Practice and knowledge of tone controls help develop the skill to create a wonderful mix. This article is about mixers with tone controls on each channel or input and how to use them for better results.
What are tone controls?
Tone controls on mixers are called equalization (EQ) controls. Similar to the controls found on most home stereo systems, they are used to boost (increase) or cut (decrease) the sound level or energy at specific ranges of frequencies. Mixers may use several different types of EQ controls: A two-band channel EQ has bass (low frequencies) and treble (high frequencies) controls. A three-band EQ has bass, mid range and treble controls. Many current mixers also have a mid range frequency control. This control allows the sound operator to select the frequencies to be cut or boosted.
How to set tone controls?
Here are some guidelines for EQ controls.
1. Use EQ sparingly: Too often the EQ controls are over adjusted. If all of the EQ controls on a channel are boosted more than 3 dB (approximately 2 or 3 o'clock), return them to zero (flat or 12:00) then increase the volume control.
2. Cut frequencies: In general, start by cutting the frequencies that are too loud. If a voice has too much bass, first try cutting the bass rather than boosting the highs. Sometimes troublesome frequencies are located between two EQ controls. For example, the bass EQ control is centered on 150 Hz and the midrange EQ control is centered on 700 Hz. The problem frequency is 325 Hz. It's difficult to deal with by using just one control or the other. You may achieve a better result by gently adjusting two adjacent controls rather than drastically cutting or boosting one control.
3. Tone controls affect a broad band of frequencies: Because each control affects a large range of frequencies, excessive boost or cut may degrade the response of a microphone or instrument. Using the EQ controls to remedy feedback problems should be considered as a last resort
4. Your ears are your best tools: If you have reasonably normal hearing, your ears should tell you how much to adjust the tone controls. How your ears respond to different tones or frequencies is dependent on the overall level of the sound system. Therefore, it is important to wait to adjust individual channel tone controls until a basic mix of microphones and instruments is set up, and the overall sound is set to a level that closely matches the level of sound during the actual service or event. Be sure to check the level before adjusting the tone controls.
5. Tone controls have limitations: Tone controls are designed to make subtle adjustments to the tonal response of individual microphones, instruments, performance tracks, etc. They should not be used to adjust the tonal response of the speaker system and/or the response of the room. A different type of external equalizer such as a graphic equalizer is designed for that job.
It is also important to keep in mind that tone controls are not designed to fix problems with the acoustics of a room.
Creative Tips.
EQ controls can be used for subtle enhancement, more natural quality or to achieve a special effect.
During a musical performance you may want to highlight a certain vocalist or instrument without bringing noticeable attention to them as if they were a soloist. Instead of using the volume control, boost the EQ in a strategic frequency range of the source. For instance, boost the treble controls of the piano microphone to enhance its upper harmonics. This method will create a feeling of being closer to the piano without the perception of a "solo."
Remember to make small adjustments and make those adjustments sparingly.
Keep practicing! And don't forget to listen.
