Configuring of an EQ plugin to function like a large format mixing console EQ section

Hello Moocsters!

I am David Sabalete from Barcelona in Spain. This lesson is for week 4 of Introduction To Music Production at Coursera.org. I will be writing about the "Configuring of an EQ plugin to function like a large format mixing console EQ section". I apologize for my level of English, which is not my mother tongue.

Intro

Moving down the channel strip on a mixing board, you find the EQ section. It consist of a low Shelving filter, a High Shelving filter and one or more mid range paremetric filters.

EQ is a device that process audio signals. EQ modifies the frequency response of an audio system using filters. It adjusts the amplitude of audio signals at particular frequencies.
They are used to correct some aspects of sound, like noise and rumble. They are also used in a more creative way, with purposes that attract the listener's attention.

The most important EQ on a mixing board is a high pass filter. It is used to remove the energy beneath the fundamental frequency of a sound. The noise and rumble is under that frequency, so it's safe to remove frequencies beneath that. Many microphones have a switch that enable a high pass filter. And there is a button right on the input section of a mixing board often. This type of filter is used much, unless you are recording low-frequency sounds like a bass or a kick drum.

The high shelving filter helps guide the listener to the important things in the mix by putting the focus on the brightest thing in the mix.

The low shelving filter provides the base of the mix. It gives the emphasis and warmth you want to feel in the mix.
The mid range parametric EQs are difficult to use. But it is suggested to focus on cut in the mid-range reather than boosting the mid. It can be used removing unwanted resonances.

Mixing Board EQ Section

Configuring our EQ plugin

First of all, we need to put a new audio filter in the filter section of our DAW. We drag an "EQ Eight" from the "Audio Effects" menu to the filter section at the bottom of the screen.

The new plugin

The first step in configuring our plugin is setting the parameters of a High pass filter. We'll set it at 75 Hertz and 24 dB per octave. Select the checkbox number 1, select the high pass filter from the drop down menu, and adjust the frequency to 75 Hz.

1 - High pass filter

The second step is the Low Shelving filter which has a fixed frecuency of 80 Hz. So, select checkbox number 2, set the frecuency to 80 Hz, and select the low shleving filter in the drop down menu. (Ups... I put 85 Hz in the screenshot and it should be 80 Hz).

2 - Low Shelving filter

The third step in the configuration process is for the Low Mid-range EQ. It would be a bell shape with a range between 100Hz and 2000Hz. In this case, we can adjust the with of the filter by adjusting the Q parameter, however this parameter is not configurable in a mixing board. Select the third checkbox, adjust the frequency with a value between 200 HZ and 200Hz, 395Hz for instance. We leave the Q parameter with a value of 1.

3 - Low mid-range EQ

The fourth step is the High mid-range filter which is similar to the third step. It is an other bell shape. We let the Q parameter with a value of 0.71. This filter can sweep from 400 Hz to 8000 Hz. In this exemple, the filter is configured at 2000Hz.

4 - High mid-range filter

We have almost done. The next step is the High Shelving filter. Check the checkbox number 5, select the High shelving filter from the drop down menu and set a 12000Hz or 12KHz as a Freq. We will let the Q parameter with a value of 1.


Finally we can save our presets in the user library. We only need to click the save button and ...

5 - High shelving filter and "save"

...and give it a name (EQ_EMPMOOC.adv, in the example). This preset will be stored in the user library, under Presets -> Audio Effects -> EQ Eight.

And that's all folks! The next time you need an EQ preconfigured, it will be waiting for you in your library :-)