Wiktor Wise
EQ, or equalizing, is a powerful tool for shaping the sound of electric guitars in a mix. It involves adjusting the loudness of specific audio frequencies to create a well-balanced tone that complements the other elements of the mix without overpowering them. While the specific EQ settings may vary depending on the desired musical style and personal taste, there are some standard techniques and considerations to keep in mind when EQing electric guitars. This includes addressing problem frequencies, reducing unwanted harshness or ringing, and creating space for other instruments in the mix.
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What You'll Learn
Using EQ to reduce clutter and create space
EQ, or “equalizing”, is the process of increasing or decreasing the loudness of a chosen audio frequency, or area of frequencies. We use EQ to subtract unwanted frequencies, as well as add frequencies when needed.
Guitars can take up a considerable portion of a mix, frequency-wise, especially in music styles like rock, funk, jazz, or pop. Electric guitars contain a lot of mid-frequency responses, and special caution should be taken to blend these guitars with other mid-heavy instruments like brass, synths, or vocals.
If there are many bass elements, or instruments with low end, subtracting low end with a high pass filter on your guitars will help reduce clutter in the low end and focus the low end on tracks where it matters. Try listening to your whole mix, and slowly roll up the high pass filter on your guitar to a point where you’ve reduced unneeded sub-frequencies, while still retaining your desired amount of fullness in the low end.
If your guitar sounds too thin and lacks power, adjusting the lower end of the spectrum is your best bet. Boosting between 250-500Hz will bring out body and warmth, while cutting in this range can achieve clarity in a muddy electric guitar.
The 2k area has a bit of magic to it on a lot of electric guitars. When you need a little extra life out of an otherwise bland guitar, try even a small boost here. There’s a nasty hiss that sometimes comes out on distorted signals at 4k, which can fatigue the ears fast, so cutting at 4k can mitigate or outright remove this abrasive hiss.
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Addressing harsh frequencies
EQ, or equalizing, is the process of increasing or decreasing the loudness of a chosen audio frequency or band of frequencies. It is used to subtract or add frequencies to achieve the desired sound.
When addressing harsh frequencies in an electric guitar mix, there are several techniques and tools you can use:
- Cutting Excess Lows and Highs: Start by cutting any excess low and high frequencies with filters. Apply a low-cut filter around 80-100 Hz, being careful not to cut too much of the guitar's tone. If you encounter harshness or tinny-sounding distortion, a low pass filter at 8-10 kHz can help.
- Narrow Bell Cut: If your guitar sounds harsh, try a narrow bell cut between 2 kHz and 4 kHz to reduce the harshness in the upper mids.
- Dealing with Distortion: When dealing with a heavily distorted guitar, it can sometimes sound harsh or brittle. Use a conventional EQ to find and reduce these unwanted frequencies, but be aware that this will affect the entire performance. A de-esser can be used to target only the harsh parts of the performance, maintaining the desired tone in the rest of the mix.
- Compression: Compression can be used to control transient peaks and add excitement to the guitar track. An 1176-style compressor with a fast attack and release can help grab the highest peaks.
- Saturation: If your guitar track still sounds dull after EQ and compression, adding some saturation can bring it to life. Experiment with different types of saturation, such as pentode mode, to enhance the energy and transform your guitar tone.
- High Pass Filter: If there are multiple bass elements or low-end instruments in your mix, use a high pass filter on your guitars to reduce clutter in the low end. Slowly roll up the high pass filter to retain the desired fullness while reducing unnecessary sub-frequencies.
- Surgical Notches: To address specific whistling or ringing frequencies that stick out, try using surgical notches around 1 kHz. Be careful not to cut too much to avoid hollowing out your tone.
- Boosting Frequencies: If your guitar sounds thin, try boosting frequencies in the 100-200 Hz or 400-600 Hz range to add body and power. Boosting between 250-500 Hz can also bring out the warmth and body of the electric guitar.
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EQ settings for different genres
Electric guitars are versatile instruments that have been used in many music genres for decades. Each genre requires distinct EQ settings to ensure the guitar's tone resonates authentically with listeners. Here are some EQ settings for different genres:
Rock
Rock music often uses electric guitars to drive the song's energy and emotion. A boost in the midrange frequencies is characteristic of rock guitar tones, resulting in a gritty and robust sound. This can be achieved by boosting frequencies between 300-800 Hz, creating a sense of fatness associated with vintage guitar tones. Additionally, in modern rock, it is common to scoop out the low mids to emphasise clarity-lending frequencies.
Jazz
Jazz guitar tones are typically more subtle and refined, serving as a warm backdrop for intricate melodies and improvisations. To achieve this, dial back the high frequencies to prevent abrasive sounds and boost the lower mids to add warmth and depth. This ensures the guitar complements other instruments like the double bass or piano in jazz compositions.
Distorted Guitar
For distorted guitar sounds, it is important to focus on frequencies above 5 kHz. Filtering out the lower frequencies creates space for vocals, cymbals, and other synth parts. Begin by high passing around 150 Hz and boost between 250-500 Hz to bring out body and warmth. Boosting around 2 kHz can add presence to the tone, but be mindful of the 4 kHz range as it can introduce an abrasive hiss.
Acoustic Guitar
When EQing acoustic guitars, it is essential to consider the desired tone and the broader mix context. High-pass filters can eliminate low-end rumble, providing a cleaner sound. Experiment with different settings to find the right balance, ensuring the guitar complements the other instruments in the mix without clashing.
Heavy Genres
Some modern heavy genres utilise a "smiley face" EQ curve, with a scooped midrange and boosted low and high frequencies. This creates a tight and biting sound often associated with high-gain playing. This EQ style can also work well for clean playing, providing a "glassy" tone.
It is important to note that these are just starting points, and EQ settings may vary depending on the specific mix and the desired tone. The art of EQing guitars involves understanding the role of different frequency bands and making adjustments to suit the musical narrative.
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Using filters to clean up the mix
EQ, or "equalizing," is the process of increasing or decreasing the loudness of a chosen audio frequency or band of frequencies. EQ is used to subtract unwanted frequencies and add frequencies when needed.
When it comes to electric guitars, EQ is often a matter of taste. We EQ electric guitars to make space for other parts of the mix, reduce unwanted harsh or ringing frequencies, and occasionally sweeten certain frequency areas with additive EQ.
- Start by listening to your whole mix and slowly sweeping a high pass filter on your guitar up until you've reduced unneeded sub-frequencies while retaining the desired amount of fullness in the low end. The low end is where the thickness of the electric guitar inhabits, so be mindful of how much of that thick low end you need in the context of your mix.
- If there are many bass elements or instruments with low end in your mix, subtracting low end with a high pass filter on your guitars will help reduce clutter and focus the low end on tracks where it matters most.
- Be careful not to cut too much low end, as this can make the guitar sound thin and overly bright. A slight cut around 250-350 Hz can help ease congestion without sacrificing power.
- If your guitar sounds too thin after cutting low end, try a small boost in the 250-500 Hz range to bring out body and warmth.
- If your guitar sounds harsh, try using a low pass filter at around 8-10 kHz to reduce high-end frequencies. You can also try a narrow bell cut between 2 kHz and 4 kHz to address harshness in the upper mids.
- If you're dealing with distorted guitar, a low pass filter in the 5-6k region can help create space for vocal air, cymbal sizzle, and other important elements in that frequency range.
- To address problem frequencies and bring out the good tone you want, try using a combination of high pass and low pass filters, as well as bell and shelf EQ tools.
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The role of gain in equalisation
EQ, or equalizing, is the process of adjusting the volume of different frequency bands within an audio signal. It involves increasing or decreasing the loudness of a chosen audio frequency or a range of frequencies. Gain plays a crucial role in this process.
Gain determines how much a frequency is boosted or reduced. It controls the power of the signal entering the mixing console or audio interface. It is vital to adjust the gain first, to avoid clipping, and then set the volume level for each track to achieve the desired balance. The level or amplitude of specific frequencies is adjusted to achieve a clear and balanced mix.
In a graphic equalizer, the input signal is sent through a bank of filters, and each filter passes the portion of the signal within its frequency range. The amplitude passed by each filter is adjusted using a slide control, which boosts or cuts the frequency components. The vertical position of each slider indicates the gain applied to that frequency band, resembling a graph of the equalizer's response.
The parametric equalizer, on the other hand, gives the user control over frequency, gain, and bandwidth for each band. It allows for more precise adjustments to the sound and is commonly used in sound recording and live sound reinforcement. The semi-parametric equalizer is a variant with a pre-set bandwidth, allowing control over gain and frequency.
In summary, gain plays a vital role in equalization by determining the amount of boost or cut applied to selected frequencies. It helps to set the desired volume levels for each track, ensuring a harmonious and well-balanced mix.
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Frequently asked questions
EQ, or “equalizing,” is the process of increasing or decreasing the loudness of a chosen audio frequency or area of frequencies.
EQing an electric guitar is a matter of taste. You can use EQ to subtract unwanted frequencies and add frequencies when needed. For example, if there are many bass elements, you can subtract low end with a high pass filter on your guitars to reduce clutter in the low end. You can also cut excess lows and highs with filters, but be careful not to cut into the guitar's tone.
One common mistake is allowing high frequencies to get out of control, which can make the guitar sound harsh or tinny. It's important to filter out these frequencies to create space for other elements of the mix, such as vocal air and cymbal sizzle. Another mistake is overusing effects like reverb, which can add mud to the mix.
