Using EQ (equalizer) on vocals

So, if you’re wondering why I started out explaining what sound is – because I haven’t mentioned any of that since – you’ll be happy to know you’ll need that knowledge now.

Because recordings of any instrument usually are very dynamic – meaning, it’s loud one moment and soft(er) the next – you need to do a little trickery to make it all sound good. Vocals are no exception. You need the dynamics to transfer emotions to your listeners, so it’s inevitable that this happens.

Still, you don’t want someone literally screaming in your ear, even though they want to make sure you know they are angry or hurt. So when it comes to mixing you’ll be using a combination of EQ settings and compressor to make sure the dynamics come down to the same level.

Now, there’s still a discussion going on – apparently – between people who are mixing vocals, about what to do first. EQ then compress or compress and then EQ. One thing’s for sure, they are in each others way as much as they are complimenting each other. If you compress first, EQ might amplify what you’ve just tried to compress. So I’ve just discovered for myself that using EQ first seems to have the best results for me. This is however a personal opinion (always subject to change too).

When you hear the vocals without any work on them, the vocals will sound a bit harsh compared to the song as a whole. This is what is called “dry”. When vocals get effects added to them, it’s what is called “wet”.

What does EQ do?

As you know sound waves have their own frequencies. EQ is used to boost and cut certain frequencies. We humans can only hear between 30hz and 18000khz. The female vocals have a frequency of 165 to 255 Hz and a male vocal 85 to 180 Hz.

In EQ the frequencies are divided into 8 sections. You can access this using the Channel EQ. (Plugins > EQ > Channel EQ). By default it will look like this screen below. The low and high pass filters are turned off. Usually those frequencies aren’t used by vocals, but it’s wise to check it anyway.

The Channel EQ screen

The Channel EQ screen

With these 8 sections you will determine what is and isn’t supposed to be played (passed) in that frequency. You can switch between section using the icons at the top of the frequencies at the bottom. You can change the  values at the bottom to or drag the lines in the main window.

Using the right settings requires  you to listen very carefully. Usually this means you have to start looping the dry vocals without anything else, then play around with settings, then check with the music on and play around even more. You want to find a balance between keeping the character of the vocals in and shutting the rough dynamics out. Leveling it out, thus equalizing it.

Just to start you off, you can always use some of the pre-settings. You can find them on the drop down menu > Voice and then look for the type of vocals you are working on (for instance a certain type of lead or a background voice). You can use these settings as is or as  a starting point for your own settings. It’s a great way to get familiar with the possibilities of EQ, but my personal experience is that I like to start from scratch.

Use the help of the analyser

You can also turn to the help of the analyser. When you turn on the analyser and play the track you will see exactly which frequencies are being used in your recording. You can then make sure the remaining frequencies are cut (as they are unnecessary). Usually this leads to you cutting the low frequencies like this:

Low frequencies are cut in this screenshot

Low frequencies are cut in this screenshot

From here on in it’s a matter of checking every section (aka filter) and adjusting it to your liking. I’ve found a lot of resources to give me guidelines (such as this one) which helped me get started, but in the end it really comes down to playing it by ear. Keep in mind that your goal is to get your vocals balanced. Balanced in terms of getting a little grip on the dynamics of your vocals and levelled out with the rest of the song. You also have to get more experienced with this to get more of a feel for it.

What I can tell you, is that it’s usually a matter of give and take within the frequencies your track is using. What you take in one frequency, you usually have to give back in another. That’s what levels out the recording. How much you want to take and give back depends on your own liking.

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