How To Hear EQ - Mixing Tutorial

Name: How To Hear EQ - Mixing Tutorial
Uploaded: 2026-04-03T16:06:29.325Z
Duration: 11 min 10 s
Channel: In The Mix
Description: Detailed notes and chapters for How To Hear EQ - Mixing Tutorial by In The Mix. 7 chapters covering: Introduction to EQ Listening, The Boost and Sweep Method, The Cutting Technique, Training Your Ears with Parametric EQ, Cutting in Complex Mixes and 2 more.

In The Mix11 min27 jun 2020

7 capitulos

Introduction to EQ Listening(0'00 → 0'42)
Topic Overview
Learn how to hear and identify EQ changes, understand what needs EQ and what doesn't, and develop purposeful EQ skills rather than random dial turning.
What's Covered
• Two practical examples: acoustic guitar and electronic beat • Graphic EQ with visualizer demonstration • EQ without visualizer to train your ears • Techniques applicable to vocals and other sources
Learning Approach
The video demonstrates both visual and ear-based EQ techniques to help you develop strong listening skills.
Goal
Become purposeful with EQ by learning to identify problems and make intentional adjustments instead of random tweaks.
The Boost and Sweep Method(0'42 → 2'42)
Traditional Technique
The boost and sweep method involves taking a bell filter, sweeping through frequencies until you hear something undesirable, and then cutting that frequency.
Practical Example
• Boosting top-end creates a fizzy sound • High frequency boost reveals squeaky artifacts • Middle frequencies sound telephonic like an old radio • Low-mids produce a boomy, unnatural sound
The Problem
Using this method creates multiple frequency cuts that punch holes in the signal, resulting in an EQ curve that won't integrate well into the mix.
Key Issue
Boosting any frequency by 5-10 dB while sweeping almost always sounds bad unless used for intentional sound design effects.
The Cutting Technique(2'42 → 4'36)
New Approach
Start by cutting away frequencies instead of boosting, finding places where you can make significant cuts while maintaining a natural, balanced sound.
Application Process
• Identify when the signal sounds underwater and avoid those cuts • Skip cutting areas that sound muffled • Test cuts in the mid-range to maintain presence • Add a gentle high-pass slope for refinement
Advantages
This method gives you a feel for the important frequencies in your source and prevents over-processing, resulting in more natural-sounding results.
Result
A balanced EQ curve that maintains the character of the source while removing unwanted frequencies, without excessive cuts.
Training Your Ears with Parametric EQ(4'36 → 6'32)
Visualizer-Free Learning
Use EQs without visualizers like Slick EQ, a free plugin, to train your ears by listening rather than relying on visual feedback.
How It Works
• Mid band covers 100 Hz to 10 kHz spectrum • Cut the gain by 7-8 dB to start • Sweep through frequencies using only your ears • Listen for where the signal sounds balanced and natural
Benefits
This approach trains your ears significantly more than visual tweaking and helps you identify exact frequencies where balance occurs.
Key Learning
Finding the magic frequency spot around 150-200 Hz can dramatically clean up boomy sources while maintaining adequate presence.
Cutting in Complex Mixes(6'32 → 8'58)
Challenge in Full Production
When boosting frequencies in a full mix, subtle changes are difficult to hear because they're being added to an already dense production.
Boost and Sweep Limitations
• Boosting high frequencies lifts hi-hats and snare snap but may not indicate a real problem • Boosting mid frequencies creates muddiness while also pulling up kick drum punch • Boosting low frequencies sounds distorted and overwhelming • Difficult to determine if changes are actually needed
Cutting Method Advantage
Making cuts immediately reveals what's missing from the mix—important frequencies become obviously absent when removed.
Frequency Discovery
Testing cuts around 150-160 Hz reveals where buildup occurs without destroying the overall balance of the mix.
Advanced EQ Tools and Techniques(8'58 → 10'28)
Soloing Frequency Bands
Many EQs allow you to solo specific frequency bands to isolate and hear exactly what's in that range without the rest of the mix.
Using iZotope Ozone
• Press Alt and left-click to solo a frequency band • Use the scroll wheel to adjust band width • Isolate different elements like punch, snap, or crunch • Understand the characteristics of specific frequency ranges
Using SPAN Plugin
Free analyzer plugin that allows soloing bands with Ctrl+A and left-click for hearing isolated frequency content.
Training Benefit
Soloing frequencies helps you develop faster recognition of where problems exist and what different frequency ranges contribute to your mix.
Core Philosophy and Application(10'28 → 11'10)
Fundamental Principle
If boosting and sweeping isn't working, try removing instead—cut frequencies to reveal what's missing rather than adding more to find what's wrong.
Broader Concept
• Sometimes problems require subtraction, not deeper investigation • Taking things away from production provides perspective • Stepping back allows you to see the bigger picture • Works as a universal principle beyond just mixing
Practical Takeaway
Add this cutting-first approach to your EQ toolkit to complement traditional boosting methods and achieve more balanced results.
Key Message
The solution to EQ problems often lies in reduction rather than addition, helping you create more natural and integrated sounds in your mix.

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