Boss BR-1180 User Manual page 23

When and why should I use EQ?
EQ can be used in different ways.
• To "fix" a problematic track or mix. Ideally, if you have great sounding
instruments and the right microphones and techniques and the tracks are recorded
well, then you will never have to "fix" the sound of a track. However if you need
to, you can cut or boost frequencies to improve the sound quality of a track.
• To blend together two instruments that might be competing for the same sonic
space in the frequency spectrum. If two instruments typically sound in the same
range the sound may become "muddy." To help clear up the sound it's a common
technique to decrease some of the "shared' frequencies of one of those tracks and
maybe even boost those frequencies on the other instrument. For example a kick
drum and a bass might be competing for frequencies in the low end. By thinning
out one of those instruments and fattening the other you will be creating a space
for both.
• For special effects. Using extreme EQ settings can drastically change the natural
color of an instrument but it can make for interesting effects. Rolling off both the
highs and lows of a vocal track will create a "telephone" quality sound.
Some basic ideas as to how certain frequencies affect certain instruments.
Numbers are a good starting reference for adjusting EQ and there are many different
opinions as to what numbers to start with. In the end you will need to use your ears to
help you make the right adjustments for your situation. One way to get started is to start
with an approximate frequency in the range that you think you are hearing and boost that
frequency to extremes. Then slowly adjust that frequency up and down (sweep it) until it
sounds like that frequency matches the colors that you are trying to affect. At that point
slowly bring down the gain until you get the sound that you are going for. Here are some
possible starting references:
• Vocals- 5 kHz is presence. 6 kHz and above is sibilance. 500 Hz to 1 kHz is
nasal. For male vocals fullness is at 100 to 150 Hz. For female vocals fullness is at
200 to 250 Hz.
• Acoustic Guitar- Fullness at about 80 HZ, Presence at about 5 kHz, Pick noise
above 10 kHz.
• Electric Guitar- Body at 100 to 300 Hz, presence at 2 to 3 kHz.
• Bass Guitar- Lots of "bottom" at 60 to 80 Hz, Fullness at 250 -260 Hz, Boxy or
hollow at 300Hz, Finger noise at 700 to 800 Hz, Presence at 2 kHz.
• Drums- 60-80 Hz is the power heard in a kick drum, 100-125 Hz is overall
fullness on a drum kit, sizzle and crispness of cymbals are at 10 kHz.
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