3 Reasons not to EQ
In the last video we explored 5 reasons to use EQ,
in this video we’ll explore why you may want to avoid using EQ.
Equalization is one of the most commonly used and important tools in mixing.
But are there situations where it might be better to use EQ sparingly or even avoid it altogether?
Well here are my 3 reasons not to use EQ in a mix:
Reason #1:
You like the way it sounds, and you want to Preserve the Natural Sound:
If the sound you’ve recorded is already well-balanced and the tonal qualities of the instruments are desirable, There’s no rule saying you have to EQ. (But maybe try a HPF just in case)
Applying excessive EQ will alter the intended character of the recording.
If you’re making music focused on a natural perspective, (like jazz or classical), it’s ok to keep the original sound and only use EQ if it’s truly required.
If you are also doing the recording, you can still have a lot of control over the tone of an instrument with mic technique. There’s a whole section on mic technique in my book, if you like to learn more.
Closer to the source = more bass in your recording
Further away = more natural/balanced perspective
On Axis = most high frequency detail
Off Axis = rejection of high frequencies begins
There is a lot of nuance in mic technique, and mic selection and how those choices will translate in the mix.
If you do have control over the recording and mixing processes, you can anticipate how you’d like the instruments to fit together and select mics and techniques to compliment that artistic vision.
In the Mixing stage, You could challenge your self to rely primarily on the faders for track balancing, reserving automation as a last resort.
This approach hones your skills in achieving your ideal volume balance, before turning to EQ adjustments as a quick fix.
Reason 2: If you may be experiencing Ear Fatigue:
If you ears aren’t fresh you’d best Avoid EQ
Hearing fatigue can impair your ability to perceive subtle nuances and accurately judge frequency, dynamics, and spatial elements in a mix.
To avoid making incorrect decisions that could compromise the quality of the mix, it is advisable to rest your ears, before making critical mixing judgments.
Taking breaks and ensuring ear health are essential practices for any audio professional to maintain precision and clarity in their work.
If you feel yourself needing to make enormous boosts, take a break and come back to the mix, it may be that your ears are tired and have become less sensitive to high frequencies.
Always consider the context of the mix, the quality of the recorded tracks, and the artistic vision before deciding whether or not to apply equalization.
Give your ears a break before doing any serious mixing, but especially before using EQ.
Reason 3: If you’re worried about introducing phase issues:
Filtering with EQ, particularly when using steep curves, can alter the phase relationship
of the frequencies around the cutoff.
This becomes a concern when you EQ different tracks of the same source material.
When the common frequencies between these tracks fall out of phase,
it leads to phase cancellation, which will impact the overall clarity of the recording.
This issue of ‘phase smearing’ can become more significant when using multi mono or stereo mic techniques where phase problems between tracks can result in a loss of clarity.
In this case, recording setups like drum set recording, would be at the greatest risk of cancelation due to the large amount of microphones typically used to record this instrument.
One solution to this problem is using a Linear Phase EQ, for drum sets or stereo tracks.
Linear Phase EQs delay the entire signal to prevent phase cancellation.
Now they do often demand higher CPU usage and should be used sparing, or committed to / or Bounced in place.
The ProQ3 manual recommends, If you’re going to use a steep cut, Linear phase EQ would be a great alternative to EQ with a Natural Phase shift as the phase distortion effect becomes more noticeable with a greater slope.
“ …for higher-order filters like steep low cut or high cut filters, the effect can become quite apparent as the phase distortion starts to affect transients and can make the sound less transparent. ” – Fab Filter Pro Q3 Manual pg.24
This is because Linear Phase EQ, unlike Natural Phase EQ delays the entire signal uniformly, which prevents any phase discrepancies between multiple microphones of the same source. Or when mastering as the phase smearing will be most noticeable across the whole track.
It’s worth noting that this ’phase smearing’ is subtle and generally unnoticed by the average listener.
This isn’t not something that I usually think about when I’m EQing,
you know If it sounds good, it is good.
But as we’ve explored before on this channel, there are ways your studio can lie to you
And this was a topic I found while researching this video so I thought it was worth exploring.
Have you ever found Linear Phase EQ to be a benefit? Let me know in the comments!
If you haven’t already please consider subscribing for more videos like this delivered to your new feed.
Until then I will see you in the next video.
Happy Mixing.
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Excessive EQ adjustments, especially when boosting certain frequencies, can introduce phase issues. This is because boosting alters the phase relationship between different frequency components in the audio signal.
When these frequencies are out of phase, phase cancellation occurs, affecting the overall clarity and coherence of the sound.
In the mix, phase problems can lead to a loss of clarity and impact among sources recorded with multiple microphones.
One solution to this problem is to use a Linear Phase EQ. These are great for sources where combining multiple mics together with the likelihood of bleed. Like a Drum Set. Linear phase EQs delay the entire signal so that phase cancelation doesn’t occur.
(Also good for Stereo tracks, Parallel Tracks, Mastering
Use lots of CPU , use only when you need to.)
Phase smearing can add a color that some find desirable, it really depends on the source and your tastes. It’s important to remember this effect is not very noticeable by a general audience and it’s not worth losing sleep over
If the mix already sounds good without EQ, adding unnecessary equalization might introduce phase cancellations that degrade the overall quality.
Maintaining Original Intent:
If the artist, producer, or recording engineer had a specific vision for the sound during the recording phase, it’s essential to respect that vision. Excessive EQ can deviate from the original artistic intent and change the emotional impact of the music.
Preserving Dynamic Range:
Excessive EQ, particularly boosting certain frequencies, can reduce the dynamic range of the instruments. This can make the mix sound flat and less expressive. Keeping the natural dynamics of the instruments can lead to a more lively and engaging mix.
