NOTE: This node is
written in regarding a
professional sound system in a
live environment (I.E. not for
studio use), not a
home sound system. It is highly desirable that the
channel on the mixer will have an an
EQ in which the
bands have adjustable
bandwidth and
frequency. If not, that is fine but half of the info here will not apply. A
low cut filter is also extremely handy.
I will write 3 different guides here, one for how to
EQ in the
shortest time possible, (good for a just a
speaker at a
lecturn or the like), how to
EQ for a
singer while
time is short (when is it not in theater?), and how to
EQ where time is no object and/or
quality is paramount. First I will include an
introduction to the controls on an
EQ.
Basic EQ Controls
An
EQ generally will be divided into four
bands, Low, Low-Mid, High-Mid, High, these names reflect the
frequencies they alter. Each
band will have a
knob for
cutting or
boosting that
frequency range. If the bands have frequency controls, you can control the frequency with extreme finesse. It is also common to have a
control for the
bandwidth of a given
EQ knob. The last control is a low-cut filter, which cuts all frequencies below a certain
frequency.
General Concepts:
- Your first job as the audio engineer is to make the person heard, this generally comes above sound quality
- Just because one EQ setting sounded good for someone else doesn't mean that it will sound good for whoever is now up on stage
- BE CONFIDENT, I notice that many first time technicians get nervous and are afraid to EQ, if you don't EQ it'll sound really bad, so trust your ears!
- An Audio Engineer's greatest asset is his experience, it's hard for novices with untrained ears, so these steps may take longer than it would take with a pro.
EQing as quickly as possible
Have the
performer/
speaker speak on the
mic, preferably using their
script or
speech. If they are not available find an available stage hand to do this for you.Once they are talking start the EQing. Start by
rolling up the low cut
filter to filter out any pops if they are appearing (you'll notice these mostly on letters like P and Q). Then push the
level up a little past what it will have to be during the actual
performance, if you start to hear
feedback curb those frequencies. After that, bring it back
down to the
normal level, adjust the controls till you have a decent
tone but keep the levels such that they still cut
feedback.
EQing when you have a moderate amount of time
Have the
performer go
onstage and make sure they are saying their lines at the same
volume as they say them during the
show (if they are
singers make sure you make them sing). Now that you have them up there, listen to the
sound for a second. If you hear some frequencies you don't like (which you undoubtedly will) roll up the level of the closest EQ band to the frequency that's bugging you. Widden the bandwidth on the EQ band. Then adjust the frequency till you find the one you want , reduce the bandwidth and isolate the frequency (at this point the offending frequency should be quite loud and their voice will sound quite bad). Then cut it. It should immediately sound better. Listen again, if you hear some frequencies that need to be
boosted use the same
method. After this, roll up the low cut
filter to compensate for any poping you may hear. After this push the
volume up past the point where it will be in
concert, listen for
feedback, compensate by cutting back frequencies that are feeding back (try to use as narrow a frequency range as possible)
How to EQ when you have plenty of time and quality is imperative
Have the
singer or
speaker sing (or speak if they don't sing) without a
mic for a short period, take note of their vocal qualities. Try to match their original
voice on the board with the
EQ. After that is done, boost the
volume to above the concert level and isolate and remove any
feedback by isolating the offending frequencies and cutting them. After that listen to them
sing, now is the time to
enhance their
voice. At this point
experience and
talent play the largest
factor. You will have to use your own
judgement to
enhance their
voice. Good luck! As a note on this
method, I often don't try to match their original voices and sometimes just listen and say it needs this and do it. Replicating the original voice is
primarily meant to help
novices.