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Sound & Production

EQ (Equalisation)

also called “equalizeralso called “equaliser
The short version

Turning specific frequency ranges up or down.

A little more

Like bass and treble controls, but precise. Cut 300 Hz to un-muddy a guitar; boost 8 kHz to add air to a vocal.

Try it
Tour the frequency range

Each tone sits in a different neighbourhood.

Bass — 60 Hzweight you feel
Low mids — 250 Hzwarmth, and mud if overdone
Mids — 1 kHzwhere voices live
High mids — 3 kHzpresence, bite
Treble — 9 kHzair and sparkle
Why you'd careEQ is how you give every instrument its own space instead of everything shouting over each other.
Learn next

88 words and counting in The Music Guide. Back to the guide