How to Apply Equalization

by Craig Anderton

Overview

(Musician's Guide Home Recordg). Equalization is one of the most important signal processors perhaps the most important signal processor for mixing and mastering. This book goes beyond explaining equalization to giving essential tips on how to use equalization to make better music. Written in a clear, practical, non—intimidating style, topics include: * Equalizer parameters * When to use different equalizer responses * Linear vs. non—linear phase EQ * Plug—in formats, mid/side equalization * Typical equalizer controls * Real—world examples of EQ in products from Ableton, Apple, Avid, iZotope, Steinberg, Propellerheads, Cakewalk, Softube, Studio One, Waves, Universal Audio, and more The book then covers general tips (solving problems with EQ, emphasizing instruments, when to apply EQ, applying mid/side EQ, understanding EQ curves, and more), then segues into EQ curves associated with musical styles, and presents a variety of EQ presets for drums, guitar, piano, voice, and bass. The book closes out with typical equalizer mastering presets, a special section on equalization tips for guitar, and includes an appendix on understanding frequency response. Chock full of illustrations and featuring the judicious use of sidebars to give details on selected topics for those who want to know "why" as well as "how," How to Apply Equalization is essential reading about how to get the most out of this crucial processor for mixing and mastering.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781540024893
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/01/2018
Series:	The Musician's Guide to Home Recording
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Craig Anderton is an internationally recognized authority on music and technology. He has played on, produced, or mastered over 20 major label recordings, did session work in New York in the 1970s on guitar and keyboards, played Carnegie Hall, and more recently, mastered well over a hundred tracks for various artists. His onstage career spans from the 60s to current, EDM-oriented solo performances. As an author, he co-founded Electronic Musician magazine, and has written over 35 books on musical electronics and over a thousand articles. He has also lectured on technology and the arts in 10 countries, 38 U.S. states, and three languages.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction: About This Book 1

The Purpose of Equalization 1

Tips and References 2

Chapter 1 Equalization Basics 3

Equalizer Bands 4

The User Interface 4

Meet the Node 5

Adjusting Parameters 5

Common EQ Band Responses 6

Parametric Response 6

Shelf Response 9

Low-Pass (or High Cut) Response 10

High-Pass (or Low Cut) Response 10

Graphic Equalizer Response 11

Other Equalizer Controls 12

Intelligent Nodes 12

Other Parameter Control Methods 13

Numeric Entry 13

Automation 13

Keyboard Shortcuts 14

Linear-Phase vs. Non-Linear Operation 14

Linear-Phase Latency (Delay) 15

Linear-Phase Pre-Ringing 15

Minimizing Latency 17

Does It Really Matter? 17

Dual Mono vs. Stereo 17

Mid-Side Equalization 18

Parallel Processing and Reality Checks 19

Passive vs. Active EQ Technology 19

Native vs. Hardware-Assisted Technology 20

Plug-In Formats 21

Plug-In Wrappers 22

32-Bit vs. 64-Bit Plug-Ins 23

Copy Protection 23

Don't Overlook the Documentation 24

Key Takeaways 24

Chapter 2 Equalizer Examples 25

Ableton Live EQ Three 25

Ableton Live EQ Eight 25

Apple GarageBand 26

Apple Logic Pro X 27

Avid Pro Tools EQ and Channel Strip 27

Cakewalk by BandLab ProChannel Channel Strip with QuadCurve EQ 29

iZotope Neutron 29

Nomad Factory Blue Tubes PEQ322 30

Propellerheads Reason 31

Softube Focusing Equalizer 31

Sony Paragraphic EQ 32

Steinberg Cubase Mixer EQ 33

Studio One Pro EQ 33

Universal Audio/ Manley Massive Passive 34

Universal Audio SSL E-Series Channel Strip 35

Waves Puigtech MEQ-5 Midrange Equalizer 36

Waves Artist Signature Series 36

Key Takeaways 37

Chapter 3 General Tips 39

Why EQ Matters 39

Solving Problems with EQ 39

Taming and Reducing Resonances 40

Finding Target Frequencies 41

Emphasizing Instruments 42

New Sonic Personalities 42

When to Apply EQ 43

Where to Apply EQ 44

The High-Performance Graphic Equalizer 45

The Virtual Pop Filter 46

Mid-Side EQ: Rocking Your Mixes And Masters 47

Mid-Side EQ Applications 48

The Value of the Mix Control 48

Virtual Mics for Acoustic Guitars 48

Understanding EQ Curves-Why Noise Is Your Friend 50

The Effect of Emulation 50

Using Noise to Hear the Effect of EQ Curves 51

Key Takeaways 52

Chapter 4 EQ Curves and Musical Styles 53

Dance/EDM 53

Classical 54

Rock and Modern Country 54

Rap/Hip-Hop 55

Adult Contemporary 55

So What Does It All Mean? 56

Key Takeaways 56

Chapter 5 Typical Equalizer Instrument Presets 57

Drum Presets 57

Drums: Old School R&B 58

Drums: House Music 58

Drums: More Snare 59

Drums: Out Front 59

Drums: Snare Snap 60

Drums: Crisper 60

Guitar Presets 61

Guitar: Amp Sim Open Back Cabinet Emulator 61

Guitar: Amp Sim Fizz Tamer 62

Guitar: Amp Sim "Mellower" 62

Guitar: Humbucker to Single-Coil Sound 63

Guitar: Jazz Guitar Tone 64

Percussion Presets 64

Percussion: Congas Enhancement 64

Percussion: Tambourine Tamer 65

Piano and Keyboard Presets 65

Piano: Classical Grand 66

Piano: Bright Rock 66

Keyboard: Make Room for Other Instruments 67

Presets for Voice 67

Voice: Airy Ahhhhs 67

Voice: Ballad 68

Voice: Crooner 68

Voice: Distant Filtered 69

Voice: Dynamic Mic Enhancer 69

Voice: Podcasting 70

Bass Presets 70

Bass: Seismic 5-String 71

Bass: Tight, More Low-End, Added Pop 71

Bass: Round and Smooth 72

Bass: Tough Distortion Sound 72

Bass: Tight Low End Boost 73

Bass: Bright Pick Emphasis 73

Key Takeaways 74

Chapter 6 Typical Mastering Presets 75

Save Your Own Presets When Mastering 75

Understanding the "Rule of Half1 for EQ 76

Default Preset 77

Air Lift 77

Bass Tilt 78

High Tilt 78

Big and Bright 79

Bright and Loud 80

Crispy Meets the Bass 80

Deeper Kick 81

High Boost 81

Low Boost 82

Kick and Sizzle 82

Less Boxy 83

Less Vocals 83

Make Room for Female Voice Narration 84

Make Room for Male Voice Narration 84

Push Mids 85

Mono Bass 85

More Articulated 86

More Vocals 86

Punch 87

Reduce Honk and Mud 87

Reduce Honk 88

Reduce Mud 89

Reduce Subsonics and DC Offset 89

Scoop with High and Low Boost 90

Too Bassy Track 90

Vinyl Mastering 91

Warm and Clear 92

Widen High-Frequency Image 92

Widen Midrange Image 93

It's All About the Bass 93

Key Takeaways 94

Appendix Understanding Frequency Response 95

Frequency Response Basics 95

How Our Ears Respond 95

How a Speaker Responds 96

How an Amplifier Responds 96

Why Flat Response Is Good 96

The Role of the Decibel 97

Know Your Speakers 98