Lochlainn Harte

You’ve heard the term “EQ” thrown around in the podcasting world, and maybe you’ve even dabbled with some sliders in your editing software. But what exactly is Equalization, and how can it transform your podcast from sounding “okay” to truly professional and captivating?

As an award-winning podcast editor and sound designer, I use EQ on every single project, from the intense narratives of “Unusual Suspects” to the personal journey of “Corny: The Last Irishman in the NFL”. It’s not just a technical step; it’s an art form that brings clarity, warmth, and punch to your audio.

What is EQ, Really? Your Audio’s Sculpting Tool

At its core, Equalization (EQ) is the process of adjusting the balance between different frequency components within an audio signal. Think of sound as having a wide spectrum, from very low rumbling bass to piercing high-end treble. EQ allows you to selectively boost (make louder) or cut (make quieter) specific ranges of these frequencies.

Imagine this: You have a full band playing, but the bass guitar is too loud, making everything muddy, and the vocals aren’t cutting through. EQ is like being able to individually adjust the volume knob on just the bass guitar, and then give the vocalist a slight boost in their specific frequency range so they’re heard clearly.

Why EQ is Your Podcast’s Best Friend: Scenarios & Applications

EQ isn’t a one-trick pony. It’s incredibly versatile and crucial for fixing problems, enhancing clarity, and adding creative effects.

1. Cleaning Up Dialogue (The Most Important Use!): Your host’s and guests’ voices are the heart of your podcast. EQ helps them shine.

• Removing Mud & Boominess: Often, male voices or recordings in small rooms can have excess low-mid frequencies (around 150-300 Hz) that make them sound muddy or boomy. A gentle cut in this area can instantly add clarity.
• Adding Presence & Clarity: Boosting slightly in the upper-mids (around 2-5 kHz) can help voices “cut through” the mix and sound more present, making them easier to understand.
• Taming Harshness/Sibilance: Excessive sibilance (sharp “s” and “sh” sounds) lives in the high frequencies (around 5-10 kHz). A precise cut here can smooth out harshness without dulling the voice.
• Reducing Room Rumble/Hum: Low-frequency rumble from HVAC systems, traffic, or even mic stands can be eliminated with a “high-pass filter” (a type of EQ that cuts everything below a certain frequency, typically 80-100 Hz for dialogue).

2. Shaping Music & Sound Effects (SFX): EQ helps your music and SFX integrate seamlessly and hit with impact.

• Making Music Sit in the Background: When you have background music under dialogue, you often want to cut some of the mid-range frequencies in the music that compete with the human voice (around 1-4 kHz). This creates “space” for the dialogue.
• Adding Punch to Intros/Outros: Boosting lows for bass and highs for sparkle can make your intro music feel more energetic and polished.
• Integrating SFX: EQ can help SFX sound like they belong in the same sonic space as your dialogue. For example, if you have an outdoor sound effect, you might roll off some low-end to simulate distance.

3. Creative Effects: The Telephone Call Effect & More! EQ isn’t just for fixing; it’s for finessing and fun!

• The Classic Telephone Effect: This is a perfect example of creative EQ! To make something sound like it’s coming through an old telephone, you dramatically cut both the low and high frequencies, leaving only the mid-range (around 300 Hz to 3 kHz). This simulates the limited frequency response of a phone line.
• Radio Effect: Similar to the telephone, but perhaps with a slightly wider band or added subtle distortion.
• Muffled/Underwater Sound: Cutting high frequencies can create a sense of being underwater or behind a barrier.

Static vs. Dynamic EQ: Knowing the Difference

When you’re using an EQ plugin, you’ll generally encounter two types:

• Static EQ: This is the most common type. When you boost or cut a frequency, it applies that change constantly throughout the entire audio selection. It’s like setting a permanent filter. Great for general clean-up and shaping.
• Dynamic EQ: This is a more advanced, but incredibly powerful tool. A dynamic EQ only applies a boost or cut when the audio in that specific frequency range crosses a certain volume threshold. For example, you could set a dynamic EQ to only cut harsh sibilance when the “s” sound gets too loud, leaving the rest of the voice unaffected. It’s like having a very smart, reactive EQ.

My Go-To EQ Plugins

While every Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) like Pro Tools has excellent built-in EQ, I often reach for specific third-party plugins for their sonic character and advanced features:

• Waves Renaissance EQ (REQ): A fantastic, versatile static EQ known for its smooth, musical sound. Great for general shaping and sweetening.
• Waves F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ: My preferred choice for dynamic EQ. It’s incredibly precise for taming problematic frequencies that only appear at certain volumes, like harsh “s” sounds or occasional boominess.
• Avid Channel Strip EQ: The built-in EQ in Pro Tools is highly capable and often my first stop for quick and effective adjustments.

Ready to Sculpt Your Sound?

EQ might seem daunting at first, but with practice, it becomes an intuitive way to bring out the best in your podcast’s audio. Start by listening critically: “Is this voice muddy? Is the music clashing with the dialogue?” Then, make small, targeted adjustments.

Experiment with these techniques on your next episode, and you’ll immediately hear the difference that a well-EQ’d podcast can make!

For more insights into creating award-winning audio for your podcast, explore my other articles or get in touch:

www.lochlainnharte.com