Welcome back to our blog series where we break down the essential tools and techniques for mixing vocals. Vocal mixing is a nuanced craft that takes time and practice to master. With so many tools at your disposal, it can often be overwhelming to know where to start, so we’re here to simplify the process.
In Part 2, we explored vocal compression and the different types of compressors you can use to elevate your vocal tracks. Today, we’re moving on to another essential element of vocal mixing: EQ. Read on below to discover our EQ tips!
What is EQ?
Equalization (EQ) is a powerful tool that helps shape the tonal balance of your vocals, allowing them to sit beautifully in the mix. An EQ allows you to cut or boost certain frequencies of the voice, allowing you to finely craft the exact sound of the vocals, and calibrate them to find the perfect tone to fit your song.
Understanding Vocal EQ
EQ is all about adjusting the balance of frequencies in a vocal recording. Think of it as a sculpting tool that lets you carve out space for the vocal, emphasize its best qualities, and minimize unwanted frequencies. EQ can be used both creatively and technically, depending on your goals.
EQ is Important for Vocal mixing for several reasons. Firstly, it can add much needed clarity to the vocal, ensuring that the voice is coming through clear and intelligible, especially in songs with a lot of instruments. EQ also helps the vocals to remain balanced, as we can control any harsh or muddy frequencies that may be present in the vocals. EQ also Helps the vocals stand out without clashing with other instruments.
Key EQ Frequency Ranges for Vocals
When applying EQ to vocals, it’s helpful to understand the different frequency ranges and their impact on the sound:
Sub-Bass (20 Hz – 60 Hz)
Vocals rarely need anything in this range as the human voice does not typically contain these frequencies. It is common for mixers to use a high-pass filter to remove frequencies below 80 Hz to eliminate any low-end rumble or mic noise. This is extra important for when your music is played on a night club system where there are subwoofers!
Bass (60 Hz – 250 Hz)
The bass frequencies can be boosted to warmth and fullness to the vocal. Be careful however as this can also introduce muddiness if overemphasized.
Low-Mids (250 Hz – 500 Hz)
The low-mid frequency range is responsible for the body of the vocal but can sometimes cause boxiness or a “hollow” sound. We recommend a slight cut at 300–400 Hz if the vocal feels muddy or congested.
Mids (500 Hz – 2 kHz)
The mids are crucial for intelligibility and presence, and generally this is where the “heart” of the voice resides. Boosting here can make the vocal more forward in the mix, but it is generally best practice to employ small boosts around 1–2 kHz for more presence, as more drastic increases in this range can cause unwanted harshness.
High-Mids (2 kHz – 5 kHz)
The high-mids add clarity and definition but can also introduce harshness if overdone. You can subtly boost this range of the vocal to enhance clarity, or reduce it to remedy any sharp tones.
Presence (5 kHz – 8 kHz)
The 5 kHz – 8 kHz range is generally referred to as the “presence” of the vocal, and can provide added airiness and sparkle to the vocal. This is also the range where sibilance exists however, so consider using a de-esser to tame harsh “S” sounds in this range before making any boosts.
Air (8 kHz – 20 kHz)
Finally we have the “airy” range of the vocals. This frequency range is responsible for bringing a sense of openness and brilliance to the voice, and is best used subtly to not introduce unwanted harshness.
EQ Techniques for Better Vocal Mixing
Building upon the last section of this post, there are some best practices that you can follow to ensure you are giving your vocals the professional treatment when it comes to mixing.
High-Pass Filtering
A common starting point for vocal mixing is to kick things off with a high pass filter. As a rule of thumb, apply this filter to remove unnecessary low-end frequencies (usually below 80 Hz). clearing up the mix and stopping the vocal from clashing with any bass-heavy instruments.
Subtractive EQ
A subtractive EQ is typically applied to remove any problematic frequencies before boosting anything. Common examples of using subtractive EQ include cutting muddy frequencies around 200–400 Hz, or to soften harshness by cutting around 2–4 kHz.
Additive EQ
After cleaning up the vocal, you can use additive EQ to then enhance its most pleasing qualities. Try boosting 1–2 kHz to bring the vocal forward in the mix, or add air to the vocals with a gentle boost around 10–12 kHz.
EQ Plugin Recommendations
If you’re using stock plugins, most DAWs have excellent EQ tools built in. For more advanced options, consider:
-FabFilter Pro-Q 3: Intuitive interface with advanced features like dynamic EQ.
-Waves SSL G-EQ: Modeled after classic analog consoles for a warm, vintage tone.
-Logic Pro X Channel EQ: A powerful stock option for Logic users.
That wraps things up for this post. Combine these techniques with compression (as we discussed in Part 2), and you’ll be well on your way to professional-sounding vocal mixes. Thanks for checking out this article!
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