Introducing the Pro Eq

To Eq or not Eq...

 What is an Equaliser anyway? Simply put an Equaliser or, shortened to just Eq, increases or decreases the volume of a chosen frequency. It really is just like having a precise finely honed volume control that can be used to boost (increase) or cut (decrease) the volume along the audio spectrum usually from 20Hz (Low end, bass) all the way up to 20kHz (High end, treble)

When you reach for an Eq plugin or use an outboard hardware version, you need to ask yourself why you need it. There are many uses for an equaliser, when it comes to recording and mixing audio, but for the most part, there are four main applications.

 Firstly and more often than not used on everything, except a kick drum and bass guitar, we have what is called a high pass filter. This proved to be confusing to me at first. The use of the word (High) always made me think it was for using on the treble side of things, i.e. the High End. But it means that you actually cut low frequency and allow the high frequency to go untouched, hence High Pass Filter (HPF) as the highs pass through the Eq unchanged. So what does an HPF look like in Studio One? Thankfully Presonus® in their wonderful intuitive way call it LC meaning Low Cut, makes more sense to me. Have a look at the picture below.

Secondly and confusingly again we have the, Low Pass Filter (LPF). Now again the word (Low) makes one think that it's about working on the Low End (Bass) but simply it means you're cutting the High End and leaving the Low's (Bass) untouched hence Low Pass Filter. Again Presouns using some kind of advanced wisdom call it HC for High Cut. See pic below.

Thirdly we have what is called (to Cut). Remember how we learned that Equalisation is simply a precise volume control? Well 'to Cut' a frequency is to lower it's volume. In the example below I demonstrate how to search for a frequency that is unpleasant to the ear on a guitar track and show how 'to Cut' (lower it's volume) so it gives the guitar an overall better more pleasing sound.

Fourthly and finally we have the common term (to Boost). Simply meaning to raise the volume of a certain frequency. Maybe we found that a guitar sounded great at 4.5kHz for instance. then a little 'Boost' volume increase will help the guitar sound better. Watch the video below for a little more in depth use of the wonderful Pro Eq, the stock plugin, provided free with Studio One.