Mixing With EQ - Top 3 EQ Mistakes - TheRecordingRevolution.com

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Part 7 of 7 - Mixing with EQ in the home studio can be difficult especially if you are making some common mistakes.
Today I want to share with you the 3 biggest EQ mistakes I see musicians making in the home studio - so you can avoid them and get on to better sounding music!

[@aaronjtrigg]

A long while ago I stopped pursuing my interest in audio engineering, sold all my gear, stopped playing music, moved to a house where I don't have a space to record, etc. But one thing I've not stopped, is watching your videos. I still find them extremely insightful and easy to follow along with. Thanks for continually kicking ass and making great content. Cheers.

[@DoTheDaringDew]

I remember a few months ago, I was looking up that exact question for #1. I was really paranoid about if I should EQ every single one of my tracks. I stumbled across a random audio forum and they were talking about the exact same thing! There were a bunch of people who were really worried about if they should put an EQ on all of their tracks or not. Then this one guy who was supposedly a legit audio engineer came on and responded with a single question that I loved: "Do you salt every single one of your fries?"

[@silverstar5191]

This is hands down, the most intelligent video series I have watched in I don't know how long. It's ironic that you focus so much on the subtlety of the EQ world, and yet, the vital things you also mention (does a track need to be EQed, consider how much "living room" you can free up etc is subtle in its own self. It made a lot of sense man, great job! I'll be seeking out everything else you have available for sure! And for those reading, no I am not a random friend or colleagueq giving a "post bump"....this is a genuine comment!

[@RasheedKhan-bm8fm]

1:00 - #3 Trust Presets 3:00 - #2 Trusting What The EQ Curve 'Looks' Like 4:40 - #1 Assuming Every Track Needs EQ

[@gallectee6032]

You sir, are awesome.

[@melomania2637]

The more I learn about mixing the more it doesnt make any sense.

[@Rivalofficial]

haha xD

[@DavidBoura]

until the day it all does i guess.

[@zacharythompson2430]

Same here! especially with mastering!

[@fenixrebornmusic818]

Melomania the end of the day, and I have heard say it, the goal is to make it sound good period. It's good to understand the how and what not but it needs to sound good at the end of the day.

[@MattReillyProductions]

Number one rule is have fun! It obviously takes time to develop the craft. Keep watching videos, keep mixing and keep taking in as much information on the topic as you can. You'll wake up one day and be stunned at the progress!! 😎

[@LaszloHarsanyi_SoundTube]

So true... fell into all of these traps more than once... more than a hundred times actually :D

[@timothysnave]

I've gotta say, #1 is spot on, and that's the one I'm super guilty of. I was working on heavy electric guitars and tried all the tricks I've seen on other youtube channels. I wasn't getting the results I wanted for that particular track so I reset the eq and magically, it was the sound I was looking for. I've since realized that I just keep making that same mistake, and this video really drives the point home. Thanks

[@SineEyed]

Just wanna say thanks for all the work you've done, all the time you've put in to your videos and such so that others might be helped by what you've already learned. It's mighty magnanimous of ya - and I for one appreciate it. Thanks Graham!..

[@heavymetalmixer91]

Awesome EQ videos. Is there any chance you make a series about "Mixing with Reverb"?

[@jntwyatt]

Thx very much Graham!! For the video and the download. You certainly give us a lot of good info, and practical reminders,.... for the novice as well as the more experienced.

[@Pearlpassionstudio]

Excellent points Graham. Especially on your last quote or first on the list about putting on a EQ just because....make huge sense to me. I try to move mics around and get the best placement. But I usually do put a high pass filter on many of my drum tracks, subtractive EQ. Thanks for your tips..

[@relaxmarco]

Loves these series, best videos I watched on the topic. Big help. Thanks for all the insight.

[@OxygenBeats]

totally agree 10000% on the presets and everything else too

[@jasonkylen2120]

I liked your energy in this video, thanks Graham.

[@elvinlewis4233]

Brilliant! You are really good at explaining very technical recording aspects to newbies. Glad I bought your course, even though it did sting a little.

[@JessicaWilliamson]

Great video, Tip 1 (last one) absolutely caught me off guard! Thank you so much!

[@evad520]

"You don't have to use an EQ on every track." If you frequency sweep everything your mixes are going to sound better. I don't generally use EQ to "enhance". In fact I can't remember the last time I did an EQ boost. But I definitely recommend a "cleaning" EQ on everything. Signed a guy who has been doing this both in studio and live for close to 30 years.

[@SoulMotivationRecords]

This is great man. Just downloaded your checklist! Learning lots!

[@ToxicxEternity]

Guilty of #1 many times over. I've found recently that having just a slight amount of conflict / masking on a track can bring some excitement in a mix instead of everything being isolated from each other with too much EQ

[@alexwalker9017]

Graham...thanks for all the great advice and really helpful tips by email! Top notch channel.

[@LakshayKukreja11]

1 more mistake people make with EQ - Overdoing it! Actually this one is related to the 3rd mistake. But a little different! Thanks Graham, for the very basic series! Even the greatest mixers have to be reminded of the basics once in a while...

[@maxandersson7403]

Although I agree most of what you say and I enjoy watching your youtube videos, I have recently started looking at a spectrogram when mixing, because I dont trust my headphones and monitors and ears (I dont even hear 10khz properly with my right ear). What I think sounds great doesnt mean its perfectly mixed. By using a spectrogram (actually Fabfilter Pro-Q2 on the mixbuss with a tilt of 4.5) I can easily see when a song has too much brightness etc. If a song have way too much brightness according to the spectrogram I can trust this and then I reduce the high frequencies of the less important instruments and THEN I use a paid of my headphones that have too much brightness themselves, because then the "way too much brightness" can be solved before the mastering stage. I know a lot of professionals use reference tracks, but then its important to find really great mixes, and its not even certain that a grammy nominated mix is perfectly mixed. I once used such an album of similar mixed tracks and this made all my own tracks sound too bright because the reference tracks were too bright, although I didnt know in the beginning. Now I just use the spectrogram with reference tracks too. Without a spectrogram I would have to use lots of reference monitors and headphones and would almost be scared to listen to my songs on audio systems outside my own place - for instance when mixing on headphones or 7" monitors that dont play frequencies below 100hz that well, and then afterwards listen to the songs on an audio system with a subwoofer... big trouble.

[@sinsofthesister5443]

Simple but very important ideas. Great video!

[@InaDanu]

You're the greatest. Thank you for your awesome tricks! especially for the eqing series. learned a lot from it cause I just started out to record and mix music. all acoustic, but still :)

[@jameschannon4816]

Thanks for another great video. Always informative. Cheers.

[@LongerThanHuey1]

Thanks for the Checklist! love the new EP!

[@marcomizzoni8323]

Well said Graham!!! Thank you for what you do.

[@jerrelwilson236]

Thanks for this series Graham..

[@l.harrison9725]

more valuable insights, Thanks, Graham

[@scottturek4655]

You say don't use EQ on every track, but what about low/high cuts? You should still filter out any of the information that isn't being truly used.

[@michaellarsen180]

I guess if you track it right the first time, you have already made you significant low cuts and such so everything unneccesary is filtered out before it hits the DAW.

[@INITIATE_MUSIC]

you're right on that. you should still high and low cut what isn't needed, BUT its not necessary on every track, sometimes you can get away with not using eq as long as you don't have those frequencies building up on multiple tracks in the same area of the spectrum where it starts effecting the overall tone of your mix, but if you can get away with not using the eq, your music will sound more natural in the long run and have better tonal quality because you arent manipulating it with things like eq or compression, etc.

[@JohnMorris-ge6hq]

Scott Turek What he said was, "You don't have to use eq on every track."

[@MattReillyProductions]

You don't have to EQ every single track in order to have a completed mix. A professor of mine brought up a great point in a lecture a few years back- "is it really worth a mixing engineer's time to EQ and tweak the eggshaker track that's panned off to the side and pushed way back the mix?" Make a few elements of the song your focal point and let the other elements be. Processing each track can often do more harm than good.

[@frederickherrmann9719]

Good point! Especially when recording with a mic.

[@Hzzzed]

Thanks for Your work! I really appreciate that!

[@damoon57]

Thanks budy for this lovely and usefull video you made for us . i have a question about the last mistake you mentioned , how can we should figure out if our sound needs to get fix with Eq or something else ?

[@thesubempire1142]

Well, Graham, the first two mistakes (number 2 and 3) I think they are universal, but shouldn't the mistake number one be considered regarding every genre and, of course, personal taste? For example, when mixing reggae you kinda' ought to make room for the bass, so you'll basically have to add a HP filter to every other track, because almost all tracks have low end that might interfere with the bass and muddy the mix; also a LP to create even more room for bass. That's just an example that comes in mind, and it's just my opinion. You're doing a great job with the series! Keep it going and thanks for everything!

[@Julio3dc]

what a cool guy are you, thank you so much for your time and effort

[@nichetone6547]

Hi Graham! Really appreciate all of the info over the past couple years. I'd been making home recordings on Audacity for a long time and realized I needed to make the change to a better DAW but was frightened to go about doing it thinking I'd break the bank. I now have a Focusrite Scarlett with Pro Tools One and am so happy! My question is, how would you go about making things sound the best for a mix that includes a lot of Midi tracks as well as a few audio tracks? For example, I find myself recording an acoustic guitar with a condenser mic and it sounds great, but when I'm mixing in it with midi drums and bass, I don't normally like the sound of it. In these situations I feel like it needs compression to stand out. But then I end up using compression on EQ on most if not all of my audio tracks.

[@shockwave6243]

This is soooo accurate. I actually saw the last one coming.

[@FreerunMediaService]

GREAT! And to be honest, i allready have this in my system. Look to something else when listening to a track. Or just make the adjustment and walk away from the monitor and listen standing in the room.

[@abdela9818]

Hey Graham, can you do the same list with compression? also, why do I not hear compression unless it's TOO crushing? thanks in advance.

[@JohnMorris-ge6hq]

Steve Yes, confusing I know. You should never hear compression unless it's for some weird effect you're going for. Compression should give the instrument more punch...more balls. If you can hear it in the track pumping, it's too much. Big amateur mistake - mixing in solo. Don't do it. Listen to your compressed track in a full mix. You may not hear a difference but you will hear that the lightly compressed track now cuts through the mix better. I am 48. I have been mixing professionally for the last 10 years and have been mixing since I have been 17 years old back in the late 80's and I still have to resist the evil temptation of mixing in solo and abusing eq. Nothing to be ashamed of dude. We've all made stupid mixing decisions. A case in point. Take the Rush albums, "Presto" and "Roll The Bones" Great albums but the mixes are horrible. The bottom end is gone from these albums. Roll The Bones being the worst offender: Bright, harsh and a bottom end that sounds like it was surgically removed. Rush uses the most advanced studios with the best engineers and producers in the business and yet the album sounds like it was recorded and mixed by a deaf person. Rupert Hine the famous English producer did both of these albums. This man is highly regarded in his feild and look what horrible quality he let passed on to the poor consumer. Even sometimes the pros screw up..Believe me it happens.

[@JohnMorris-ge6hq]

Steve Yes, confusing I know. You should never hear compression unless it's for some weird effect you're going for. Compression should give the instrument more punch...more balls. If you can hear it in the track pumping, it's too much. Big amateur mistake - mixing in solo. Don't do it. Listen to your compressed track in a full mix. You may not hear a difference but you will hear that the lightly compressed track now cuts through the mix better. I am 48. I have been mixing professionally for the last 10 years and have been mixing since I have been 17 years old back in the late 80's and I still have to resist the evil temptation of mixing in solo and abusing eq. Nothing to be ashamed of dude. We've all made stupid mixing decisions. A case in point. Take the Rush albums, "Presto" and "Roll The Bones" Great albums but the mixes are horrible. The bottom end is gone from these albums. Roll The Bones being the worst offender: Bright, harsh and a bottom end that sounds like it was surgically removed. Rush uses the most advanced studios with the best engineers and producers in the business and yet the album sounds like it was recorded and mixed by a deaf person. Rupert Hine the famous English producer did both of these albums. This man is highly regarded in his feild and look what horrible quality he let passed on to the poor consumer. Even sometimes the pros screw up..Believe me it happens.

[@QuabmasM]

For mistake 3, use presets as a starting point and note what different EQs consider to be common fixes. Adjust them to the vocal of that song and save them as your own presets because presets do save time.

[@chrisjansson1997]

Awesome tips Graham, thanks! Question: is it often the same kinds of tracks in every mix that usually don't need EQ? Thinking of things like background vocals, percussion, keyboards, etc. Or does it change with every mix?

[@musicNix12345]

Answer to that question is simple: No. Mixing in general means mixing a complet song and not mixing a single instrument. In most cases single instrument or a sound doesn't need EQ if it's recorded properly. EQ is used to carve out frequencies that don't work in the mix and mask other sounds. In example, if you have piano and guitar playing together you will probably have to cut frequencies that are masking other instrument and boost ones that define the instrument character. But if you only have a piano, you will only need to do subtle EQing because there is no fighting for space in the mix. So basically, it's all about a song arrangement, personal preferences and level of experience. Hope this helps... Cheers, mate.

[@JohnMorris-ge6hq]

musicNix12345 Eq can also be used to sculpture out a certain sound you want. I agree though. Using eq to fix bad recordings - poor form, but you would be surprised at how many big name pros fix it in the mix.

[@musicNix12345]

I agree, but that's another topic :)

[@JulianFernandez]

The point is that presets are starting points and it´s easier to switch different ones that could be inspiring. Scheps loves presets. :)

[@pecacartun]

It should be more and more videos like this one. Even better - with some examples, to prove what is saying about...

[@Operator11X]

This is a good video! Anyway IMO before using any effects Comp,Reverb and Eq or Delay, First you need to figure out what kind of Mixing you sounds want it to be(GOAL). Without any goal you cannot be done because you will always think if its enough or maybe too much! Second it needs to be natural,If your voice is crappy or the tune of the effect on your guitar is good enough dont think that any EQ,Compressor and reverb can make it right NO! Acceptance and be satisfied on your project if you are not a Real Audio Engineer there's no way that you can beat any Professional and the last Dont waste your money to have a million dollar Recording Studio!

[@Iamstarchildd]

I enjoy your vids bro. Thanks.

Thanks, man. Great tips.

[@JessicaWat25]

Hey Graham can you make a video on how to optimize your mac or pc for music production?

[@strive.126]

Awesome tips Graham! you look like David Beckham with your current hair cut and look! ⚽

[@AceDeclan]

I agree with them except for the last one. I think the last one really just means don’t use EQ on everything unless you know what you’re doing. Removing frequencies below 100Hz on a high hat or click is definitely a good idea just to make sure there are no sub frequencies in there.

[@johnbrown8740]

Graham... Have you ever done a mix where there were tracks that you did absolutely no EQing to and what tracks were they... Vocal, guitar ???

[@brandon1492]

This guy. Is the man.

[@QuabmasM]

For mistake 2, know your trusty EQ. No 2 visuals of 2 different EQs will show the same thing. Ears are no more perfect than eyes however visuals are a great aid in finding certain issues and helping the brain to learn more in terms of understanding. Using different EQs to learn it will hurt unless you note what Graham said and realize what you hear and what you see will never match perfectly however just like mastering engineers rely on a trusty room theyve set up to hear all the nuances the exact same way they heard it when they mastered grammy award winning albums yesterday, so can you trust the visuals of an EQ you watched as you listened to dozens of mastered songs, experimented with, and mixed with for years. Graham is right but the visual can help you if you learn all of a specific EQ's ways of illustrating sound. As sure as we use visual terms with music, actual visuals can help the way you understand the mix if youre careful.

[@alexanders562]

over time I see pre-sets as an example to look at. I have looked at some pre-sets and thought, "Hmm, I would have not thought to boost the x all the way to y." They give us one idea to consider. In my beginning they were slapped on stuff willy nilly and I made a mess. Now I see them as reference, for instance what do they suggest to bring out the 'vintage tube bass amp' or 'funky slap' in my mix. I figure if I like it a little I can make adjustments from there.

[@patrickglieca6431]

Good and funny :) But it lacks one crucial point related to the first (winner): "The source" aka "Pre/Post out" aka "Someone already did the job" aka "I bought those sounds on a commercial CD (for example)" In other words to simplify: Why will I trick something that Engineers strives to adjust before me :) (I don't talk about the EQ presets here) In all other cases (Pre out and exceptions) you can start to ask yourself one or two questions about EQ.

[@NicoGrundMusic]

Very helpful! But don't I have to put a subtle high pass filter on every track so everything is cut out that I can't even hear?

[@JohnMorris-ge6hq]

Nico Grund Wait. You high passed the kick and bass?

[@NicoGrundMusic]

Well yeah, even kick and bass have frequencies we can't hear, like for example infrasound below 30 Hz or such

[@dreeze49]

You're awesome! Thank you!

[@RBGMusicEnt]

i learned a little and understand the most of my eq's

[@RansomnoteWill]

Wow these are gems G.

[@g-xposureacademy]

I am a rapper and don't always have time or honestly the talent or support to create beats so I usually get my instruments online. Can you do a video about mixing and mastering on a song with vocals and pre produced beat if you have any advice, any limitations that you can open my eyes to would be appreciated

[@jedirocker8]

I love how CLA doesn't care about the "rules" of EQ. The best mixer of our time... and he'll high shelf +15db on a snare if it sounds good.

[@LivinaDreamTV]

great video!

[@michaelreaper666]

Yep on digital you don't get a curve like the old analogue ....thanks again Graham :)

[@LuKe44001]

Ok, question: Do any of you ever use graphic EQ? Does it have any advantages over parametic? I read somewhere that parametric is good for recording(mixing), graphic is good for live music. I'm just curious... :)

[@itsmarcusward5125]

Hey I just want to tell you you're awesome!!!! Big help

[@TheDeuceofSpades]

Graham, correct me if I'm wrong (I'm okay with being wrong). 1) I pull up eq presets, and just listen to the way they react with a track, just as I listen to the raw audio. I compare them. I can't say I ever remember using a preset without tweaking it. Often, I dislike the way a preset sounds and form my own eq. But are you saying it's wrong to pull up an eq preset at all? 2) I pull up an eq for every track. But in the end, I don't always use an eq. I do like to start with an eq and run a few tests to analyze each track. Is it wrong to start with an eq test?

[@JaserBlades]

David Marley great qiestions

[@jubjub905]

David Marley i remember him talking about going to Namm a few years back and he was listening to a pro audio engineer whose name I dont remember mention that he scrolls through presets and find the closest one and tweaks it, and Graham said he thought that was great.

[@jubjub905]

David Marley while I cant answer for him, Id say dont over think it like that on number 2, it cant hurt to do that just to see if you can make it sound better, for many people they dont even know if it can be made to sound better without trying something like youre saying, and eventually over time you'll tune your ears to where you can probably be able to go this needs eq or this doesnt without going through all the presets, but until you get that good, it cant hurt I wouldnt think

[@TheDeuceofSpades]

One thing to clarify: I very seldom even load eq presets. I should have made that clear earlier. And yes, I've noticed I start to hear when I'm like, "I could live with that the way it is, but I'll play with it just to see." (Same goes for compression) It's just nice to have that great raw sound to fall back on when things are recorded properly in the first place.

[@TheDeuceofSpades]

Also, when recording with multiple mics, sometimes I notice each part sounds great individually, but when combined to mix, they rely on eq to blend properly. A + B does not always equal C (the sound I'm looking for) A and B take on a whole new definition when they are placed in the context of each other. And the more tracks that are involved, the more compromise needs to occur.

[@earovergear]

my biggest obstacle right now is panning.. what to pan? how much to pan? pan vocals up the middle or "10 & 2" ?... what instruments sound best panned hard left & right etc.... Any tips???

[@izvarzone]

I never liked hard left/right panning. It sounds awful when I listening in headphones.

[@DANNYFIGDESIGNS]

Lmao. I've always thought about that!!! Why in the world would I use an EQ preset?! Been learning how important it is to close your eyes. Oh my god how hard it's going to be to not put EQ on every track! Oh what to do. Going to take your counsel serious though. Makes sense. Keep the dynamics till the mastering stage.

[@grunntalll]

Oh man struggling to learn the ins and outs of music all these years made me forget the true goal of all this .....to look awesome. xD xD xD

[@sirwanmusic]

Thank you so much ! Do this trick work on digital VST sound i mean like massive or nexus ,, because they're haven't natural sound than the sound been recorded realistically,, Sorry 4 bad english i hope i demonstrate that correctly :)

[@Mcliam2210]

Yes, all his videos on EQ still apply to synth sounds.

[@belowgradestudio]

I went from using all analog to daw and got caught up in the plug ins as well! The link on your site isn't working for me to get the seven step guide tho

[@davejohnsonmusic]

I would still use low/high pass filters on just about every track. Every little bit frees up some headroom.

[@izvarzone]

I prefer multiband gate for that.

[@kstevegeorge]

Good, common sense tips. With respect to #1 - Al Schmit says Hi

[@GretschGod]

Legend.

[@bassmentality]

Oh thank you. A rational I can follow! I have so many people argue with me when I suggest we forget pre sets. "What do you know, you old fart"! yes after 59 years and I cut my forst record when I was 13! At 71 what could I know! I'm on your team!

[@bradleythekid]

An ad for Landr came up right before this. What do you know about Landr?

[@mick3yon3ill]

It's not useful.

[@bradleythekid]

You tried it?

[@mick3yon3ill]

Not personally, but I have seen the results it produces, you're better off doing it yourself :P

[@DFP9190]

Great video. So helpful. Thank you.

[@sealabsessions7673]

Hey Graham, I have KRK Rokit 5's do you think Hs5's would be a better choice?

[@fusionstudios4985]

i had a pair and sold them. massive spike around 1K. I now use Focal Alpha

[@Kynect2Hymn]

HS5's

[@fusionstudios4985]

Yes

[@kunalsoni1205]

you helped me a lot. I learned lots of stuff... I became your fan ♥.. love from India :) hope u can see my comment.... reply me if u can ♥ thanks

[@nilsbland6511]

All of these tips are "no-brainers" really, which makes everyone (including myself) feel stupid for making these mistakes hundreds of times over and over again.

[@Zelectrocutica]

it's quite old vid. but... i'm in number 2 .

[@derChili]

EveryTrack needs eq. How often did you have a track that did not need a Clean up like a low Cut or at least a tiny Little cut or boost for other instruments??? I bet you Can Count that with 1 Hand. Correct is people over eq and simply eq too much. So eqing too much is the biggest mistake.

[@NurIbrahimTikko]

thanks so much for the tips, sometimes i feels like the visual representation of eq kinda distracting me, so i close my eyes and do A/B comparison. Recently i just mixing and mastering my own song, in that song i tend to put at least eq in all track, and i do put reverb in my master bus and routed all the track to that reverb aux, but at the end when i listening again to my work, my song is kinda wet, the guitar track is not punchy (i know the mixing room that i was use is in good condition, i mixed in my bedroom). would anyone here give me a suggestion/comment about my track? thanks in advance :D this is link to my track soundcloud.com/ticholocaust/tikko-agustova-adrenal-abberation

[@RybergNikolai]

no. 2 just hit me..

[@DJPhree330]

Sometimes i watch too many videos and forget which are the top things to do and top things to never do and my mixes end up sounding like 1st Class, Grade A fuckery 😑

[@sKarredtoon]

Guilty!!!!

[@gutpileman]

Guilty, guilty guilty.!!!

[@sideast]

Step 1 . Buy some nice studio monitors - forget about those crappy KRK's ! They won't cut it !

[@stepanmk]

Presonus R80, Dynaudio BM5 MKIII

[@sideast]

Dynaudio BM5 + and up

[@CallusDnb]

Step 2. Sound condition your studio.

[@jstorm7657]

but yet grammy winning engineers can mix on headphones... monitors don't really matter like that

[@johnmorris2170]

Sid East I have heard a great deal of these headphone mixes - they are horrible.

[@modvind]

stop blinking, damnit

[@markusaurelius8807]

54 seconds of intro is a bit too long

[@robertmcdonald5785]

lmao I do all of these

[@bluba1lz144]

this video would have been 10000000000000000x better had you actually been giving us examples because for example, I HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE WHAT EQ CURVE IS

[@GruseligerZigeuner]

BS!

[@rotrecording4542]

Care to elaborate?