EQ at the console

The console EQ is not for making things sound good — it is for removing problems before they are recorded permanently.

The sweep trick

Boost a narrow band by 10 dB, sweep it across the frequency range, and listen for ugly spots — boomy lows around 200–400 Hz, boxiness, harsh sibilance. Then cut those spots by a few dB instead of boosting.

When to do nothing

If the source sounds fine through the monitors, leave the EQ flat. You can always EQ later in the mix; you cannot un-record a bad cut. Console EQ is a scalpel, not seasoning.

Frequently asked questions