Simple Slate

When recording, mixing down, and mastering, we always come across those 3 different EQ options. Many ask, what is the difference between them and which one should I use. here is a little information to help you get started.
The one most of you will be familiar with is the Graphic EQ as shown in the example below. The faders are arranged from low to high frequency. The are set to a specific frequency. The graphic EQ is most often used to control feedback or to get the sound you want out of an instrument. In a recording environment, once the feedback is taken out of the room, the settings usually stay put.
Parametric EQ you will find to be very different from the Graphic EQ. They permit you to choose exactly which frequency you want via the Frequency setting and the Q control. A wide Q will center your frequency around a broad group of frequencies which will all be affected. It is a very broad adjustment. A narrow Q will only affect the frequencies within the narrow Q. You can also set the Q to affect one sole frequency. This works well if you have a single frequency affecting your mix. You can easily isolate it and adjust accordingly. Software such as Cakewalk Sonar 6 Producer comes equipped with its own internal software version of all the varying types of EQ's in this article.
Paragraphic EQ is similar to the parametric EQ in that you can chunk out areas of frequency, but it does not give you the Q. It is a nice medium between a Graphics EQ and a Parametric EQ. It is very applicable for live sound, but we are seeing more and more studios putting the Paragraphic EQ to work.
I hope this helps to understand the differences, similarities and applications of these different types of available EQs.

Hey all,

Here are some Magic Frequencies :

Instruments:

Bass Guitar ....... Bottom at 50-80hz attack at 700hz and snap at 2.5kHz

Kick Drum ......... Bottom at 80-100Hz;Hollowness at 400Hz;point at3 - 5kHz

Snare ........ Fatness at 120 - 240Hz;boing at 900Hz;crispness at5kHz;snap at 10kHz

Toms ....... Fullness at 240 - 500Hz; attack at 5 - 7kHz

Floor Toms ..... Fullness at 80 - 120Hz; attack at 5kHz

Hi Hat and Cymbals ........Clang at 200Hz; sparkle at 8 to 10 kHz

Electric Guitar ..... Fullness at 240 - 500Hz; presence at 1.5 to 2.5kHz to get a 4x12 cabinet sound reduce it to 1kHz

Acoustic Guitar ....... Fullness at 80Hz;body at 240Hz and presence at 2 - 5kHz

Organ ....... Fullness at 80Hz; body at 240Hz; presence at 2 - 5 kHz

Piano..... Fullness at 80Hz; presence at 2.5 - 5kHz;Honky- tonk at 2.5kHz

Horns ...... Fullness at 120 - 240Hz; piercing at 5kHz

Vocals or Voice ...... Fullness at 120Hz; boominess at 240Hz;presence at 5kHz; sibilance at 5kHz; air at 10- 5kHz

Strings ..... Fullness at 240Hz; scratchiness at7 - 10kHz

Conga ...... Ring at 200Hz; slap at 5kHz


Tip

set your Freq: up as Presets. when Eqing your track sweep the Freq's to find the sweetspot. Don't forget to use your gain in your Eqing.

I hope I have helped you all out!

Ken Sutton

__________________
Ken Sutton
WaterFall Records. / SweetKenny Sound.
www.waterfallrecordings.com
www.sweetkenny.com