Don't believe this EQ advice

Published: Fri, 05/12/23

I hate when "experts" give this advice in audio forums:

"Only use subtractive EQ because boosting a lot is bad."

Bullshit.

This is what I want to say to those annoying audio engineers:

I've been an audio engineer since 2006 and I've worked aaaaall sorts of jobs, from mixing underground indie bands to recording Grammy-nominated artists and I've never seen a single professional audio engineer be scared about the amount they're boosting or cutting.

EQ is just a tool and you should use it to get the results you want.

The worst thing is when students are so indoctrinated with garbage advice like this that they get scared of their plug-ins.

These plug-ins go up to 11 for a reason. The only way to learn is to twist the knob to its breaking point.

You're not gonna ruin your recording.

If you're mixing in the box, you're only a "UNDO" function away from fixing anything.

Subtractive EQ is a great method for getting rid of annoying frequencies you don't want, but it's literally ONLY HALF OF THE EQUATION!

Subtractive EQ helps you get rid of all the crap you don't want so that you can add as much candy as you'd like!

It's stupid to fear the boost knob, and if you're taking advice from people who say stupid shit like that on the internet, you need to find better mentors.

You can boost as much as you'd like if it helps your instrument cut through the mix.

This "no-boosting" garbage WILL stand in the way of your mixes sounding better, which is why my Audio Issues EQ has an entire module dedicated to boosting the frequencies that enhance your mix.

The bottom-module is a boost-only analog EQ focused on the flattering frequencies that enhance the sound of your music.

You can switch between two different frequency characteristics in each one of the seven slots depending on your needs:

Thump and Punch
Warmth and Weight
Tone and Power
Attitude and Edge
Bite and Clarity
Presence and Brilliance
Air and Space

Simply put, there's no reason to fear the boost knob.

BUT...there is a process to it.

The thing to be aware of when you're boosting a bunch is that you're adding a LOT of gain to a very specific frequency area and that in turn will increase the overall volume of the track.

That's why proper gain-staging through your plug-ins is so important.

And that's why my plug-in has big input and output faders and a built-in frequency analyzer.

I want you to see what you're adding to the frequency spectrum, but I also want to make sure you easily see how much gain you're adding (or taking away with the top module).

EQ is simply a tone-shaping tool to help you achieve whatever results you're hearing in your head and the Audio Issues EQ is the perfect companion to help you achieve those sounds.

So if you're looking for an intuitive and instructive EQ tool that helps you make better EQ moves, the Audio Issues EQ is for you.

Best of all: it's 50% off until Wednesday so make sure you grab it today so you can use it on your tracks this weekend.

Click here to get your copy of the Audio Issues EQ

Have a great rest of your day!

Björgvin

1830 E Broadway
STE 124 PMB 61
Tucson Arizona 85719
USA

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