EQ Masterclass | How and When To Use Equalization

In this episode of Sound 101, Andrew does a deep dive into the world of EQ. Although EQ is one of the most basic audio effects that is used everywhere, there is a lot to explain. In particular we show you how to use Parametric EQ. With all terms explained, and some concepts like corrective vs creative EQ, this guide should have something for everyone.

We cover the difference between high-shelf, high-pass and high-cut. Many people confuse low-pass vs low-cut so we were sure to sort that out. Andrew even talks about how to remove hum using EQ - whether it's AC or electrical current.

Some people ask about whether to use EQ at the hardware stage or the software stage, so Andrew addresses that as well. Mic EQ vs post EQ is commonly debated. Let us know in the questions below if you have any additional questions on EQ!

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Summary:
Deity Microphones produces weekly digital web content to help filmmakers and sound mixers grow in their education. Deity Microphones shares this free web series in hopes that the next generation of filmmakers grows in their video production quality and changes the world.

Deity Microphones produces free educational web content to help filmmakers, vloggers, sound mixers and sound designers grow as creatives and take their production quality (be it independent, TV, or studio) to the next level. Deity Microphones believes that budget should never be a constraint to creativity.

[DeityMicrophones]

What was your most creative use of EQ?

[BasicFilmmaker]

"And just like that I lost all puberty." [BEAT]. LMAO!! :) Great explanations.

[kimsax]

Good reminder. Explained well. Like the use of your own voice in the comparables.

[StarlightInsights_com]

This is a really good video - I've been looking for videos that showed how to EQ voice over - it would be even nicer to have a longer video on the same topic with a lot more examples

[JasmineGolphin]

This was extremely helpful and exactly the kind of intro I've been looking for, thanks!

[TechPhD]

EQ is so important to sound production, heaven knows I've got a lot to learn 😂

[jonathandevore]

This video was super helpful! And you guys do an excellent job with the AE! Great example for us newbies to doing YouTube videos.

[mrheng]

Nice lesson for me as I am trying to become better at audio this year. Thanks for the terminologies and explanations.

I’m still waiting for that video of terminologies of sound descriptions and what they sound like. For example, the terms bright, muddy, tinny, etc.

[aabidfaiyaz]

Mailbag Query: Saw you’re EQ MasterClass video, I have a few Q 1 : The Q/ width you were talking about how should that be used to make the EQ well balanced: especially if you’re doing a VO as well what those numbers mean and where should they be ??.
Q 2 : what 24 db / OCT ??
Q 3 : How to use frequency while setting the numbers manually: especially if you’re a EQ by yourself.
Q 4 : I do understand there are so many bands under parametric Equaliser : yet I want to know how much band on should use depending on their work eg I do all my VO edit in audition and later add background music to my video at the end before exporting... so depending how many bands should I use ??.
Last Question what’s the difference between 30db vs 96db ??.

P.s. this video was by far the best I have come across in really understanding EQ, hopefully you make a video on “ Graphic Equaliser ( 20 bands ) & Single band Compressor”

[globofonia]

Bravo!!! Muy bien explicada la herramienta básica y siempre confundida en la edición del audio.

[Hindsight]

Mailbag: what are the best settings to sent my audio interface along with my headphone volume? I know this is subjective but when I set my interface to hit between -12 to -6 I hear noise in my headphones but when I play the audio in my DAW. There is no noise and the audio is fine. Thanks and great video

[SoundSpeeding]

@15:00 the Sound Devices 8 Series all have built in EQ! (even my older Zaxcom Maxx has basic EQ features, but I love my Sound Devices 833)

But you're right, never apply EQ to your ISOs! Only use it for the mix.

[MartinRodrigue]

Great video. I've been dabbling to try and start making training videos for the company and finding good sound locations is hard in a factory. 😣. I was actually looking for a video giving simple explanations.
Mailbag questions: What would you suggest as the best VST for EQ to run into a streaming software?

[stevenvannoy]

Great video, very helpful. I have a D3 Pro mic, it has hardware “filters” for 75 and 150 Hz, what are the ideal situations for using this feature?

[rickbergsma]

As a professional sound engineer I I would high pass between 80 and 100 hz and do as slight cut arround 600 being that is a problem area as far as the rest of the bands is gonna be voice centric and be careful in the 4 k range it can cause harshness

[thatcherfreeman]

Mailbag Question: In movies, often it seems like the dialogue is captured so cleanly, with no contamination from noise or room tone. Is that just ADR or is that doable on set?

[kamilluboch]

I like to use EQ to enhance voice of actor;)

[billzidis]

Hey Andrew, i just bought my first Deity mic. Can you please answer my question ?

I have 2 Recorders, zoom H2N and Zoom F6 but my knowledge in sound is equal to 0. For better sound with less self noise do you set the recorder to 0 and the mic to 10 or lower or do you distribute the gain equally like the recorder at 3-4 and the mic at 3-4 etc?

Do you have any class to explain this?

I will highly appreciate your answer. Thank you!!!

[sonicalchemyst]

Mailbag question:
Have any Deity mics ever been used in any major production that some of us might know?

[a_ram]

I wanted to change an actors voice in a non naturalistic manner. I wanted it deeper. I used EQ but it was not extreme enough. I then tried frequency shifting, it got closer, but there were a lot of artifacts. How would you go about modifying voices so that they sound like someone else? Since I have already tried a combination of EQ and frequency shifting, a relatively detailed tutorial like this one would be great, because I am pretty sure those were the right tools, I just did not know how to use them well for that purpose.