How to Use an Equalizer (9-Hour Course)

Get the accompanying resources here:

In this video I walk you through everything you need to know about EQ, I'm not leaving any stone unturned.

We're covering how to EQ any instrument, stock vs. premium EQ plugins, frequency masking, how to nail the low-end, midrange, and top-end as well as a unique method for applying EQ.

Watch me next:

Watch this to master compression:

Struggle to use reference tracks? Watch this:

Watch this to create louder masters without distortion:

Chapters

Introduction 0:00:00 - 0:02:36
What is an EQ? 0:02:36 - 0:08:17
What is the Frequency Spectrum? 0:08:17 - 0:24:40
The Anatomy of an EQ (And Terminology) 0:24:40 - 0:33:47
What an EQ CAN Do (The 4 Goals of EQ) 0:33:47 - 0:38:47
What an EQ CAN'T Do (The 5 Pitfalls of Mixing) 0:38:47 - 0:49:15
Tool #1 - The Balance Chart 0:49:15- 1:03:44
Tool #2 - Ear Training 1:03:44 - 1:16:35
Tool #3 - Sweep EQ 1:16:35 - 2:07:07
Tool #4 - Reference Tracks 2:07:07 - 2:38:25
Tool #5 - Gain Staging 2:38:25 - 2:52:46
The A/B Test Method 2:52:46 - 3:02:00
The Philosophy Behind a Good EQ Balance 3:02:00- 3:14:24
What Are the Different EQ's? 3:14:24- 3:40:42
How to EQ an Entire Mix (The Chef Method) 3:40:42 - 3:45:48
Step 1 - Clean Your Tracks 3:45:48- 4:10:27
Step 2 - Enhance Your Tracks 4:10:27- 4:46:10
Step 2.5 - Balance Your Tracks 4:46:10- 4:55:58
Step 3 - Balance Your Mix's Tone 4:55:58 - 5:16:53
Step 4 - Blend Your Instruments 5:16:53 -5:47:47
Step 5 - Make Your Final Tweaks 5:47:47 - 5:57:07
Why is My Mix So Muddy? Why is My Mix So Thin? 5:57:07 - 6:08:33
Why Does My Mix Sound Bad Everywhere Else? 6:08:33 - 6:20:32
What is Mixing in Mono? Should I Do It? 6:20:32 - 6:28:47
Can I Use EQ Presets? 6:28:47- 6:34:19
Do I Have to Buy Nice Gear to Get a Good Sound? 6:34:19 - 6:41:48
How Do I Use a Dynamic EQ? 6:41:48 - 6:52:58
How Do I Use a Smart EQ? 6:52:58 - 7:07:24
Mixing Low End (Kick and Bass) 7:07:24 - 7:32:33
EQ Tips - Drum Set 7:32:33 - 8:04:14
EQ Tips - Electric Guitar 8:04:14- 8:20:29
EQ Tips - Acoustic Guitar 8:20:29 - 8:43:52
EQ Tips - Piano 8:43:52 - 8:58:56
EQ Tips - Vocals / Harmonies 8:58:56 - 9:25:49
EQ Tips - Different Genres 9:25:49 - 9:34:42
Outro 9:34:42 - 9:36:24

[DavidRFIT]

I'm speechless. I don't know if I've ever seen such great content on YT, learning-wise.

[CraddyMusic]

I'm in heaven with these long series

[taiwanlovemusic]

I'm from Taiwan. Not only watching this course improved my mixing skills, also my english listening got way better... Thank you so much.

[Andross]

I have a parasocial friendship with this guy after already watching him talk about compression for 10 hours. Where's my bitter and twisted crew?

[Martin-eysr]

This is the type of course I’d pay $100 for. To have it free on YouTube is so crazy. It builds upon itself and takes you in great detail through everything. Big thanks to everyone involved!

[longing.music]

2 hours in he taught me so much now I'm picking up resonances in his voice at 2.5k

[Andlovethebomb]

182k views on a 9 hour video is insane and deserved. This course is so well made and constructed. Thank you so much for releasing this.

[bukwildmuzik]

I went to Full Sail University for Audio Production, and you’re doing a better job of teaching EQ than my teachers did 💯 Great job!

[homeofcreation]

As a Composer, Software Developer and Trainer I take off my hat an take a bow for you for this fantastic piece of education.

[burjeduro]

First Compression, now EQ... 😊 we're forever indebted 🙏

[Stevie-Ruiz]

DO MORE, LIMITER, REVERB, SYNTHS, EVERYTHING AND GET DYLAN A RAISE HE IS A KING 👑

[ninshu_music]

Like a compression 10 hours long video, this one is great as well and really looking forward for the video about using SPACE dynamics in a mix like reverb, delay and other effects!

[JohanPerkins]

As a former music teacher and ARCM, this is without doubt the best music course i have ever enjoyed. Dylan is a GREAT educator and should be rightly proud of this work. Looking forward to compression.

[katecosettevocals]

I'm a singer/songwriter and tried to work with a few producers in the past but never could find someone to really match my style (or my budget), so I've decided to learn production myself, which sounds SO overwhelming to say the least, especially when I never intended to. I was nearly about to give up on it all after scrolling through so many complicated YT tips and stuff, when I came across your channel. You guys literally saved me from giving up on this. I went from being so completely confused and frustrated, to so excited to learn because you actually teach people to UNDERSTAND, rather than just throw tips at people like so many other channels. EQ now went from "a thing I use to make good stuff sound better and bad stuff sound less bad" to a tool to use with so much more intention. I am blown away by the fact that your content is free and it's such incredible quality, I love your philosophy on teaching mastering first---you're so right, it's so much better to have this overhead view to know what things should sound like to know what it needs---and everything suddenly seems possible for me now. I'm less than 2 hours into this video, I'm taking notes like crazy and just have to thank you guys so much. tytytyty!!!!

[Scott.Alston]

This guy is a natural teacher. Fantastic instruction. Thanks for this!

[fulge]

New generations should feel lucky for having the possibility to learn audio mixing for free and hearing in real time the sound examples, without spending money, time in audio engineering schools and books

[danielcortesalvarez]

Thanks you a lot. I am a person who can´t afford courses, pro teachers or pro equipment, but try to educate myself with I have at hand and this type of content makes it possible. I have the dream of working in a great studio one day. Like for real, thanks for your help ❤

[akramelmansouri]

You're a net positive to the human race, thanks to you, other humans will be expressing themselves through their art more clearly than they did before watching this video. Thank you so much!

[jordanxmusica]

Thank you for allowing me to make music. My album would have taken 2+ years in order to afford to hire mixing engineers. Now I can use these skills and tools to do the best I can do myself. You're truly a gift.

[riccello]

I would never guess there was enough subject matter in equalizera to talk about it for 9 hours. Out of curiosity, I am gonna give it a listen.