The Score Magazine December 2018 issue! | Page 40

PUNEET SAMTANI Let's talk EQUALIZATION! To understand Equalization we need to understand frequencies. T he number of vibrations that are produced per second is called frequency. Frequency varies for each sound and is measured in hertz. 1 hertz = 1 vibration per second. Humans have a listening frequency range between 20Hz to 20,000 hertz. What is equalization and why do we need it ? EQ is an abbreviation for the word EQUALIZATION. An Equalizer allows us to just turn up or down individual frequencies of individual elements or a particular sound. This prevents us from raising/dropping the levels of an instrument/track unnecessarily in a mix. The highest frequency that a normal middle aged adult can hear is only 12-14 kilohertz. Every instrument has a fundamental note.That fundamental note determines the frequency spectrum of that instrument. Besides that fundamental note, it also comprises of overtones. Before one can truly learn how to use EQ, we need to understand the frequency spectrum. An overtone is a musical tone which is part of the harmonic series above a fundamental note and heard with it. Let's have a look at the frequency spectrum. By cutting/adjusting frequencies of a particular instrument we can adjust the tone and change the timbre of that particular instrument. As we age our hearing worsens. Frequency range classification Frequency Range Frequency Values Sub-bass 20 to 60 Hz Bass 60 to 250 Hz When all the instruments/elements come together in a song, they will be fighting together to sit properly in a mix. Some frequencies will get added and and some lost. This is when we look at approaches and types of Equalization. Low midrange 250 to 500 Hz Approaches for Equalization. Midrange 500 Hz to 2 kHz Upper midrange 2 to 4 kHz There are a couple of approaches one can use when you want to EQ a track. One is for subtracting unwanted frequencies and one is for enhancing them. High’s (Presence) 4 to 6 kHz Air (Brilliance) 6 to 20 kHz 38 The Score Magazine highonscore.com Subtractive EQ - This is to smoothen out problems which occur in the recording process. If certain frequencies that are peaking out and need to be ironed out, you will cut/ subtract frequencies.