EQ, short for equalization, turns certain frequencies of a sound up or down. It is how you make a vocal clearer, a kick drum punchier or a muddy mix cleaner. Every DAW comes with an EQ plugin, and it is usually the first effect you put on a track.
Frequencies in one minute
Every sound is made of many frequencies, measured in hertz (Hz). Low frequencies are bass and rumble. High frequencies are brightness, air and hiss. Human hearing is usually given as about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. To see where musical notes fall, check our note frequency chart; the note A above middle C, for example, is 440 Hz.
Frequency ranges: a rough map
| Range (approximate) | Name | What lives here | Too much sounds… |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–60 Hz | Sub bass | Deep rumble, 808 and sub bass | Boomy, eats up loudness |
| 60–250 Hz | Bass | Kick body, bass guitar, warmth | Heavy, boomy |
| 250–500 Hz | Low mids | Body of guitars, pianos and vocals | Muddy |
| 500 Hz–2 kHz | Mids | The core of most instruments | Boxy, honky |
| 2–6 kHz | Upper mids | Clarity and attack, vocal presence | Harsh, tiring |
| 6–20 kHz | Highs | Cymbals, breath, sparkle, air | Hissy, sibilant |
These boundaries are approximate. Different engineers and references draw the lines in slightly different places.
Types of EQ band
- High-pass filter (low cut): removes everything below a frequency. The most used EQ move in mixing.
- Low-pass filter (high cut): removes everything above a frequency. Makes a sound darker or further away.
- Bell (peak): raises or lowers a range around one frequency. The width of that range is set by Q: a high Q is narrow, a low Q is wide.
- Shelf: raises or lowers everything above (high shelf) or below (low shelf) a point. Good for broad tone changes like “a bit brighter”.
Parametric vs graphic EQ
A parametric EQ lets you choose the frequency, the amount and the width of each band. This is the type built into most DAWs. A graphic EQ has fixed bands with a slider for each, like on a home stereo. For mixing, parametric is far more useful.
A simple way to start EQing
- Listen in the mix, not alone. A track that sounds thin on its own may sit perfectly with everything else playing.
- High-pass what does not need lows. Vocals, guitars, pianos and hi-hats rarely need much below 80 to 100 Hz. Cutting it clears room for the kick and bass.
- Cut before you boost. Removing a muddy or harsh range often does more than boosting the good parts, and keeps levels under control.
- Hunt for problems with a narrow boost. Raise a narrow bell, sweep it slowly until something sounds ugly, then turn that spot down.
- Make small moves. A few dB is usually enough. If you need a huge boost, the sound itself may be the problem.
- Compare with EQ on and off at the same loudness. Louder always sounds better at first, which can fool you.
EQ for common instruments
- Kick and bass: they share the low end. Let one own the deepest lows and cut a little from the other there, so they do not mask each other.
- Vocals: high-pass the rumble, cut a little low-mid mud if it sounds boxy, and add a gentle high shelf for air if needed.
- Guitars and keys: trim low mids to leave space for the vocal.
- Cymbals and hi-hats: high-pass generously; they have almost nothing useful in the lows.
EQ vs compression
EQ changes the tone of a sound: which frequencies are loud. Compression changes its dynamics: how much the volume jumps between quiet and loud moments. Most tracks get both. See our guide to compression in music.
Frequently asked questions
What does EQ stand for?
Equalization, or equalizer for the tool. It adjusts the level of different frequency ranges in a sound.
Should EQ go before or after compression?
Both orders are common. A typical approach is to cut problems with EQ before the compressor, then make broad tone boosts after it. Try both and listen.
What is a high-pass filter used for?
Removing low frequencies a sound does not need, such as rumble under a vocal. It makes space for the kick and bass.
What frequency is muddy?
Mud usually builds up in the low mids, roughly 200 to 500 Hz, when several instruments pile up there.
Learning to mix? Read mixing vs mastering next, and time your delay and reverb to the song with the free Delay Calculator.
