Equalization, sometimes called "EQing," is the process of adjusting frequency levels within a signal. On this site, it refers generally to adjusting frequency content in audio. Use this tag for questions about frequency balance or using an equalizer.

learn more… | top users | synonyms

5
votes
4answers
516 views

How do I make something sound “cloudy” as though my ears are plugged using Ableton Live?

I'm working on a song that I'd like to have drums similar to Radiohead's "Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors." I love the way the bass kick sounds like it's cloudy, as though I were hearing it through plugged ...
2
votes
2answers
40 views

Calibrate EQ Using Speaker SPL Graph

I have a pair of old speakers that I want the EQ calibrated for, and I found their manual with its SPL graph. However, I'm wondering if the graph is even accurate now (the speakers are around 15 years ...
6
votes
1answer
374 views

Audio tweaks pre-encoding for high quality MP3 output

I run an internet radio station. We encode our audio into MP3 at 128kbit, joint-stereo 44.1kHz, with LAME. Obviously there are limits to the quality that can be achieved with this bandwidth... ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views

How can I compress my bassline like the linked Boris Brejcha track?

I'm trying to compress a bassline to sound smoothly with lowgain attack, but it is hard to accomplish this mission. Does anyone know how to help me make my bassline sound like this: ...
2
votes
1answer
28 views

Calibrate Graphic EQ without SPL Meter

I have a graphic EQ connected to my amp which I want to calibrate for a flat response. I've read somewhere that you can't calibrate a EQ by ear using test tones (different frequencies at same volume) ...
5
votes
2answers
223 views

How to avoid a muddy mixdown?

Often times I am faced with a problem where I lack a decent amount of mid-range warmth in my sound. When producing a track with this in mind I am then often faced with a muddy sounding mid-range. How ...
5
votes
3answers
90 views

“Extreme” EQ curves

Is it bad to use EQs to an "extreme" extent? I use that word because of what my friend said about the settings of an EQ on a song we were helping a mix and master. He had something like this, but more ...
2
votes
2answers
178 views

Typical frequency bands for mixer low mid and high gains

You've all seen the low mid and high knobs on cheap mixers (if you haven't, I provided a pic below). To my knowledge, the low one corresponds to a low shelf filter, the high one to an hi-shelf filter ...
1
vote
2answers
78 views

Equalization basics: How is sample rate frequency related to audio frequency?

How is sample rate frequency related to audio frequency? For example, say I have an audio file with a sample rate of 44100 Hz, 1 byte per sample (256 different values), and, for simplicity, a single ...
3
votes
2answers
147 views

Removing subsonic frequencies when mastering

In general (for music where lf are not important): To increase space for dynamic range in audible frequencies, is it a good idea to remove low frequencies when mastering? More specific: I am ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views

What's wrong with the EQ on this guitar

I'm taking a line in from my acoustic guitar. Here it is unaffected: In my opinion, this sounds terrible. I feel like there's some very ...
1
vote
1answer
323 views

Equalizer levels for minimal hearing loss

So... how should I set my equalizer levels to minimize hearing loss? From here: SETTING SAFE HEADPHONE VOLUME LEVELS The Fletcher-Munson loudness curves (shown above) indicate that ...
4
votes
3answers
219 views

Techniques on Mastering

I'm interested in creating the most 'dynamically interesting' sound from music that I've produced on a computer, which includes vocal samples, bass, rhythm and instruments. At first I was happy with ...
3
votes
1answer
30 views

Is there a way to graphically analyze frequency of samples/instruments in Renoise?

There's a master spectrum view but is there a way to use some static graphical representation of the frequency spectrum to adjust the different samples/instruments? Something to make it easier to ...
4
votes
6answers
988 views

How do I filter a voice recording to sound like a NES game sample?

The style that I am shooting for can be heard on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZlPiehYpVM at 2:18 ("Blades of Steel") I have tried playing with equalization, hi-pass/low-pass, and ...
3
votes
2answers
431 views

Does software exist to measure the frequency response of a room?

I'm interested in finding out which frequencies are emphasized or attenuated in the room where I listen to playback and try to mix. I know there exist proprietary solutions for some monitoring systems ...
4
votes
2answers
487 views

How do I use a microphone on my PC sound card to automatically create a “sweet spot” with excellent frequency response?

Are there any PC sound cards I can buy which support "digital room correction", a feature found on high-end amplifiers, namely the ability to use a microphone to automatically calibrate your sound ...
5
votes
3answers
386 views

Does anyone have any experience with available RTA software packages for live venue application?

A few years ago I was able to use SMAART from rationalacoustics.com and was very impressed. Unfortunately, it is way over my budget. I was hoping there might be some more affordable solutions.
5
votes
1answer
920 views

Zoom H2 recording levels are too low

I recently bought a Zoom H2 and I'm trying to record my acoustic guitar at home. I followed the manual to set it up so the level never goes over 0db (in case you're familiar with the H2, I put the ...
3
votes
3answers
343 views

Older Bedroom DJ Seeks Advice: Amp about to die - should I get another or powered monitor speakers…?

I've had all my DJ kit since about 1995: Pair of Technics 1210s 1 x Boss Sampler/Sequencer 1 x Kenwood KA3020SE Amp 1 x Kam Scratch Mixer Pair Mission 702 speakers Pair Eltax Monitor speakers The ...
3
votes
3answers
305 views

What constitutes a “musical” EQ?

In reading product advertisements and gear reviews in magazines like Sound on Sound, I've come across the term "musical" a few times referring to an apparently positive quality of an equalizer device ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views

Rules of thumb for EQing?

I often create tracks that consist of lots of layered (electronic) sounds. This gives me a hard time EQing the tracks so that the mix still feels right. Instead of forming a solid wall of sound, It ...
4
votes
3answers
207 views

How early, how often do I need to mix-down?

Mainly asking about electronic and house genres here: How much EQ/compression/panning/etc. tweaking should I expect to need once I've written my first few loops? Does this depend on whether I'm ...
5
votes
3answers
143 views

Setup, EQ changes based on tuning of guitar

What should you consider when playing an Open-Tuning where more open strings will be played and the overall sound will be brighter than the equivalent notes in standard tuning?
4
votes
1answer
207 views

What is this incredibly annoying noise?

Hey all, I've been getting this noise out of my set top box, desktop and laptop audio outs into my mixer. I've also tried using usb soundcards out ($5 from ebay) and they don't eliminate the problem. ...
3
votes
2answers
255 views

Adding 'sparkle' to an a cappella choir recording

I often record small to medium size a cappella choirs (usually live, using a simple stereo-pair of condensers), and normally the sound is quite satisfactory, but when I compare my work with my ...
6
votes
3answers
926 views

Mixing piano and guitar

I'm trying to blend acoustic guitar and piano as background tracks behind vocals. Individually, both tracks sound excellent, but when I combine them they step on each other and sound really bad. Any ...