Audio Foundations: EQ and Filters

Shows how to properly apply equalization (EQ) to improve the sound of a mix.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know before watching this course
• Using the exercise files
• Using the "Get In the Mix" Pro Tools and Logic Pro session files

1. Understanding Frequency and Amplitude

• What are frequency and amplitude?
• Measuring frequency
• Measuring amplitude
• The perception of frequency and amplitude
• Frequency and pitch

2. Using Equalizers

• What is an equalizer?
• Hardware and software EQ
• Understanding frequency and gain EQ controls
• Using the bandwidth, or Q, EQ control
• Parametric equalizers
• Shelving filters
• High- and low-pass filters
• Putting it all together with multiband EQ
• Using graphic EQ

3. Advanced EQ Topics

• Creating focus
• Get in the Mix: Using EQ to fix problems and place elements in the mix
• Get in the Mix: Creating complementary EQ curves
• Get in the Mix: Creative EQ with the telephone effect
• Get in the Mix: Frequency bracketing with filters
• Get in the Mix: Automating EQ
• Learning to listen
• Balancing expectations from the recording process

4. Additional EQ and Filtering Techniques

• Get in the Mix: EQing FX returns
• Using common vintage-modeled EQs
• Using frequency analyzers
• Using harmonic generators to excite frequency content
• EQ or compression first?
• EQ and room acoustics: Is your room lying to you?
• Boost or cut? The relative nature of EQ and headroom
• Building healthy EQ strategies

5. Conclusion

• What's next and EQ summary

6. An Interview with the Author

• A session with Brian Lee White