2-5 kHz Sharp attack

80-200 Hz Bottom end

Cymbals 1 kHz Annoying 7-8 kHz Sizzle

8-12 kHz Brilliance

15 kHz Air

Horns 1 kHz Honky 8-12 kHz Big Sound

120 Hz and below Muddy 2 kHz Clarity

String section 3 kHz Shrill 2 kHz Clarity

120 Hz and below Muddy 400-600 Hz Lush and full

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Vocals
Pop Female Vocals
LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON OFF 130 0.6 -2 ON 465 0.6 -2

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 2.4 0.4 +2 ON OFF 6.0 0.3 +8

Rock Female Vocals

LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON ON 155 N/A +4 ON 465 0.4 +6

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 1.4 0.6 +6 ON OFF 4.2 0.5 +2

Pop Male Vocals

LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON OFF 225 0.3 -2 ON 960 0.3 0

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 2.0 0.6 +2 ON OFF 7.2 0.5 +4

Rock Male Vocals

LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON OFF 155 0.5 +2 ON 265 0.3 -6

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 2.4 0.6 -2 ON ON 7.2 0.6 +4

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Percussion
Snare
LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON OFF 130 0.6 -4 ON 665 0.5 +4

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 1.6 0.3 +4 ON ON 4.2 N/A +4

Left/Right (Stereo) Overheads

LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON OFF 108 0.6 -2 ON 385 0.6 -2

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 2.9 0.3 0 ON ON 8.0 N/A +4

Kick Drum
LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON OFF 108 0.4 +4 ON 265 2.0 -4

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 1.6 0.6 0 ON OFF 6.0 2.0 +4

Fretted Instruments
Electric Bass
LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON ON 36 N/A -8 ON 130 0.4 +4

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 2.0 0.6 +4 ON ON 4.2 N/A +1

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LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON OFF 155 0.4 +4 ON 665 2.0 +2

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 2.0 0.3 0 ON ON 6.0 N/A +4

Distorted Electric Guitar

LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON OFF 320 0.5 +6 ON 960 0.4 0

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 3.5 1.0 +4 ON ON 12 N/A 0

Keyboards
Piano
LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID LOW MID
ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN ON/OFF FREQ (Hz) Q GAIN
ON ON 108 N/A -2 ON 665 0.2 +2

HIGH MID HI MID HIGH MID HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
ON/OFF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN ON/OFF SHELF FREQ (kHz) Q GAIN
ON 2.9 0.4 +2 ON OFF 7.2 0.6 +4

TM