There we have it - three types of EQ, two approaches and two golden rules. Below are the six frequency ranges you can start with when you are in trouble and need to figure out how to equalize your vocal so that it sits better with your song. Every setting you change will affect every setting around it. Now, to consider EQ in relation to voice. Now without soloing the vocal slowly turn down the Threshold knob to adjust the amount of compression on the vocal. Step 2 in the 3 step vocal eq formula is to apply a high shelving filter to the vocal in order to open it up and make it bright enough in the mix. If the vocal’s volume drops down then adjust the makeup gain (input). NOTE: If you’re a Mac OS X user, you can add/install the above two EQ’s by downloading the file ”EQs-by-iamziyad.dmg.“ Also, make sure you have Sound Enhancer and Sound Check disabled in iTunes. Scroll down in the Effects Browser (Cmd+5) to the Audio > EQ category. Here are some general tips though: Set everything to the middle to start out. Certainly, the other instruments in a song are important, and a solid musical arrangement is indeed desirable and appreciated; however, the singer often bears the responsibility of conveying the overall emotion and meaning behind a song. Remember these and you can EQ anything. Applying EQ to a Voice Recording. Based on that, EQ settings are very personal. The singer still tends to be the most important element of a modern pop song, sorry bass players.. As a general rule of thumb, most vocals can benefit from a bit of a top end boost – it helps to ‘open them up’ and cut through the mix. Imagine the settings as a point on a curve where adjusting the point also … Drag the Fat EQ filter on top of the selected clips. In this case, select the clip, or clips, to which you want to apply the filter. By bypassing and applying the compressor, get the input gain same as without the compressor. I have found either one of the two above settings to be optimal while using iTunes with premium IEMs, and also with high-quality audio equipment. Vocal EQ’ing can be frustrating.Sometimes it seems to sound like it was stuck on later, and doesn’t flow with the rest of the track. FINAL CUT PRO X: ADD THE FAT EQ FILTER. Vocal Compression Settings and Tips Now that we’ve got some nice EQ going (or not depending on the source) it’s time to use some compression to make our vocals and vocal phrases cut through. Just use your ears. Equalizer Settings for Mixing Vocals. Anyone who's ever mixed a record will know how difficult it can be to get a great sounding vocal when it’s surrounded by 50 other tracks in the mix.. First, apply the general principles that I have just discussed. First set up the ratio 3:1 or 2:1. It is widely accepted in the world of pro audio that when it comes to mixing songs, making the lead vocal shine above everything else is paramount. FCP X has a very similar filter, and the settings are similar. In this tutorial Fab Dupont gives you all the principles of EQing vocals.