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How do you choose the best EQ plugin for mixing rock?

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EQ plugins are essential tools for mixing rock music, as they allow you to shape the frequency balance and tone of your tracks. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best EQ plugin for your mix? In this article, we'll give you some tips and criteria to help you make an informed decision.

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Chris Frost

Neurodivergent Lead Game Audio Music Composer | Specialist in Rock/Metal scores and production | BAFTA Connect Member
Gabriel Desir

Life Long Software Development Enthusiast Seeking Opportunities to Expand Skills and Make a Positive Impact in Tech |…
Shane Hazleton

Producer, 1x1 Music Technology Education Freelance, Mentor and Instructor at Pyramind Music & Audio Production Institute

1 Know your goals

The first step to choosing the best EQ plugin for mixing rock is to know what you want to achieve with your EQ moves. Are you trying to fix problems, enhance strengths, create contrast, or blend elements? Depending on your goals, you might need different types of EQ plugins, such as parametric, graphic, dynamic, or linear-phase. For example, if you want to correct narrow frequency issues, a parametric EQ with a high Q factor might be more suitable than a graphic EQ with fixed bands.

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2 Understand your genre

The second step to choosing the best EQ plugin for mixing rock is to understand the characteristics and conventions of your genre. Rock music is a broad term that encompasses many subgenres, such as hard rock, indie rock, pop rock, or metal. Each subgenre has its own sonic signature and expectations, which can influence your EQ decisions. For example, if you're mixing metal, you might want to boost the high frequencies of your guitars and drums to create more aggression and clarity, while if you're mixing indie rock, you might want to cut some highs and lows to create more warmth and vintage vibe.

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Chris Frost

Neurodivergent Lead Game Audio Music Composer | Specialist in Rock/Metal scores and production | BAFTA Connect Member
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I agree with this breakdown. I find a subtle 2khz boost brings out the definition of the Guitars in the mix, but of course this isn’t a blanket for all mixes. Different Guitars, Pickups and Amps play a pivotal role in how you should EQ them.

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3 Compare your options

The third step to choosing the best EQ plugin for mixing rock is to compare your options and see how they affect your mix. There are many factors that can make an EQ plugin sound different from another, such as the algorithm, the interface, the filters, the curves, the phase response, or the saturation. Some EQ plugins are designed to emulate analog hardware, while others are more transparent and digital. Some EQ plugins have more features and flexibility, while others are more simple and intuitive. The best way to find out which EQ plugin works best for you is to try them out on your tracks and listen to the results.

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Chris Frost

Neurodivergent Lead Game Audio Music Composer | Specialist in Rock/Metal scores and production | BAFTA Connect Member
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Ultimately this is what it comes down to. All the guides and tutorials in the world won’t give you a one-size-fits-all approach to EQing Guitars. Are each of the songs in different keys? If so, different frequencies will stand out to a greater or lesser extent than other songs. Only your ears can make the right judgement

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4 Trust your ears

The fourth step to choosing the best EQ plugin for mixing rock is to trust your ears and your taste. While it's important to have some guidelines and references, ultimately, you are the one who decides what sounds good and what doesn't. Don't rely too much on presets, visual feedback, or numbers. Instead, use your ears and your musical judgment to make EQ decisions that serve the song and the genre. Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to EQ plugins, and that different plugins can work better for different situations and styles.

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Chris Frost

Neurodivergent Lead Game Audio Music Composer | Specialist in Rock/Metal scores and production | BAFTA Connect Member
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Another caveat I would add here is that the Guitars on their own do not make the entirety of the melodic content of the track. The Guitars should be mixed homogeneously with the Bass, and your ultimate goal here is to make ALL Guitars (including bass) create that solid wall of unity, power and (in the case of Metal) rhythmical aggression. So my advise is not to mix/EQ the Guitars solo’d, but with the Bass.

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5 Learn from the pros

The fifth step to choosing the best EQ plugin for mixing rock is to learn from the pros and see how they use EQ plugins in their mixes. You can find many tutorials, interviews, articles, or podcasts that feature professional rock mixers and their tips and tricks. You can also analyze some of your favorite rock songs and see how they are mixed and EQ'd. By learning from the pros, you can get some inspiration and insight into how to use EQ plugins effectively and creatively in your own mixes.

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Chris Frost

Neurodivergent Lead Game Audio Music Composer | Specialist in Rock/Metal scores and production | BAFTA Connect Member
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An important caveat I would add here is to bear in mind that most, if not all, reference tracks you listen to will be mastered and that affects how they sound too. I would suggest running a temporary mastering plug-in on your master bus (such as Ozone) whilst mixing your track, which can help a lot. Bypass it for your final bounce before handing it to a mastering engineer.

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6 Experiment and have fun

The sixth and final step to choosing the best EQ plugin for mixing rock is to experiment and have fun with your EQ plugins. Don't be afraid to try new things, break some rules, or make some mistakes. You might discover some new sounds, techniques, or combinations that work well for your mix. You might also find that you don't need as much EQ as you think, or that you can use EQ in unconventional ways. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and the outcome of your EQ choices.

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Chris Frost

Neurodivergent Lead Game Audio Music Composer | Specialist in Rock/Metal scores and production | BAFTA Connect Member
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It is also important to note that if you find you are EQing your Guitars in an extreme way, it’s likely something went wrong. EQ should be the cherry on top, not the cake itself, and if you are EQing overly heavy, then your source sound was not suitable to begin with. Before even touching an EQ, make sure you recorded those Guitars with a DI, then experiment with as many different amps as it takes until you say to yourself “oh that really works!” You should also experiment with different microphones and mic positions at this stage, as this will create different EQ curves without an EQ. Then and only then should you reach for the EQ, if you feel it is necessary.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Gabriel Desir

Life Long Software Development Enthusiast Seeking Opportunities to Expand Skills and Make a Positive Impact in Tech | Python & C# | SQL | Javascript
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I'd also like to add that most DAW's come with a really solid set of plugins nowadays. So getting started with what you have and can afford is always great.

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Shane Hazleton

Producer, 1x1 Music Technology Education Freelance, Mentor and Instructor at Pyramind Music & Audio Production Institute
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If you are asking the question, the answer is your stock EQ plugins. If the question is read without reading into it we can’t infer that they are asking HOW to EQ for rock or what setting to use but simply what is the best EQ, a presumption that exposes they may think if they buy an expensive EQ that will make their mix better. What you do with the EQ is much more important than what EQ you use by far.

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Chris Frost

Neurodivergent Lead Game Audio Music Composer | Specialist in Rock/Metal scores and production | BAFTA Connect Member
(已编辑)
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The OP is quite right about experimentation, and to use an example, Mark Knopfler’s legendary “Money for Nothing” sound was in part due to microphones being out of phase, a unique sound that the engineers were not able to reproduce even the following day. So absolutely play, have fun, and try things out. Carcass’ “Heartwork” album, which many consider to be THE benchmark in Guitar mixing which few could come close to recreating, came about as a result of many weeks of experimentation. Ultimately the room plus a custom Guitar cabinet, plus a blend of three amp sources spawned their legendary sound. EQ alone would not have done this.

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How do you choose the best EQ plugin for mixing rock?

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1 Know your goals

2 Understand your genre

3 Compare your options

4 Trust your ears

5 Learn from the pros

6 Experiment and have fun

7 Here’s what else to consider

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