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- How EQ works on your voice
(This post is part of the EQ tutorial series)
To find the best EQ settings for your voice, you need to understand what EQ does to audio.
Many beginners think EQ can make any audio sound perfect instantly. This is not true.
People often believe this because EQ is powerful, and experts speak highly of it. But EQ isn’t a magic tool—it takes skill and practice.
In fact, audio engineers often charge $300 to $500 to create a custom EQ for a voice. Crafting a unique EQ tailored to one voice requires expertise.
The more famous the engineer, the higher the price.
Why Is Custom EQ So Expensive?
Custom EQ is more costly than many plugins or software subscriptions for two main reasons:
EQ can make a voice sound clear, rich, and vibrant—or match any tone you prefer.
Finding the right EQ is complicated. Every voice is unique, so the same settings won’t work for everyone.
Let’s focus on the second reason: the complexity of finding the right EQ for a specific voice.
If EQ tutorials seem confusing at first, don’t worry. As you practice and gain experience, EQ will become easier to understand. It’s all part of the learning process.
What Is EQ?
To understand EQ, you first need to know about sound frequency.
Sound frequency measures how sound particles vibrate. It is the number of vibrations per second from a sound source.
Air particles carry these vibrations to your eardrums. For example:
A guitar produces sound when its strings vibrate.
Our vocal cords vibrate when we speak, sending sound waves through the air.
Frequency measures how fast these vibrations occur:
1 vibration per second = 1 Hz.
100 vibrations per second = 100 Hz.
1,000 vibrations per second = 1 kHz.
When you hear sound, you don’t hear just one frequency. Instead, you hear a mix of many frequencies at different volumes.
The Key Idea Behind Sound
Sound is a combination of frequencies, each with its own energy level.
You can see this energy distribution in audio tools:
Audacity: Use the “Plot Spectrum” option in the Analyze menu.
Adobe Audition: View it using the Parametric Equalizer effect while playing audio.
How EQ Works
EQ lets you adjust the volume of individual frequencies. Unlike Amplify or Normalize, which change all frequencies equally, EQ allows you to boost or cut specific frequencies.
Boost: Increases the volume of a frequency.
Cut: Lowers the volume of a frequency.
How to Use EQ
The tricky part is knowing which frequencies to boost or cut. There’s no single correct answer—you have to experiment.
The EQ Sweep
The “EQ Sweep” is a method for testing different frequencies. You boost or cut a frequency, then listen to see if it improves the sound. This process involves trial and error, ear training, and understanding the frequency spectrum.
Use an EQ Chart
Start with an EQ chart, like the one from Producer Hive. These charts show how different frequencies affect sound.
They’re not exact instructions but give general guidance. Over time, you’ll learn how frequencies work and how to shape sound to fit your needs.
What’s Next?
In my next post, I’ll explain how to use EQ to remove problematic frequencies. To prepare, study the Producer Hive EQ chart. This will help you better understand the concepts we’ll discuss.
Custom EQ Service
If you already understand the value of EQ and want a custom EQ for your voice, I offer this service for $197.
Send me an audio file, and I’ll create a demo for you. This lets you hear the results before deciding to purchase.