Basics of EQ. How do I use it????

[CZA]

I hear alot of using EQ. But the problem is I know nothing about it. I tried to mess with it in Sound forge but I just can't seem to use it. I use Cool Edit 2000 now and I'm not sure if I can mess with the EQ in the program. I think it does. My question is:
Does anyone know how to use EQ and what are the Basic settings for the Bass and Treble.
Thanks alot.

[dobro]

In answer to the question as you put it: loads of people on this bbs know how to use EQ, yes.

I don't know anything about using EQ either, but I'd be willing to bet that there's no such thing in real recording life as "basic settings for bass and treble". In other words, my guess is the settings you use depend on how you want the particular track you're working on to sound.

Stick around. We both might learn something.

[istyle]

not a pro too but been trying to do it by trial and error for sometime
i suggest you start with plug-in like TC parametric they have preset that is easy to understand
for each instrument range ,fool around with it a little bit
try to cut not boost .....
cheers

[istyle]

not a pro too but been trying to do it by trial and error for sometime
i suggest you start with plug-in like TC parametric they have preset that is easy to understand
for each instrument range ,fool around with it a little bit
try to cut not boost .....
cheers

[Shailat]

My sugestion to you would be to listen to the affect of each band as you cut and boost on a specific instrument.

A basic range of Frequency's is:
Highs - above 3.5 kHz
Mids - Between 250Hz and 3.5kHz
Lows - Below 250Hz

You can also break them into the following.
Brilliance - above 6kHz
Presence - above 3.5-6kHz
Upper mid's 1.5-3.5kHz
Lower mid's 250Hz-1.5kHz
Bass - 60Hz-250Hz
Sub bass below 60Hz

Dobro is right and it's really specific to your sound.
There are so many factors to your sound like room, mic, instrument. Also Eq is used as it's referenced to other sounds you are playing it with.

In very general terms - if your kickdrum is boosted in the 60Hz and 6kHz and cut at the 500Hz playing with that is your Bass guitar cut at 60Hz and 6kHz and boosted at 500Hz,
these 2 sounds have a better chance to work together becuase are independent and distinguishable as it minimizes the chance of one particular freq. being loaded.

I would take a sample of a kickdrum and play with it.
As you boost and cut discribe to yourself what changed.

[skweeks]

it's better to get as much of the sound as you can through mic placement and just good tracking in general, but you will need to use it sometimes... Shailat gave you a lot of the basic technical stuff, follow that.. generally a main purpose for eq is to give more "space" in the mix, and not have too many instruments pushing the same freq's which makes certain things (the ones quieter) less audible...