EQ for Dialogue Audio: Make Your Voice Sound Better with an Equalizer

In today’s episode, we demonstrate one way to use an EQ (equalizer) plugin to make a dialogue sound recording a little better - richer, less harsh, and more articulate. You can do this with virtually any video editing or audio editing app available. We demonstrate how to do it, in this case, with Adobe Audition.
#Sound #EQ #Dialogue
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses at school.learnlightandsound.com including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Shure KSM8 Dualdyne Dynamic microphone, used for the voice over for this tutorial - Sweetwater geni.us/XKxz
- Sanken COS-11D lavalier microphone, used in the audio sample we use to EQ - B&H, DVEStore, Amazon geni.us/UdpqK
- RODELink Filmmaker Wireless Microphone System, used with the Sanken and Sound Devices 888 to record the dialogue sample - B&H, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Amazon geni.us/ui2i4e
- Sound Devices 888 Mixer/Recorder - B&H, Sweetwater geni.us/zAryW4J
Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: geni.us/G7by
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd
Index:
00:00 Introduction
00:07 Summary
00:17 Explanation - Use any app
00:36 Before sample
00:49 How to EQ
07:17 Before vs After
07:52 Please take my courses

[@EpicLightMedia]

Best audio channel I’ve found on KZbin! I’ll be watching this video again I’m sure... lots of knowledge here

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks and I love your lighting videos! Keep up the amazing work!

[@LandsickMedia]

This sort of tutorial is exactly what most of tech youtube is missing. Thanks Curtis!

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@alex_montoya]

Your channel is wonderful, Curtis. There's so much work put in it and I've learnt a lot. That's it, just wanted to chime in and say thanks.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks so much, Álex!

[@bsp]

Curtis, I couldn't help but laugh out loud when you had a -6dB cut with a Q of 2 and then saying "it's a subtle change" hahaha! You're the best man. A really helpful video, and an absolutely HORRIBLE sounding microphone on your voice. You definitely improved the sound on it a lot.

[@curtisjudd]

🙃 thanks Bandrew, means a lot coming from you!

[@joenicklo]

No lie, I've been waiting for you (specifically) to put out this video.

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@JAK_EDITS.]

This is fantastic Curtis. Please more DAW/sound editing tutorials! Sound is so often overlooked in production houses that put out daily/weekly content. I wish there were 100 more people like you on YT!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Jack, you got it!

[@indy4s]

This was a great quick overview of how the Parametric Equalizer works. It would be great to see more videos going over the other audio repair tools found in popular software.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks indy4s!

[@Dale_Blackburn]

@@curtisjudd Hello Curtis, is there any other way to edit audio for films? I know special effects that you can add and stuff like that, compressiıng and EQ of course. But, is there any other way to edit audio? How do they edit professional films for movies? Thanks.

[@curtisjudd]

@@Dale_Blackburn Lots! Please see my channel for lots of other videos on the topic.

[@xHadesStamps]

It's amazing how much of a difference that EQ makes! Horrible without EQ on your voice, but **much** better with EQ

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@TheCrafsMan]

Mannnnnn, Curtis! I've only recently started getting more into EQ. Previously the MOST I would do is roll off the low-end to account for any rumble or proximity effect type stuff. Hearing your example, I should have gotten into this sooner! But at least now, thanks to your video, I'm armed to better pull the best out of my dialog. THANK YOU!

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@D4Darious]

Wow. You're right about the mic voice miss match lol. Dope video as always Brutha.

[@curtisjudd]

Haha! That Sanken works so well on so many voices, but it doesn’t like mine. Thanks and hope you’re doing rad!

[@matheusazevedoC]

2 big giants

[@baloothedrummer]

Darious I'm a huge fan of You man, greetings from México

[@TommyCallaway]

Solid, simple, and to the point, love it. Great work as always Curtis.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Tommy!

[@GeorgeAtanassov]

Thank you Curtis, You are a benchmark for high quality (not only production quality) instructions and information on the industry. Huge respect.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks George.

[@marshall1864]

Just the kind of clear, concise and, most of all, useful tutorial the subject calls for. Virtually everyone has or deals with voices that might not be a perfect fit for this mic or that signal chain. Nobody has an infinite microphone locker. But everyone has ears. This provides a great guide for using them. It's also a nice antidote to the temptation of wasting time and money chasing some holy grail microphone. There isn't one. And while you obviously cannot turn a Blue Yeti into a U87, you can certainly make most voices fit most mics well enough to be pleasing and credible to most listeners. Thanks, again, for underscoring that sometimes overlooked idea.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Winging It!

[@seanopenshaw]

So great! I've been doing a ton of interviews and have been struggling with this exact thing. Thank you for the effort and expertise you put into your videos. They are VERY much appreciated!!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Sean!

[@AllThingsFilm1]

A much needed tutorial on using EQ to improve voice audio recordings. You really are the guru of audio. Thanks so much for this.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Todd.

[@erina5543]

This is the best EQ lesson I've come across. Thank you for actually teaching how to do it rather than providing some prescribed formula! My ears are not yet trained but at least I have a starting point to try and listen for things as I am EQing!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Erin!

[@marlashaw]

Love this!!! I am working on my first audiobook... FINALLY found a way to sound legit!!! I bring the acting... but all this techno stuff is new to me... learning curve pegged! THANK YOU!!!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks, Marla. Happy recording!

[@hayotimmazmuni2614]

​@@curtisjuddhelp me pleaseWhen I vote for a movie, the sound of the movie doesn't come out from the bottom, it's just like a normal record. Please help me. I'm Uzbek. No one from the state wanted to help us.

[@curtisjudd]

@@hayotimmazmuni2614 I hope the video did help. 👍

[@garricksantos]

This is amazing! I've been looking for a good EQ tutorial. Thanks for this, Curtis. Keep up the great content!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Garrick, will do!

[@Just_Samson]

I have seen this done many time by many great audio techs but this is by far the best example of the subject. You nailed it Curtis🏆 😉 Very well done.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Samson!

[@AnthonyValli]

So many tutorials I’ve seen give ranges of hertz you should boost or lower for male and female vocals. I found myself constantly referring back to their resources and mindlessly plugging in numbers. I love this tutorial because you actually teach us what to listen for and take matters into our own hands!

[@curtisjudd]

My hope is to empower YOU. 👍

[@skyhr]

This is probably the MOST useful EQ tutorial I've found on youtube. Congrats Curtis!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks skyhr!

[@BasicFilmmaker]

Look! I finding videos I missed!! LOL. Good stuff as always. 👍

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Kevin! Always nice to have you drop by!

[@magnusgotander7788]

And still you are CJ secret "stalker"😄

[@BasicFilmmaker]

@@magnusgotander7788 Not so secret. 😀

[@eastern05]

Amazing as always Curtis! Thanks

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Kreigh!

[@MartinBeebee]

Just tweaked a video I'm working on for a client after watching this and wow what a difference! Went back and fixed the previous three before they're published. The hardest part for me is just identifying by ear what those harsh frequencies are -- I'm guessing that's just a matter of experience. Thank you so much for this straightforward, easy to follow and understand tutorial.

[@curtisjudd]

Glad to hear it helped, Martin! Yes, if you're already hearing a positive difference, you've already started to develop your ear. Good work!

[@andreaswoller5634]

This may be the best video I've seen so far. Straight to the point and easy to understand. Thanks! 😍

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Andreas.

[@Irishpixel]

Thank you for this. Massive learning curve trying to tune my voice. Your little tutorials have really helped

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Irishpixel.

[@xucongzhan9151]

This is one of the best pieces of EQ advice I get from YT. Super helpful. Thanks a ton!

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@juneaftn]

Wow. Your voice sounds like night and day after EQ. This kind of awakened my perception of subtle differences in hearing my voices after EQ. Thanks, Curtis.

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@xHadesStamps]

Anyone watching, notice how he cuts before boosting? That's a golden rule of EQ

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@DesertCookie]

Could you elaborate? I don't know if this is a language barrier problem or if I'm just missing some base knowledge to understand this.

[@curtisjudd]

@@DesertCookie It is important to do corrective EQ first - reduce the harsh resonances. Many people working with EQ for the first time generally try to boost bass or treble first but end up not removing the bad resonances, making the problem even worse. The general idea: Use cuts first. That may be all that you need.

[@xHadesStamps]

​@@DesertCookie The best practice is to reduce certain frequencies before increasing the intensity of others.

[@Arfonfree]

Thanks for the link. I had subscribed to your channel a week or two ago. I need to go back through your library! This was exactly what I was looking for.

[@curtisjudd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GriffinConway]

This video was amazing Curtis. I can’t believe this exists for free on KZbin. You truly are such a great resource for filmmakers!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Griffin, means a lot coming from you!

[@MyJeanf]

EQ'ing is something I have always avoided and had someone else look into it for me. Thanks for the great tutorial Curtis, you're the only channel I go to for audio. 🙂

[@curtisjudd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brotherhoodfilms2291]

Thank you so much, Curtis! You make a daunting process so simple and manageable. Great tips!

[@curtisjudd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kiwijar_]

Hey, just stumbled across this video after spending way too many hours trying to EQ my voice. Must say this was one of the easiest to follow. Clear instructions and info made it super easy to (I hope) find what needed to be fixed and adjust it. Cheers

[@curtisjudd]

Glad it helped. Happy mixing!

[@jonathanley200]

Exactly the video I was looking for, thank you! Just doing a quick fix edit at the moment but going to take your full course when I have time next month.

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@TDWu]

Exactly the tutorial I need. Can't thank you enough!!!!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks T.D.

[@grantcroshaw5789]

KZbin had me running around for an hour trying to find what I didn't know would be this video. Thanks for teaching to the point with clear examples of before and after.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Grant.

[@masterstrokemedia484]

Great as always Curtis 👍

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks MasterStroke Media.

[@StuffInMyStudio]

Very helpful video thanks Curtis. As an aside, yesterday I got some new headphones and literally the first thing I did (and have done in the past) is listen to some of your most recent microphone comparison vids, there a great way of getting an idea of quality of sound 😃

[@curtisjudd]

Congrats on the new headphones and thanks for stopping by!

[@VintageInsightPhotography]

Perfect! This is exactly the video/advice I was looking for. Thank you!

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@thatmancalledhobbs]

Another brilliant and very informative video. Thank you Curtis.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Anthony.

[@SouthpawAutoworks]

Awesome video, Curtis! Pure gold, like always. Thank you for the education. I truly appreciate your generosity (time, effort, etc).

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Southpaw Autoworks!

[@SouthpawAutoworks]

@@curtisjudd Since watching this video, I've spent hours messing around with the Parametric EQ in Premiere. Created a new Pr file that's solely dedicated to EQing audio, for testing purposes. Been importing past talking head video footage...like one scene of this talent, one scene of another on-screen talent, and so on. I'm on the 6th voice, and have many more to go. They were all recorded with the same entry-level boom mic (Rode VideoMic Pro), within 1-2 ft of subject. Although the mic is a cheaper mic, it seems to do a pretty decent job (little bass heavy for some talent). Curtis, this has been such a fun exercise. I look forward to using this technique on every video, from here on out. Thank you for keeping video/audio interesting...and making your subscribers shine for their clients, viewers, etc. Appreciate you, man!

[@curtisjudd]

@@SouthpawAutoworks That's great news! Thanks for the feedback and keep making great sound!

[@SaraMaliaHatfield]

Thank you! Informative and kept simple for newbies like me who need an entry level start to EQ. Instead of feeling intimidated and overwhelmed, i feel hopeful and empowered to tackle EQing my narration work. Much appreciated! 😅🤙🏼✨

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Sara 🙏

[@wytsekoetse2059]

One of the best video's I've seen on EQ-ing, thanks Curtis!

[@curtisjudd]

👍 thanks Wyste.

[@wytsekoetse2059]

​@@curtisjudd I wish I could thumb it up multipul times. Just watched it again before going into a voice-over audiomix.

[@Bruce-Weinberg]

Exactly what I needed. Thank you for the detailed quick explanation and process. I’m ready to try this out!

[@curtisjudd]

Happy EQing!

[@Mike0193Azul]

Thanks so much for this I'm learning tons and taking my audio just as seriously as image quality. Enjoying becoming an audio nerd and finally being able to understand the specs on microphone and recorder product pages a little better haha

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Mike!

[@ericaguilarofficial]

Brief and Concise! Thank you!

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@RolandsBriedis]

Thanks, Curtis. We need more sound tutorials from You!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks! You got it!

[@iloveshinyobjects]

Yes very thank you Curtis!

[@curtisjudd]

You are welcome!

[@StarshipGhost]

Thanks for this, Curtis!

[@curtisjudd]

You are most welcome!

[@glassmw9823]

Great video! Saved for later reference and use

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks!

[@princebanini]

I love your videos. I watched your reviews on the tascam x8 and zoom f3 like a million times

[@curtisjudd]

👍🙏

[@MK-Tech]

So short, but SOOO good! Shorter is better when the value is high! Thanks Curtis!

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@PaulWarrenEaton]

Magnificent! Thank you. Yes it was helpful. Nicely helps me push towards better quality sound in my daily vlogs. 🙏

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks PWE!

[@Josh-sx2lg]

My man.., Thanks a lot cause this has been the most helpful video on how to clean audio on spoken word. I just used this approach, and wow the difference was amazing. I'm finally happy with my audio, I was doing it by other youtubers guidelines, but I always ended up with an audio that I did not liked.., so I was starting to think that it was me. I have a fair microphone, not top quality, but good enough, and using this approach I could find the area where my mic gives a weird coloration to my voice, that when I cut it, the sound is soooo much better. Thank you, I was not subscribed, but just did. Keep up the good work.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Josh and glad it helped!

[@DigitalNinja3]

Curtis Judd dropping the knowledge for us with higher audio aspirations!!! Thanks🙏🏻

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@ianmorton5539]

...EQtastic...!!! Thanks again, Curtis...!!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Ian!

[@artjohnson01]

Appreciate all you do. THANKS.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Art!

[@derekjcooper]

Brilliant! Can't thank you enough for sharing.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Derek!

[@jonafridriksdottir6828]

You are an excellent teacher. Thank you so much for your efforts.

[@curtisjudd]

Thank you, Jona. Happy audio mixing!

[@soundvoyager457]

Best tutorial ever! Thanks!!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks!

[@thebusinessfirm9862]

Fabulous video, mate.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks, mate!

[@xwilliammeex]

I was JUST about to mix a podcast episode for my girlfriend's show and this came up on my feed. I'm still a novice and learning so I can take all the advice I can get and this hit just right. Thanks for the great and easy-to-follow content!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Joshua and best wishes on the edit!

[@wungabunga]

That's the best eq tutorial I've seen. Thanks.

[@curtisjudd]

🙏

[@user-kd4nh9fl5w]

What a perfect guide video. Thank you bro.

[@curtisjudd]

You're welcome.

[@yuanyao3963]

This is fantastic !

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Yuan Yao.

[@BenJonesVideographer]

I bought a wirless lapel mic a while back thinking that this is what will push my video quality over the edge. But now I relisten to some of my videos and wished I'd done EQ, even relatively cheap microphones like mine can sound much better with some EQ'ing. Thank you so much for this tutorial!

[@curtisjudd]

You're welcome! Yes, little by little improvement is the the name of the game.

[@cogmission1]

This was awesome! Thank you!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks cogmission!

[@freddoflintstono9321]

Fantastically helpful video, thanks for this.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Freddo!

[@nike12000haha]

These are super helpful same with the compressor video on the rhodecaster please keep up the good work

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@Fotomo]

Stunning, keep up your incredible value work for us.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Fotomo.

[@mrmattbigelow]

very concise and original. thanks Curtis. EQ can be a tough one as it's not about the effects, but the removal of what is there.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks mrmattbigelow.

[@thewildernesshiker-howtose4438]

Just what I needed. Thanks.

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@tontsa132]

Amazing video! Thanks. Sound difference in this example is like between night and day. Really good and helpful tutorial.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks.

[@inmy30s]

this is what i needed . thank you!!

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@CallMeChato]

You have a truly useful channel.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Peter.

[@Infamous..]

Thanks for this, it really helped me understand eq while setting up equalizer apo on my mic.

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@kereyvproductions5521]

Thanks for sharing Curtis! I just started a youtube channel and I'm really getting into the inner mechanisms of sound mixing in order to boost the quality of my content. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@curtisjudd]

You're welcome and best wishes on your videos!

[@kereyvproductions5521]

@@curtisjudd Thanks! XD

[@JoseARubio]

Awesome video, I've been looking for this during years. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Jose, glad it helped.

[@straightlife]

wow. Terrific. Clear. Thanks.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Laurie.

[@Andriuha49378]

Thank you so much! I've been toying with my voice-over for a few days, and it never sounded quite right to me. There was always something either kind of pithy or muddy, or nasally like you improve one thing and then the other gets worse :D But after your explanation of how to properly use the EQ I feel like I might just have found a nice-sounding result for my voice. Finally :D

[@curtisjudd]

That’s great!

[@bend2847]

More great stuff from Curtis. My only caution for others with less experience than him would be that sweeping a large, narrow boost around will tend to sound unpleasant at all frequencies and could lead you to believe they all need to be cut. Perhaps best to listen carefully for problems, try to imagine where they might sit and then go looking very specifically for that region.

[@curtisjudd]

Agreed, thanks Ben. Don't boost more than 9dB and keep in mind that while moving, things will sound sort of phase-y. Listen for the most harsh frequencies and only cut those.

[@deepakchanana3937]

I merely comment on anyone's video. But I think you're the most helpful guy i've ever seen. So many of the KZbinr who tend to explain these types of stuff just never the nitty-gritty of the settings. But thanks to you. It's literally so annoying to not to know what's going on these types of softwares.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Deepak.

[@deepakchanana3937]

Hi Curtis, And just one question, can you please tell how you can make your audio more crisp. Please it would be helpful if you can provide any tips and trips to make your voice a little more crisp.

[@curtisjudd]

@@deepakchanana3937 You could use a high shelf and boost. Or if you want to be more precise, use a single boost and sweep until you find where it sounds good and crisp as you like it.

[@StringerNews1]

When I was doing concert PA, one trick that I used after the vocals' EQ had been set, and I needed a little help making a singer's voice cut through the din of the instruments, so the audience could hear the vocals and enunciation clearly was to find that range, usually somewhere between 1 & 4 kHz where the clarity of the voice was, boost it and cut the instruments by the same amount. I used the same method to find the center frequency at high Q, then lower the Q (broaden the frequency range) to cover just the desired frequencies. That is the most efficient way to use a parametric EQ IME.

[@curtisjudd]

Good point - when you need that mid-range to cut through a mix, you don't want to be cutting it like we did here. Context definitely matters. Thanks for sharing this!

[@baza210]

This technique can be automated in most DAWs using sidechain EQ, sending the voice track to the music track as a control. When the voice signal is hot, it ducks the EQ band on the music, but leaves it alone the rest of the time.

[@curtisjudd]

@@baza210 Good for post workflows, not necessarily for live (concert PA).

[@marinrealestatephotography]

Nice tutorial. Short and sweet.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks

[@bencorwin]

Love it. Thanks!

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@pvthudson5069]

Zero fat in this video, just purely the exact information needed, perfect starting place to learn.

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@edinechannel5704]

Thanks man i appreciate a lot your work, i learned a lot from your videos.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Zuma.

[@thomasshakelton]

subscribed: one of the best eq videos out there

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks, Thomas.

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Much appreciated Curtis!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks!

[@DavidKfilmmaker]

Always great and informative. .

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks David.

[@upssidep9283]

This is excellent, thanks 🙏

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@charlieross-BRM]

I enjoy your channel because you don't have your voice adjusted too bassy. We're conditioned as listeners in this decade to expect voices to be deeper so natural is out of favour and sounds thin online. In the sixties I started meeting several of the radio announcers working in Toronto and they were all about 4 inches shorter and 30 lbs. lighter than what I was expecting :) And that was just the AM guys. In the 70's the FM announcers sounded like James Earl Jones. I could spin into a rant about the abuse on KZbin of the SM7B with EQ. Good EQ is possible like you demonstrate. I used to get unintentionally pranked in a sound room because they had my director's voice so dialed in that myself and others would "talk" to him thinking he was behind a door and there was no one there. It was the playback of his voice overs. Even the guy who did the original recording and mixing got confused sometimes.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Charlie. We prefer to keep it real around here. 👍

[@samriviera6299]

Great video!

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@_TimothyRowe]

Amazing tip - thanks, this video helped immensely

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks 👍

[@chennyye28]

This makes me want to re-edit my own video's audio! Amazing!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Chenny!

[@DaleStrickland]

Great video, thanks!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Dale.

[@aLgProduction]

Very helpful, thanks for sharing.

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@OliGudbjartsson12]

Keep up this great content! 🥳

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Oli, will do.

[@edpugh6962]

Very helpful Curtis, thank you so much! I've been overly reliant on VSTs and it will take some time to get to the level of comfort I have with a myriad of VSTs but it's not as daunting as I thought!

[@curtisjudd]

🙏