EQ and Frequency Management Flashcards
7 cards from real Music & Audio Advice practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 EQ and Frequency Management flashcards as text
What is the accepted range of human hearing in terms of frequency?
Answer: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
Healthy human hearing spans approximately 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz), though the upper limit typically declines with age.
In EQ and mixing, what does 'resonance' typically refer to?
Answer: A narrow, unnaturally prominent frequency peak that sounds harsh or 'ringy'
Resonance in mixing refers to a narrow frequency band that rings or sticks out unnaturally, often caused by room acoustics, instrument body resonances, or feedback loops.
Which EQ approach is most commonly recommended when applying EQ during mastering?
Answer: Subtle adjustments, typically no more than 2–3 dB per band
Mastering EQ adjustments are typically kept very subtle (1–3 dB) because they affect the entire mixed program material and small changes have a large impact on the overall sound.
What is 'dynamic EQ' and how does it differ from a standard static parametric EQ?
Answer: An EQ whose gain responds automatically to the input signal level, like a frequency-specific compressor
Dynamic EQ applies gain changes only when the target frequency exceeds a set threshold, combining EQ precision with compressor-like behavior for transparent, reactive correction.
What is the 'Pultec trick' used in mixing and mastering EQ?
Answer: Simultaneously boosting and cutting the same low frequency band to add warmth while maintaining control
The Pultec trick simultaneously boosts and cuts at the same low frequency (e.g., 60 Hz), exploiting the EQ's circuit behavior to add harmonic warmth while keeping the low end tight.
Which frequency range is most associated with a 'boxy,' 'honky,' or 'nasal' quality in recordings?
Answer: 300–800 Hz
The 300–800 Hz range is the primary source of boxy or honky coloration — excess energy here can make vocals and acoustic instruments sound like they were recorded inside a cardboard box.
How does a graphic EQ differ fundamentally from a parametric EQ in terms of user control?
Answer: A graphic EQ has fixed frequency bands with adjustable gain only, while a parametric EQ allows full control over frequency, gain, and Q
A graphic EQ provides fixed center frequencies (e.g., 31-band at 1/3-octave intervals) where only the gain can be adjusted, whereas a parametric EQ lets the user set the center frequency, gain, and bandwidth (Q) freely.