In a way, the frequency spectrum is like a grand piano – down the bottom are the really low notes, rising to the really high tinkly ones at the top. The spectrum covers the range of human hearing (and a little bit beyond), and is a vital method of visualizing where each sound pitches. To master using EQ you have to learn where instruments and sounds sit on the frequency spectrum. So, to recap… the higher the frequency, the higher the pitch.Īnd this is really important, hence the science lesson. And a digital instrument, including inside your DAW, simply emulates this effect with computer code.
A hardware synthesizer oscillates its electric current at user-determined frequencies, which can be augmented and affected by all the parameters within the synth’s architecture. Wait a minute… that makes sense for physically played instruments, but what about synthesizers and digital instruments? If you’re wondering why this music production site is giving a high school science class right now, it’s because the reason we talk about ‘frequency’ in EQ terms is precisely down to the vibrational frequency any given sound physically emits. Indeed, any sound you can think of is caused by vibrations… the faster the frequency of vibration, the higher the pitch of the sound. And it’s not just musical instruments, although of course they have been optimised to create vibrations. Whether by virtue of your vocal chords, a guitar being plucked or a drum being struck, the sound emitted is caused by vibrations. More experienced producers or enginers may want to skip to the Advanced section. This article assumes some knowledge of how a DAW works, but, since EQ is one of the fundamental skills a beginner needs to learn, I’ll try to explain all the basic terminology and reasoning behind the principle and process of EQing music on a computer. Contents: EQ Basics.Īs stated above, EQ is a process of balancing, cutting, or accentuating frequencies in a sound or mix.
Adam Hignell delves deep into the world of EQ, to help you avoid these mistakes and learn to use EQ plugins to build professional mixes.
There are dozens of misunderstandings that circulate among rookie producers that can lead to all kinds of mistakes. In many ways, EQ is a simple balancing act, but beware mastering the use of EQ is deceptively difficult. It’s the process of cutting or boosting frequencies in a mix, in order to improve the way it sounds.