Equalisation

The best explanation I can think of to describe equalisation is that it is a glorified ‘tone control’. An equaliser simply boosts or cuts a specified frequency within audio. In fact, consider what a volume knob does on your sound system. It raises or reduces the gain/volume of a single band. That band encompasses the whole audio. The problem is not understanding what an equaliser is but how and when to use it.

This category explores the various types of equalisers available and how to use them on specific sources.

Equalisation at the channel stage for corrective processing is very different to equalisation at the mixbus for colour and I make sure to explore that in detail.

Most equaliser types are covered:
From multi-band to dynamic, linear phase to minimum phase, Active, Passive, Graphic, Parametric, Fixed and Peaking Eqs – each and every process is explained with before and after audio examples.

Manipulate and control your frequencies – from destructive to creative eq – it’s all here!

Tutorials

Band Pass Equalisation - cleaning audio channels


Band Pass Equalisation - cleaning audio channels screen shows the tdr nova ge equaliser plugin

Intermediate

How to prepare your audio for mixing by using band pass equalisation for cleaning and making sure to shape the filter slopes to match the audio's response.
Duration: 13 mins





DIY Mastering using Pink Noise


DIY Mastering using Pink Noise screen shows the voxengo span frequency analyser plugin

Intermediate

The entire Mixing to Pink Noise process covered and including how to use mastered profiles on your mixes.
Duration: 25 mins





Processing Low End Kicks


Using Compression in Series to Process Lead Vocals is a deep tutorial on the workings of a compressor, and in this case two compressors in series, and how best to use it for various vocal processing tasks screen shows the cubase stock compressor plugin

Intermediate

Very cool techniques on how to process Low End kicks for a bigger sound!
Duration: 7 mins





Using a Step Sequencer to control Filter Cut-Off and Resonance


Using a Step Sequencer to control Filter Cut-Off and Resonance screen shows the fabfilter micro filter plugin

Intermediate

Using a Step Sequencer as a Modulator to process both the Filter Cut-Off and the Resonance of a Filter processor to add spice and motion to a drum beat!
Duration: 7 mins





Using Modulation with a Single Band Filter - Soundtoys FilterFreak


Using Modulation with a Single Band Filter - Soundtoys FilterFreak screen shows soundtoys filterfreak plugin

Intermediate

Create Crazy Effects using a Modulator to process a Single Filter Band on a drum beat!
Duration: 6 mins





Using Modulation with a 2 Band Filter - FabFilter Simplon


Using Modulation with a 2 Band Filter - FabFilter Simplon screen shows the fabfilter simplon plugin

Intermediate

Creating Cross Modulation by using 2 band Filters in Series and in Parallel to process a drum beat. FabFilter Simplon shines in this tutorial.
Duration: 7 mins





Filters and Filtering - what are filters and how do they work


Using Modulation with a Single Band Filter - Soundtoys FilterFreak screen shows soundtoys filterfreak plugin

Beginner

What is a Filter, how does it work, what are its functions and how to use it.
Duration: 4 mins





Working the Air Band with Equalisation


Working the Air Band with Equalisation screen shows the fabfilter pro q2 eq plugin

Intermediate

Equalisation techniques to control and process the Air Band.
Duration: 9 mins





Active, Passive, Graphic, Parametric, Fixed and Peaking Eqs


Eq Filters and Slopes/Responses screen shows the sll x equaliser plugin

Intermediate

What are the various types of equaliser designs/topologies what are the differences between them, and how and when to use them.
Duration: 13 mins





What is an equaliser and how does it work


Using EQ to add presence and dynamics to a Piano sound screen shows fabfilter's q3 dynamic eq plugin

Beginner

What is equalisation, how it works and how to use it.
Duration: 19 mins





Dynamic EQ - what is it and how do you use it


Dynamic EQ - what is it and how do you use it screen shows the tdr nova ge dynamic eq plugin

Intermediate

What is Dynamic Equalisation, how it works and how to use it.
Duration: 8 mins





Using Dynamic Equalisation on Female Vocals


Mastering Demos with EQ screen shows the tdr nova ge dynamic eq plugin

Advanced

How to use a dynamic equaliser to process female vocals. Add motion and vibrancy to female vocal recordings.
Duration: 11 mins





Eq Filters and Slopes/Responses


Eq Filters and Slopes/Responses screen shows the sll x equaliser plugin

Intermediate

Which filters to select when using equalisation, how to match filter slopes and responses and how best to utilise them.
Duration: 13 mins





Linear Phase Eq versus Minimum Phase Eq


linear phase versus minimum phase screen displaying an eq response

Intermediate

A detailed tutorial on the differences between Linear and Minimum Phase topologies-how and when to use them.
Duration: 11 mins





Mastering Demos with EQ


Mastering Demos with EQ screen shows the tdr nova ge dynamic eq plugin

Advanced

How to best prep your demo masters with equalisation.
Duration: 5 mins





Mastering EQ - Air Band Processing


Mastering EQ - Air Band Processing screen shows the fabfilter pro q2 equaliser plugin

Advanced

How to process the Air Band using equalisation - add sparkle and space to your mixes.
Duration: 8 mins





Ducking any Frequency using Middle and Side


Ducking any Frequency using Middle and Side screen shows voxengo's m/s plugin

Intermediate

Advanced production technique incorporating M/S (Middle and Side) processing to duck specific frequencies within a mix.
Duration: 7 mins





DIY Mastering using Pink Noise and Profiles


DIY Mastering using Commercial Mix Profiles screen shos fabfilter's pro q2 equaliser

Intermediate

Advanced techniques showing you how you can master your music using pink noise as profiles for use with equalisers that offer a Match eq feature.
Duration: 17 mins





Roland TR 808 Kick Drum Bounce Processing


Roland TR 808 Kick Drum Bounce Processing screen shows d16's nepheton plugin

Intermediate

Get your Roland TR 808 bass drums bouncing like a rubber ball!
Duration: 10 mins





Processing Rap Vocals - Prep and Optimisation


Processing Rap Vocals - Prep and Optimisation is a video tutorial that outlines the processes required to clean and optimise rap vocals. screen shows cubase's eq plugin

Intermediate

Techniques to show you how to process male rap vocals using both effects and dynamic processors.
Duration: 19 mins





Layering Kick Sounds using Tone Modules


Layering Kick Drums using a Tone/Test Generator and a Noise Gate shows fxpansion's strobe plugin

Intermediate

Build the most potent kicks known to mortals using advanced drum layering techniques!
Duration: 21 mins





MixBus-Transparent Pre Mastering


MixBus-Transparent Pre Mastering screen shows the psp master buss compressor plugin

Intermediate

This detailed video tutorial guides you in how to achieve transparent masters using the dynamic processes within your DAW.
Duration: 14 mins





MixBus - House Music Pre Mastering


MixBus - House Pre Mastering screen shows the tdr slick eq plugin

Intermediate

Explore how to prepare and process your mix for House music mastering.
Duration: 19 mins





MixBus - Urban Music Pre Mastering



Intermediate

Explore how to prepare and process your mix for Urban music mastering.
Duration: 13 mins





Using Side-Chaining to Duck Reverbs on Vocals


Using Side-Chaining to Duck Reverbs on Vocals screen shows the waves f6 dynamic equaliser

Intermediate

Old school technique of ducking an effect within a mix using vocal lines as triggers. Perfect for cleaning vocal lines and managing spoken word in broadcasting and busy mixes.
Duration: 7 mins





Side-chaining Vocals against the Mix


Side-chaining vocals against the mix screen shows the waves f6 dynamic eq

Intermediate

A detailed tutorial showing you how to create space for vocals in a busy mix by using the Dynamic Equaliser's side-chain!
Duration: 12 mins





The 4 stages of Vocal Eq processing


The 4 stages of Vocal Eq processing screen shows cubase's eq plugin

Intermediate

Learn how to eq vocals professionally and quickly using these 4 simple steps!
Duration: 17 mins





MixBus Mastering Equalisation


MixBus Mastering Equalisation screen shows the acustica audio mea2 equaliser plugin

Intermediate

Learn how to use the famous Maselec emulator plugin (Acustica Audio Ivory 4) to master your mixes!
Duration: 16 mins





Using the Pultec Eq on a Drum Beat


Using the Pultec Eq on a Drum Beat screen displays the acustica audio pultec eq emulator plugin

Intermediate

Learn how to use Vintage Response equalisers on drum beats! The mighty Pultec EQ is a weapon. Let me show you how to use it.
Duration: 8 mins





Get your 808 Kicks to bounce using Dynamic Equalisation


Gating Techniques for Vocals screen shows the cubase gate plugin

Intermediate

Give your TR 808 bass drums bounce and colour using this very cool technique!
Duration: 13 mins





Using EQ to add presence and dynamics to a Guitar Line


Using EQ to add presence and dynamics to a Piano sound screen shows fabfilter's q3 dynamic eq plugin

Intermediate

Hit a brick wall trying to add spice to guitar recordings? Watch this step by step video tutorial on how to use a Dynamic Equaliser to liven a drab guitar take.
Duration: 11 mins





Using EQ to add presence and dynamics to a Piano sound


Using EQ to add presence and dynamics to a Piano sound screen shows fabfilter's q3 dynamic eq plugin

Intermediate

Finding it hard to nail that piano sound? Let me show you how by using equalisation to enrich and liven a staid piano sound.
Duration: 10 mins





Using EQ to add presence and dynamics to an Electric Bass


Using EQ to add presence and to an Electric Bass screen shows the trident equaliser plugin

Intermediate

Liven up electric basses guitars using dynamic equalisation processes!
Duration: 13 mins





Using EQ to Clean and Enrich Rap Vocals


Using EQ to Clean and Enrich Rap Vocals screen shows cubase's stock eq plugin

Intermediate

Clean and beef up male rap vocals using a dynamic equaliser!
Duration: 10 mins





Using Dynamic EQ to balance Kick and Bass


Using Dynamic EQ to balance Kick and Bass screen shows the Waves F6 dynamic eq plugin

Intermediate

Don't always reach for the compressor's side-chain to marry the kick to the bass. A dynamic eq can sometimes be better!
Duration: 8 mins





Using EQ to add Punch and Clarity on a TR 909 Kick Drum


low end screen showing the famous 909 beat machine

Intermediate

Struggling to get your TR 909s to cut through the mix and invade the dance floor? This video tutorial shows you how to use equalisation to add punch and clarity to 909 kick drums.
Duration: 10 mins





Layering Backing Vocals to create Harmonies


Processing Backing Vocals screen shows the tla 100 leveling amp plugin

Intermediate

Let me show you how you can maximise your backing vocals for impact and interest by using band-pass equalisation and layering to create interesting and epic vocal harmonies!
Duration: 13 mins





Extending the Dynamic Range of Rap Vocals


Extending the Dynamic Range of Rap Vocals screen shows fabfilter's pro mb plugin

Intermediate

A very cool technique demonstrating how to extend the dynamic range of rap vocals. Most rap vocals are heavily compressed with a narrow dynamic range - this tutorial shows you how to repair and reverse the process adding dynamics back into the vocal take.
Duration: 17 mins





Processing Lead Rock Vocals


Processing Lead Rock Vocals screen shows soundtoys decapitator plugin

Intermediate

A detailed tutorial on how to process lead Rock vocals to sit in a mix.
Duration: 13 mins





Processing Backing Vocals


Processing Backing Vocals screen shows the tla 100 leveling amp plugin

Beginner

Backing vocals are as important as lead vocals and understanding how to process them to best optimise them can be daunting. Let me show you how to process them easily and efficiently.
Duration: 13 mins





Using Modulators to add Dynamic Motion to Vocals


Using Modulators to add Dynamic Motion to Vocals screen showing waves metafilter plugin

Intermediate

Add dynamic motion to your vocal lines by modulating the volume of the vocal take within your DAW.
Duration: 12 mins





Using Dynamic EQ on the Drum Group


Using Dynamic EQ on the Drum Group screen displaying fabfilter q3 dynamic eq

Intermediate

Glue the drum group with dynamic equalisation!
Duration: 9 mins





Band-pass Equalisation - Slopes and Gradients


Band-pass Equalisation - Slopes and Gradients screen shows the fabfilter pro q3 equaliser

Intermediate

To master equalisation you need to understand how the filter slope/gradient affects the equaliser's response. The slopes have a dramatic effect on the overall sound being equalised.
Duration: 9 mins





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