audio effects explained series_ part 3 – eq and filters « audio geek zine

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Part 3 EQ And Filters

27Oct

Audio Effects Explained Series: Part 3 EQ And Filters

Continuing the series on audio effects, this week Im explaining EQ (equalization) and

filters.

The terms EQ and filter seem to mean different things, Filtering is generally what we

say when we want to remove frequencies, and EQ is when we want to shape the soundby boosting and cutting.

The truth is, its all filtering.

o Effects Explained Series: Part 3 EQ And Filters Audio Geek Zine http://audiogeekzine.com/2008/10/audio-effects-explained-series

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Parameters

Cutoff Selects the frequency. This is measured in Hertz

Gain how much boost or attenuation at the cutoff frequency. This is measured in

decibels

Shape or type this chooses what kind of filter you will be using. The filter shapes are

Hi and low pass, band pass, peaking, notch, and shelf.Quality or width usually just referred to as Q is the shape of the eq curve and how

much of the surrounding frequencies will be affected.

What does an equalizer actually do?

An equalizer adjusts the balance of frequencies across the audible range. EQ is an

incredibly powerful tool for crafting a mix.

Filter Shapes

A low pass filter also known as high cut filter removes frequencies above the cutoff. A

high pass filter or low cut filter does the opposite, it removes everything below the

cutoff.

Low Pass Filter clip

High Pass Filter clip

When you use both these filter types at once its called a band pass filter, the top and

bottom frequencies are removed.

With these three filter shapes Q effects the steepness of the filter.

Band Pass Filter clip

A notch filter is the opposite of a band pass filter, it lets all frequencies through except

for a narrow notch in the spectrum which is attenuated greatly. The Q effects the width

of the notch.

Notch Filter clip

There are two filter shapes that allows you to control how much the frequency will be

attenuated.

A low shelf EQ will boost or cut anything below the cutoff, a high shelf EQ gives you

boost or cut above the cutoff. You can choose how steep the slope is with the Q control.


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Low Shelf clip

High Shelf clip

A peaking filter is also known as a bell curve EQ, you can boost or cut any frequency

with a peak at the cutoff and a slope on either side.

Peaking Filter clip

EQ Designs

There are two main types of EQ designs. Graphic and parametric.

Graphic Equalizers have multiple peaking filters at specific frequency bands and give

you a few overlapping frequency bands with adjustable gain. These are most commonly

seen on consumer music players, but in professional audio these are very useful for

mixing live music.Parametric Equalizers give you the most flexibility you can choose the shape, cutoff,

gain, and quality.

This is the type you will be using when mixing. Nearly all plugin equalizers will be

parametric.

EQ Usage Tips

Use your hi pass filters to remove unnecessary low frequencies from your tracks.Use notch filters to remove unwanted noises from a recording.

Get rid of the frequencies you dont need before boosting the ones you do, although

it may not be your first instinct when eqing, it works a lot better.

High q values will cause ringing or oscillation when boosted, this is not usually

something you want to happen.

Adjust the EQ so that the level remains constant whether engaged or bypasses, its

too easy to be fooled by louder being better.

Favorite EQ Plugins

Some of my favorite Equalizer plugins are:

Apulsoft ApQualizer Very clean EQ with 64 bands, frequency analyzer and

complete control

Stillwell Audio Vibe-EQ A vintage style EQ that has some nice coloration, I like

it most on electric guitars


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Digidesign EQ III Standard included Pro Tools plugin, does the job 99% of the

time.

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audio effects explained series_ part 3 – eq and filters « audio geek zine

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