Basics of EQ for mixing metal and rock - tutorial

Learn how to use the basics of EQ for rock and metal mixers. Joel Wanasek walks you through all the standard EQ moves for metal and rock, using the raw multi-tracks for "F.E.A.R." by Papa Roach.

He applies a simple shelf EQ to the drums, bass, and guitars, then uses subtractive EQ to remove some unpleasant frequencies.

Joel uses the stock EQ plugin in Cubase, but these techniques will work in any DAW with any EQ plugin.

NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.

Every month, NAIL THE MIX members get exclusive access to the REAL MULTI-TRACK SESSIONS from a REAL ALBUM, and a 6-8 hour live streaming class from the producer who mixed it. These are the actual sessions by bands like Gojira, Meshuggah, Periphery, Papa Roach, Machine Head, Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and more - and NTM is the only place in the world you'll get access to them!

[goatsurgeon]

I did that EQ mastery tutorial all night last night on Nail The Mix- it was like 5$
When I got back to my room after my oil field shift studying it all night, I NAILED all my parts. It was incredible.
I totally recommend it. I’ll probably never have EQ problems ever again.

[TheWaveFiles]

Finally a clear and well made guide for EQ basics.Thanks man.

[SpheniMoo]

This is the most clear and easy to understand the use of EQ tutorial I ever watched, I love it!

[night_owl]

I watched so many EQ tutos and your the only one, to my knowledge, with this method! Great way to learn. Good job!

[manny]

Nice video. Always start simple. Sometimes just a little shelf is all the sound needs.
My other tip to new mixers: don't go nuts with the amount of cuts and boosts. Tiny moves. When I first started, I'd cut/ boost 10+/- db on everything. That is a great way to completely lose track of your sound and your song.

Now for me it's 1db bump, check mix, 1 DB bump, check mix. I rarely find anything that needs more than 3db in either direction anymore.

[CornSw]

Thank! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Never heard someone made EQ this clear to me before! The perfect questions to ask when EQ:ing! This is invaluable! Thank you so much for this!!

[mavrickloewen]

I didn't know the first thing about how to eq until I watched this video. Thanks for helping understand I learned a lot in this:)👍

[CrossPain]

I just started watching these videos and have already learned TONS! Can’t wait to get my Nail the Mix subscription!

[thomasmarlin]

Nail the mix contest “best mix” using one eq move on each track.

[codyt]

Finally someone who breaks it down earned a sub

[Yuretz]

This is another great video on mixing fundamentals! I think, an EQing technique shown in this video is very good for training your ears and learning the very basic skills of EQing! Thank you for this video! Would love to watch a similar kind of video on basic use of compression and stuff like that!

[BernardoB]

This is what I need, small steps! Thanks!

[stefanogiampietro]

That is great, and a thing that i noticed is that a really good engineer will try to get the best source material possible in order to use just minimal eq. Thanks vor the great video btw!

[MichaelMyersDoverPA]

Excellent video and presentation. I liked how you made a simplistic approach and tacked each track in the same manner. I found this video to be the best example for my learning style. I appreciate your efforts.

[mikesperling]

I will try this out in my mixing session today! Great video for finding problem zones and for not to advanced mixers like I am. XD

Thanks, opened my "ears" a bit more. ^^

[KRayxKodessA]

GREAT video. Super simple to follow, and solid principles. More of this type of thing!

[CrimsonRainer]

Very clear and easy to understand i now know the purpose of each area than goin randomly along the lines and hoping for the best thanks man!

[justausername]

Thank you for giving me a strategy that's actually easy to implement when you don't know what you're doing.

[BeatsAndMeats]

What an awesomely great video!!! Please make a video on the next step regarding boxiness versus... Whatever the opposite of boxiness is. Thanks Joel!

[cristobalc]

Thanks a lot. When you started talking about getting better at mixing and then realize your next mix sucks its like you were talking to me hahahah
Regards from Chile