A Powerful Trick To EQ Vocals, Drums, & Anything Else | Ear Training For Mixing Music

[@Lasantha.]

One Of the Few Channels that talks about real problems and real solutions for beginner mixing engineers.. Thanks Kyle!!

[@AudioUniversity]

I appreciate that! Thanks, Lasantha! What other topics would be helpful to you?

[@Lasantha.]

@@AudioUniversity Training ear to hear compression. (Training ear on any aspect in mixing would be really nice). thank you for asking.!!!

[@D.E.B.T-Music]

Learned more over the last half hour, than in all 3 years I've been mixing, so quick to show what to listen for, and the vowel, sibilance and haptic view makes it so much easier. WTG Kyle and thanks for doing this

[@AudioUniversity]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching!

[@southsideronnie]

I agree @D.E.B.T-Music. Same here!!

[@RoyBattyLives]

The most straightforward lesson in EQ I’ve watched, real sounds and real examples. Thank you!

[@jarekmn]

I like your way of explaining things which are messed up after watching hundreds of videos on the subject. It is a step closer to better mixes. Thank you.

[@Osiris-wm2kj]

"You wont be mixing pink noise, you'll be mixing music." 🤣🤣 idk why that was so funny to me

[@uhuhno6441]

I mean it's sort of a joke but it's also something some people might need to hear. Analogue to people who color grade video and focus too much on the scopes. If you're shooting a close up of a red rose, you're not supposed to see balanced scopes. It's red. 90% of your screen is red because it's supposed to be red. If you even out the scopes, the red rose is no longer red. 😂

[@davidxiu8020]

I can still hear the muddiness, honkiness, , nasal tone. it's a great lesson.

[@therobotandjj]

“which is made up of a bunch of different ‘instruments’” 😂 (again, tooootally get why it all needed to be said….no less funny 😅)

[@Masked_SVincent]

Really like this method. During the guitar test, I took it as an A sound with sort of higher notes. Tho I can hear the OOs at the same time just behind it

[@vortexsophia]

What an excellent video, this made understanding this so much easier to start to wrap a head around.

[@BUCKSHOTSTV]

I’m tripping with myself right now. I’m a degreed musician, so I do have ear training, but I had never ever heard of this technique with frequencies. Well even drunk, I got all the examples right after your first video just briefly explaining the syllable to the frequency. That made it all click in my head. Although I don’t mix music daily, I occasionally do, but primarily work with vocal tracks full time. So this has just helped me tremendously to identify what im hearing immediately. Before it was just a guessing game as I had no idea there was a method, but now I know there is, and my ear training can be applied to frequencies almost seamlessly. You’re a genius! Thank you!

[@B30pt87]

Ooh, I really like the vowel assignment trick! Thank you SO much for this video (and the guides). Instant empowerment - I can hear better than I did before. That's huge to me!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@wuisaac5266]

I'm a novice mixing engineer at a small music studio in Taiwan. Your video tutorials have been very beneficial to me. Thank you so much!

[@papa.alfredo]

I like the fact that you explain really very relaxed and quiet, this channel is one of the very best out there, many greetings from Germany.

[@scatterbrain33]

Thankyou so much. In 15 years I've never come across this. I suppose thats one of the cons of self learning. I'm blown away by the vowel thing. I can't believe I missed this.

[@wesleybrehm9386]

OMG, thank you! I've been searching for a simple guide like this to train my ear for months. I started sound school last fall, and the best advice I've gotten from the staff was to "listen critically and it'll make sense." While that advice was actually true, it's been slow going. The vowel sound thing is brilliant!

[@AudioUniversity]

I agree with your teachers - practice is the best method. But hopefully the trick in this video will help! Thanks, Wesley!

[@beezlebub3955]

Trippin me out, I love it, because regardless of the level of my knowledge, it just makes so much sense, I love playing with eq’s

[@meis18mofo77]

I just made a Preset for my stock EQ and omg this is so practical, thanks, this is such a straight foreward way of listening for frequencys, especially when you make dubstep and use formants all the time anyways, thanks

[@markulrich3861]

Thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thank you!

[@etiennerallu2246]

Pretty cool!! In the last example I would have used a low shelf instead of a boost. But I guess it comes down to pretty much the same thing. The vowel technic is very cool.

[@derekmillar8032]

Wow this approach to hearing frequencies as vowel sounds makes so much sense and I think it will help me move on from a plateau i feel I’ve hit - thanks. Now to check out all your other videos!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to hear that, Derek!

[@southsideronnie]

Same here. I feel behind by not going though Kyle's videos.

[@shawndouglas4854]

I love this! Thanks for sharing. I like how straightforward you make it and that you point out that it's really more of an art thing than it is an exact science and not everyone will have the same sensibilities about it.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you enjoyed it, Shawn! I appreciate you leaving a comment too! Thanks.

[@produccionmusical946]

I recently discovered this channel. The content you teach is pure gold. Thanks for sharing!

[@DesertTactical]

Just bought me a powered mixer with dual EQ and need to learn how to get the most and best sound from it. This helped a ton!

[@joeturvey1749]

I truely believe that mixing audio is a form of art. Great information! Thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

Agreed! Thanks, Joe!

[@marcel.e.c.augustin]

Man thank you so much for this content. I have been trying to get better at my mixes for reels/ production overall. I cant wait to sound better!

[@우렁쉥이-h8y]

This. Is. Great. You have no idea how your videos are very educative and helping me... Thank you so much for the training. I subscribed to your channel and website right away

[@alexfreeman7979]

i’m genuinely surprised at how many situations u use and i’m super glad u do

[@RazifMohamed]

I always find it a bit challenging to describe changes to the sound when we do EQ exercises in class. This is wonderful. Will share it to my students.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Razif!

[@ravendarkspear]

I love your channel you give the info straight forward without trying to be an Influencer. Not ragging on other channels but when the info is super technical it's easier when you don't have to weed through the noise. (Sorry for the pun)

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Brent! Glad to help!

[@feelthedash]

Very second video I found useful in ear training and the first one is also your in which you taught how to listen those in pink noise. Thanks for this video brother.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching, DASH! I hope it helps!

[@samanthajanesmith9591]

Just found your channel and it has already helped me understanding the best way to mix a podcast and videos. Thanks!

[@socialmeaslesinpartnership1252]

This is good. Thank you. It's good to use reference music while mixing. An easy way is to route a CD player through your monitors and load it with something that you know well and possibly something you're looking to emulate. So you can easily take a break from your mix and run something else to re-find things. I also think the volume is important. Frequencies behave very differently at different playback volumes so an ideal is around 85db to mix and listen back at different volumes and through different equipment too if you can.

[@joeyvillaceran6204]

This channel is a gem for beginners! Thank you so much!

[@AudioUniversity]

Happy to hear that!

[@Primatiorg]

Wonderfully useful video! In all my years of mixing, I’ve never came across this technique. Thank you so much. Mahalo!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@cobraofearth]

Melda has a free EQ plugin called "MEqualizer" that's let's you create "areas" on the spectral eq graph, where I have put little boxes that line up with the frequency sounds such as "oo", "o", "ah", etc. I find it very helpful, and also the melda eq is just a really good eq, even has a really nice saturation built in, and you can add harmonics to each band. CRAZY

[@dj_Kzas]

I have been looking for a tutorial that really talks and teach real sound issues thank you so much youre the best brother

[@KristohanongBisdakMusic]

Great content! This is one of my go to channel in audio production. Keep it up Kyle! 👍

[@tylerm522]

Kyle to rock man! I’m very proud of you for making such high quality informative videos! I appreciate you! Keep up the great work!

[@magceko]

The vocals sounded a little muddy and the mid-high boost was perfect option becuase the power (presence) in the vocals come around the AA 4k-6k hz, the guitar was boomy, so were the vocals, but the guitar is overal more powerful and when you boost the vocals high end, you get an equal mix, the low boomy end goes to the guitar and the mids and highs are for the vocals, and your ears are pleased finally :)

[@TheBinaryWolf]

I think lowering competing frequencies "to make room" for the lead voice is an excellent approach to gaining separation in the mix. Thank you. Thank you.

[@southsideronnie]

@Lasantha is right on the money. Why have I waited so long to go through the emails Kyle has been sending me? It's clear now Audio University is "One Of the Few Channels that talks about real problems and real solutions for beginner mixing engineers.." Thanks Kyle!!

[@JSRF420]

The thing here, is that I definitely am perceiving the audible differences when the eq is being boosted. Idk if I am specifically supposed to listening for the EXACT vouls or the distinctual changes that I can clearly hear.

[@niranjanaganesh5140]

what a great channel. so grateful i was recommended it!!

[@kelasbebas8742]

FINALLY I FOUND THIS CHANNEL ! VERY EASY TO GRASP. THANK YOU

[@lloydcooke5503]

Absolutely love your videos with informative realtime examples, yeah, love that. Gonna check out all these frequencies too. 💯👍🏽

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Lloyd!

[@arorasif]

Thank you so much for your videos! For spending your time helping out other people by sharing knowledge in such a clear and nonjudgemental way, it's greatly appreciated. Was looking up seminars for this type of thing in my city and there aren't really any so this is perfect!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help!

[@jaijeffcom]

Dang, that's pretty eye-opening (or ear-opening)! I've been using the practice tool just today, and already I can get the answers on the tool. I got some of the answers right on these exercises. Surprised myself. I tried it on some violin tracks I recorded in my room. What I think I found is I like the flat sound that I got. Now I'm going to try it on some sample tracks I downloaded for mixing practice.

[@rosiesrecords]

Kyle, you not claim to be the best audio engineer, but you are a damn good one for sure. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. EQ is a difficult thing to get your head around, and you make it much easier to understand.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Brian. I’m glad you found the video helpful!

[@subhashsoundmakrana4430]

Nice information

[@davidtaylor3518]

Thanks for the knowledge now i have that idea. God blessed to you here from Philippines 🙏

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you found it helpful, David! Thanks for watching!

[@dragon-id5uj]

Audio University... AU... fair to say your channel is GOLD!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks! I’m glad you’re enjoying it!

[@jeonghyunkang9643]

wow, that simple change really makes a difference! Thank you a lot for these gorgeous guides. it really helps my first professional work even in home recording

[@yorkiemike]

Fantastic advice. I'm very much a bedroom producer here but this is a great breakdown of this idea.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you enjoyed it, yourkiemike! Thanks for watching.

[@jeremiahalexander5513]

This video demystified the eq for me. Great info! Thank you!

[@gastube22]

Never come across that idea before - interesting and yes should be quite useful I think. Seems to make perfect sense in these examples - must try it out. Thanks. And 'EQ in context' is always a good one to remember.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for commenting, @mphill22. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@correametal]

I am so glad I found your channel and subscribed! The content you provide is simply amazing! Thanks!

[@narcmusic]

i loved your eq method learning all days

[@frankseverinsen7710]

Your videos are the best. You explain every subject so good that beginners like me really understand. I get these "Aha....." moments every time. Thank you so much and keep it up Kyle.

[@steventorres9862]

Not many videos like this out there. 💯 Thank you!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching.

[@RedHeadGuitar]

This is amazing. Best audio engineering video I've stumbled upon in a long time! Plus, working on windows makes you a very likeable person imho. Because no, you don't need an expensive mac for recording and mixing, no matter what some audio snobs say. Kids, better save that money for some decent monitors and more importantly: Acoustic treatment where possible.

[@briansoanis]

Straight to the point Bro, very nice and and very in depth Knowledge you are teaching, keep up the good work. I am not sure you if have posted a video on how to mix on studio monitor as when i try to get the best sound on the studio dry speakers but end up sounding very shimmery on the wet speakers, so please shower your light on it. Cheers Mate.

[@dndamian]

Hi! Why in your video at 2K yo specify an “A” sound. But in the text from your website you put an “E” sound. And you give the example as in “Let”? Thank you! Great content!!

[@DVTOM]

What a great video and explanation. Glad I found this video! I subscribed and can't wait to watch more!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to read this, Tom! What would you like to see in future videos?

[@sammiller9855]

Your vowel approach is very innovative. I haven't come across it before or thought of vowels that way. Where did it originate from? Here's a cool way to explore your vowel demonstration but instead of using pink noise, using our mouth. Start with whispering as loud as comfortable the neutral vowel sound "ah". For the exercise, we consider "ah" as neutral as it is a vowel produced with little articulated effort by the lips/jaw and tongue, as they rest in their relaxed open state ("uh" is probably the most relaxed vowel). In your chart "Ah" (1khz) is listed as the middle vowel which is also a good starting point to explore the darker and brighter frequency resonances of the other singing "pure" vowels. The pure singing vowels are I, E, A, O, U, which are pronounced ee, ay as in hay, ah, oh, and oo as in "pool". Thinking of the mouth as an EQ filter, use the lips like a gentle low pass filter by slowly bringing your lips into an "oo" position while still whispering "ah". Notice passing through the "oh" vowel along the way. Now use the tongue like a gentle high pass filter, while saying "ah" move into an "ee" position with the tongue. When transitioning to the "ee", you'll go through the short vowel "a" is in "hat", then the long vowel "a" is in "cake" and then into "ee".

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Sam! This method of listening was introduced to me at Webster University by my professor, Dr. Timothy Ryan. He was taught this method at McGill University, I believe. I don't know the full origin story, but I know that the following individuals have played a role in developing and distributing this technique: Rene Quesnel, Jason Corey, Dave Benson, and Doyuen Ko. In fact, Jason Corey released a book that includes great information on this method for EQ, other listening techniques, and a free software developed with Dave Benson. Here is the book: amzn.to/3vQpIuv Here is the software: webtet.net/apcl/#/parametric Your analysis is really interesting here, Sam! At Webster University, we used to practice the mouth shapes with the help of a talk box which blasted pink noise into the mouth. Then, we could analyze the result and adjust our "tuning" with an RTA plugin. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@sammiller9855]

@@AudioUniversity Thanks for the background information. Sounds like Webster University has an excellent audio engineering course. One thing I didn't mention is that vowel sounds, in addition to having a sensation of height (as alluded to in your EQ graph), resonant from front to back--"ee" resonating most in the front of the mouth and "oo" resonating farthest in the back. So for those who try my suggested vowel exercise be aware of both the vertical and horizontal axis of sound sensation (height and depth) as you go through the vowels.

[@sammiller9855]

After playing around with the vowel approach to ear training/EQing, including the online tool you linked, I have to say that this is probably the most helpful video I've watched on EQing--and yet so simple! I am surprised that out of the 100 some (wild guess) youtube videos on mixing I have watched no one else spoke about this approach. Thanks again for sharing.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Sam! I’m glad it’s helpful to you. Please spread the word to others who might benefit from the technique!

[@thexlr8rkid]

Man I've been looking out for a channel like yours for a minute

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you found it! Thanks for watching.

[@ButchHammer]

What an interesting subject. I would have love to study this at school.

[@axemanfishing2703]

What a great approach to tuning your ears this is. Really enjoyed this and thank you.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you enjoyed it, @Axeman Fishing! Thanks for watching!

[@manuelkoch375]

the vowel system sounds very helpful. going to watch more of your vids tonight. subbed

[@AudioUniversity]

I’m glad you’re finding it helpful! Thanks for watching, Manuel!

[@Fabsurf101]

Your channel is always so edifying for people like me appreciate my favorite recordings even more.

[@muddymudhoneymud8789]

Hi Kyle..your video was great..can you make a video how many way to tuning the speakers ...for beginner and pro...tq

[@artg7909]

Exelent content Kyle. Not only that, but you keep it simplified so anyone can understand and replicate.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching, Art G!

[@artg7909]

You bet!

[@StarOasis26]

Man, you explained it like no other. thanks!

[@tilda140]

nice clean and concise format, good presenter. he seems super mellow.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, JC!

[@sharadsaraswat1902]

I bought a DSP for my car and subscribed you to understand how to tune it. Thanks for your videos. Immediately useful.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Sharad! Thanks for watching.

[@Saltheart_Foamfollower]

Really really helpful. Thank you!

[@ewwitsantonio]

Another excellent video with incredible teaching skills. Thanks for the training. I learned a lot and you cleared up my view on mixing by giving me some concrete ways to think about and to talk about a mix. :)

[@stolencoats63]

Glad i clicked on your videos. Never heard of this method but wow its super helpful. I feel like my listening skills leveled up huge in the last hour!

[@DrumTeacherManila]

Thanks so much for this

[@qcgarcia]

ngye

[@qcgarcia]

salamat nga pala sa drum gain staging/mixing video mo

[@TheDirtymikenation]

your going to help me get some work in the industry great videos thank you

[@ririsama020]

been binging your videos and they help so much! i like how you explain everything. thank you, kyle! 🙌🏻

[@AudioUniversity]

Happy to hear that, jez! Thanks for watching! Please share with friends who would find the videos helpful!

[@luckysakonta3724]

Thanks Kyle, much appreciated. South Africa 🇿🇦

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help!

[@LionGuitar05]

Thank you for this. I learned a big deal. Can you make a video about equalizing Drums and Bass guitar. I get confused with the two... Thank you

[@chamindagunasekara97]

Thank you very much for your guides.

[@Boomsterblak]

This is awesome,picked out the guitar vowel right away,drums not so much,,vocals really liked the voice ,got caught up in the song..lol..Practice..for sure..will continue with more A.U. I see comb filtering..sounds interesting..thanks eh!

[@migrantfamily]

The best and most useful approach I have ever heard.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to hear that! Thanks for watching!

[@PremAsang]

Very new way of looking at sound feelings for me!

[@markszve728]

amazing channel/ video!! Thank you kyle greatly appreciate it. Love your message at the end too such a great attitude

[@gelomaramara1441]

Amazing channel, it helps me allot mixing in our church..God bless you brother, you such a gift from the Lord

[@morbidmanmusic]

No, not the lord,.. the stork. Keep up on fantasy.

[@nandakumarkulandaivelu8967]

Go giddy..and scratching the ...Oh..Real tutorial..those Musicians..on instrument and a interface with a basic mixer and a mic..You have made it incredibly interesting..Thank you ..DrNanda,,,,India

[@NuclearHeadshot]

Very interesting, although I personally don't really gel with the vowel association it is a great tool if you haven't already trained your ears through years of fixing your own recording shortcomings.

[@RobertCow]

I haven't thought of it. Great concept!

[@pedalboy7]

Really, really well done - the whole approach.

[@luckysakonta2718]

Thank you, always humble and appreciated

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching, Lucky!

[@vanderpawl]

Wow. Just wow. This opened my mind

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Anak! Thanks for watching!

[@wesmartin1996]

Great Job Kyle! I like your vowel sound idea...very effective!

[@patrickfarley8036]

Hey Kyle, these videos are such a great resource for me and the guys in my band! Since we've been learning from you, our overall sound has gotten more manageable but at the same time, their are often "too many cooks in the kitchen" even though I'm the "Chef"! 😖😆 Something we all need clarification on is the "+/- X dB" term. For instance, your examples on screen after making a change to a mix may say something like "250k +3dB" or, a particular frequency, + or - some number of dB's. What confuses us is, for instance, timed an engineer friend might be at a show and say to me/us "cut (or boost) the mids 4db" for example, how is the amount of dB determined by ear ahead of time like that? I may have found after making adjustments to the mids and sounding better that I did move the frequency 4dB, but never could have imagined before hand just how much would be needed! I hope I've expressed this properly ( correct objective terms! 😉) The dB thing has us all scratching our heads a bit when it comes to real life applications. None of us can correlate the number of dBs to real world results! Thanks very much for your time helping us all get better sounding music! Continued Blessings!

[@AudioUniversity]

Over time, you’ll establish reference points for “about 3 dB” and “about 6 dB”. It’s just an educated guess when someone says that. I’ll usually make estimations in 3 dB increments - 3, 6, 9, 12, and so on. Then I’ll fine tune once I’m close with my estimation. Learn more about decibels here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roTIaKxvqb6Yrpo

[@TLguitar]

@@AudioUniversity Maybe this will complicate things a bit, as it almost seems like mathematical randomness, but this small explanation about the behinds of the decibel scale could be interesting or clarify _something:_ Each additional decibel indicates a specific ratio of increment in sound pressure level (≈ *1.122). In the dBSPL scale (which is the scale used when quoting the volume of things in the real world), 0 dB is set to a reference sound pressure level of 0.00002 Pascal, which is indicated as the faintest sound a normal human ear may hear. Thus, every dB on that scale represents a ratio compared to 2*10^(−5) Pascal. Now for some math... The decibel difference between an SPL measurement and a reference is calculated like this: Lp = 20*lg10(p/p0) dB _or_ 10*lg10((p/p0)²) dB It's not commonly used but 1 dB can also be represented as ≈ 8.68589 Np Where p is your current measurement, p0 is the reference measurement (let's say 2*10^(−5) = 0 dB). Np is the neper (named for the inventor of logarithms John Napier), and equals 20*log10(e) dB [or 10*log10(e²) dB] ≈ 8.68589. That gives us ~6.0206 dB for an SPL ratio of 2¹ (and ~12.0412 dB for a ratio of 2² etc). Alas, our ears' perceived increase in volume isn't linear to the increase in sound pressure level, as studies indicate most people hear something as twice as loud when the increase is about 10 dB (≈ *3.16 SPL). And lastly, the scale used in recording programs is dBFS (decibels relative to full scale), where the ratio of each dB is the same as above _but_ the 0 dB reference indicates the point where the signal is at the maximal amplitude that can be handled by the system, and thus anything above 0 dBFS will clip and result in distortion. *EDIT:* I can see now you covered almost everything I wrote here in the video you linked to. You have some fine content on this channel!

[@blueguitarstudio3522]

Great video and practical tools! thanks for the upload!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimwar1890]

This is an excellent video! Very instructive. Makes total sense with your examples!! Thanks

[@TomiLoveless]

😎👍👍👍I like to listen to different mixes to choose the one I thinks sounds the best. This is helpful with the vowels, making things happen quicker.

[@quincydavaughn]

7:59 mixing aside, buddy singing talking that shit 💯

[@17shakil]

You are the deal man !! Excellent tutorial

[@Mars-L]

So humble and helpfull. Thank you Kyle!!!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Mars L. Thanks for watching!

[@ezdj]

I now do a vocal sweep of pink noise to isolate frequencies I need to adjust…wow…thank you…

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad I could help!