Equalizer Cheat Sheet
Adriana Gowen
EQ cheat sheets should never be taken as law, but they do provide starting points to guide your mixes. No two instruments, performances, or recordings are alike, which is why mileage may vary from mix to mix when referencing cheat sheets or charts.
Equalization (EQ) often takes time for beginners to master. It will likely require a fair amount of trial and error, a good ear and plenty of learning hours before you can figure out the golden frequency bands for various instruments. The good news is that an EQ cheat sheet can help you figure it all out quickly.
EQ is the process of using a plugin or software to manipulate the different frequencies or range of frequencies found in a particular audio signal or audio mix. Typically, the human ear can detect frequencies ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz. An equalizer divides this frequency spectrum into different bands. This makes it easier to alter the balance of a mix's different frequency components in the following ways.
Equalization is often the first port of call for engineers and producers who want a mix that's nicely put together. You can use this EQ cheat sheet to become more efficient at creating mixes that sound professional. But what makes EQ such a great and important tool in music?
In a nutshell, EQ allows you to get rid of imperfections in an audio signal, sound or song, leaving everything balanced and clear. As noted, this can be achieved by reducing or eliminating unwanted frequencies while boosting others. Equalization gives you control over the final audio, so you'll have those optimal vocal and instrument sound frequencies you want, that are pleasant to the ear.
The frequency spectrum is broad from a scientific perspective. But when it comes to music production, we only focus on frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Why? Because this is the range of frequencies that are audible to the human ear.
This is where the power of a track comes from. In rock music, this range is responsible for housing the power that you feel from electric guitars. It also holds the character and presence of bass sounds as well.
If you ever noticed how some vocal recording seems to sparkle and be so airy, this range is responsible for that. Too much boosting here can also cause ear fatigue and give a shrill-like tone. Too much cutting, and your mix will sound too dark.
Highpass your 808 kick at 20-40Hz with a minimum 24 db slope minimum. If you need more energy in your sound, boost it in the 50-60Hz range. But for punch, boost in the 100-200Hz area. Scope out the mud with a high Q and cut in the area you find it. Every 808 is different.
EDM kicks are known for their energy. A lot of this lives in the 40-100Hz range. Boost in the 100-200Hz range for added punch. Boosting in the 5kHz-15kHz range will increase the kick's click and presence. Boosting over this range will make the kick sound sharper or darker.
Highpass your snare at 100Hz. In between, 200 and 400Hz is the body of the snare. Every snare is different but you can see it in a spectrum analyzer. The ring of the snare lives between 250 and 600 but varies depending on the snare. Sweep for it with a narrow Q.
Where a lot of people miss out on getting those big and powerful guitar sounds lies in the 200-1000Hz range. This is where the meat and power of the guitars come from. From 1000 to 2000Hz, boosting or cutting here is primarily taste and style.
The magic of a bass guitar is in the 80-200Hz range. Cutting the right amount of mud and boosting the definition gently can give a nice sound. Sometimes the string noise and fret buzz is desired in the top end but low passing these out is fine as well.
There are lots of different kinds of bass synths but the ranges listed above are a commonality between them. Make sure to scope out for mud to reduce. When boosting or cutting anything, solo it with the mix to see how it fits.
Always highpass vocals at 100Hz minimum. Most of the sounds down here are unpleasant to have in a vocal. What makes vocals shine is the amount of presence and air they have. Every singer is different so each EQ is going to look different.
You are now equipped with the best EQ cheat sheet to help you approach mixing like a pro. In fact, even pros use cheat sheets. Print out this article and save our guides so that you can reference them in your next mix session. As you reference the cheat sheet and practice mixing, your ears will begin to pull out tones instantly.
I've done official remixes for artists like Beyonce, Tove Lo, and Nick Jonas, signed record deals with Universal, Island, and Sony, and worked with brands like Target, Samsung, and Equinox. I've even DJed some of the world's biggest stages, like Electric Daisy Carnival, Terminal 5, Fonda Theater, and Echostage.
Knowing where each instrument fits in a frequency spectrum will help you achieve mixes that stand up to commercial releases. In this article, we will demystify equalization and go over the tips and tricks of using EQ like a pro. From understanding equalization to the EQ Cheat Sheet, we'll talk about it all along with providing a detailed instrument-by-instrument guide to EQ. If you are ready to improve your audio skills then read on!
EQ in audio is the process of making changes in the balance of frequency components in an audio signal. Typically these EQ adjustments are made within the frequency spectrum of 20 Hz to 20 kHz as that is the range of human hearing. EQ is ultimately used to manipulate these frequencies to create a clear and balanced mix.
EQ can also be used to clean, enhance, or degrade a piece of audio. An engineer will make a decision on the best course of action as he or her is mixing a song. In most cases they will use it as a corrective tool but in some scenarios they will find use for it as a creative tool. EQ is the tool used to create the infamous vocal telephone effect.
When you closely examine modern recordings, you will notice that equalization is present on almost every track. Getting the best results from your mixes is a function of adhering to some principles; these vital principles will make EQing your tracks less complicated.
Filtering involves attenuating or removing specific frequencies from audio while allowing others to pass. Filters are typically low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass (a combination of high pass and low pass filters). The low or high frequencies are the most commonly filtered.
There are occasions recorded instruments need more shine in a mix. The act of boosting or adding to the frequency of these instruments can make them more prominent or add specific attributes to the sound source. This is called Additive EQ.
In most cases this is the lowest frequency range we suggest you work with for major adjustments. In this range, boosting will add fullness to bass instruments like the bass guitar, kick drum, and toms. While increasing this frequency adds more fullness, cutting it reduces the impact or boom sound of the bass. It's typical to see a boost in this range on the kick or bass in genres like dance or EDM.
Boosting here will give the lowest frequency instruments a harder sound. Increasing it will add fullness to guitars and snare, as well as warmth to the piano and horns. This is also a great frequency to look at boosting for kick and bass guitar in rock or metal genres where you don't need that deep sub-bass.
If you need to boost this frequency, it will add fullness to vocals, snare, and give your guitars a harder (thicker) sound. Reducing it decreases the muddiness of vocals or mid-range instruments and the gong sound of cymbals. WARNING: This frequency should be treated with extreme caution because it can either muddy up or thin our your sound in a negative way.
Cutting here increases the punch for kick drums. It's not uncommon to see cuts as large as 12 dB to enhance the kick drum sound. Cuts here also decreases the ambiance on cymbals. Boosting at 400Hz adds clarity to bass lines, especially when mixing on speakers at low volume or smaller speakers.
Boost to increase the clarity and pluck of the bass guitar. Cut to reduce or remove dullness of guitars and nasal sound of vocals. NOTE: If you want that Fender Precision bass sound, do a healthy boost at 1 kHz.
It is important to note that not everyone is on the same page regarding EQ and that an EQ cheat sheet isn't law. It is therefore essential that you always trust your ears while using an EQ cheat sheet as a guide. Now lets get to the part you you have been all waiting for; the EQ Cheat Sheet!
In this below EQ cheat sheet and guide, you will learn our recommended approach for EQing 12 different instruments. These tips and tricks will help you achieve better mixes and results and ultimately improve your audio engineering skills. With that being said, lets look at the kick drum first.
Equalizing cymbals and hi-hats is pretty straightforward. Their harsh metallic sound (sometimes called the clang) is around the 200 Hz range. They mostly take up the high frequencies, so you will aim to remove unwanted muddiness and clang.
From a frequency perspective, the kick and the bass occupy identical sonic space; therefore, your aim should be to make them work together. You need to decide whether the kick or bass should lead the bottom end to avoid having both of them compete for space in the mix.
TIP: For rock guitars, you can achieve attitude and bite with an SSL emulated EQ by simply boosting the top two EQ bands until you get the sound to your liking. Beyond that, a high-pass filter up to around 80 Hz is the only other change you need on that specific EQ model. Easy Breezy!
A good recording is essential to a good mix; in between these steps, you need smart EQing to make a good mix great. The tips provided herein will get you started on your journey to making great tracks. Remember, nothing can replace the effort you put into practice. Keep EQing!
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