What is EQ?
EQ (Equalization) adjusts the balance of different frequency ranges in your audio. For podcasts, EQ typically means reducing low-frequency rumble, enhancing vocal clarity in the midrange, and taming harsh high frequencies.
Frequency Ranges for Voice
| Range | Frequency | Character | EQ Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-bass | 20-60 Hz | Rumble, HVAC | Cut completely |
| Bass | 60-200 Hz | Chest, warmth | Reduce mud |
| Low-mid | 200-500 Hz | Body, boxiness | Control buildup |
| Midrange | 500 Hz-2 kHz | Presence, clarity | Enhance voice |
| Upper-mid | 2-6 kHz | Intelligibility | Boost presence |
| Highs | 6-12 kHz | Air, sibilance | Balance brightness |
| Ultra-high | 12-20 kHz | Sparkle | Often cut |
Common Podcast EQ Moves
High-Pass Filter (Essential)
Cut everything below 80-100 Hz to remove:
- Room rumble
- HVAC noise
- Microphone handling noise
- Traffic vibration
Low-Mid Cleanup (200-400 Hz)
Reduce 2-4 dB to remove:
- "Muddy" or "boomy" sound
- Proximity effect from close-miking
- Room resonances
Presence Boost (2-5 kHz)
Gentle 2-3 dB boost for:
- Clearer speech intelligibility
- Voice "cutting through"
- More professional sound
De-Essing (5-8 kHz)
Reduce harshness from:
- Sibilant "S" sounds
- Harsh consonants
- Bright microphones
EQ Types
| Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Parametric | Surgical corrections |
| Graphic | Visual adjustments |
| Shelving | Broad tonal shaping |
| Dynamic | Frequency-specific compression |
Why It Matters
EQ transforms "recorded in my home office" audio into "professional broadcast" quality. Even great microphones benefit from EQ to compensate for room acoustics and voice characteristics.
Why EQ matters for podcasts:
-
Microphone compensation: Every microphone has a "character" that EQ can balance.
-
Room correction: Recording environments add coloration that EQ can reduce.
-
Voice enhancement: Strategic EQ makes voices more present and intelligible.
-
Consistency: EQ creates a consistent sound across different recording sessions.
Common EQ problems fixed:
| Symptom | Likely Cause | EQ Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Boomy, muddy | Too much low-mid | Cut 200-400 Hz |
| Thin, weak | Too little body | Boost 100-200 Hz |
| Muffled | Missing highs | Boost 3-5 kHz |
| Harsh, sibilant | Too bright | Cut 5-8 kHz |
| Rumble | Low-freq noise | High-pass at 80 Hz |
The EQ philosophy: Cut first, boost second. Removing problematic frequencies is more natural-sounding than adding frequencies that weren't there.
Microphone-specific considerations:
- Dynamic mics (SM7B): Often need high-end boost
- Condenser mics: May need high-end taming
- USB mics: Vary widely, test each one