EQ

EQ is the process used in audio recording to alter the frequency response of an audio system using linear filters. Most stereo equipment uses relatively simple filters to make bass and treble adjustments. Graphic and parametric equalizers have much more flexibility in tailoring the frequency content of an audio signal. An equalizer is the circuit or equipment used to achieve equalization.

Equalization is an important part to audio recording. It can make or break a project. There are a lot of things that can go wrong in the EQ phase of mixing. I will give the basic tips to make sure that you have a decent recording to show your friends and family.

One problem that can show up in the EQ phase is "EQ masking". EQ masking means that two different tracks are hitting the same exact frequency at the same time, and what this does is the weaker of the two signals will basically be drowned out.

The way to fix this is simple. Let's say you have a guitar and a male singer. Now your male singer can hit the low baritone C (130 Hz) up to the higher tenor C (523 Hz) and your guitar will most likely be playing in that area at some point. What do you do to get out of this pickle? Well, first you would go into your guitar EQ plug in (in any software package) and you would create a small dip in the 130 Hz - 523 Hz region. This will not make your guitar disappear when played at that range, it will only allow your vocals to come out in the song.