Graphic Equalizer Settings For Voice

Graphic equalizer settings for voice are fundamental to a good mix. The vocal is the most important part of the mix.

Are you mixing a band?

Are you mixing a single presenter with a single microphone?

Either way, you need to be able to clearly hear the vocals and make sure it sounds clear.

The Quick and Dirty

In this article we will layout a lot of information about picking the right mic, getting a good sound from your vocalist or speaker (Ie. getting them to think about proximity), remembering how you have eq’d the monitors and the room, and the using the eq and compressor to get a good vocal sound.

However, for simplicity and quickness I am going to start the article with the most important information you need to get started.

Here it is…

Graphic Equalizer settings for Singing Voice

  1. High Pass Filter

    • Eliminate anything below 80hz, and unless you're dealing with a bass singer or baritone take it up to 100 or 120.

  2. Low Pass Filter

    • If your console has one you can take out anything above 8k

  3. 200-300

    • It really depends on the singer. But if you cut here you will generally get a little clarity. If you add here you’ll get some body.

  4. Cut 300-400

    • This frequency is a tricky spot. But generally, when you cut here it takes out some of the mud.

  5. 2k - the most important frequency for vocals.

    • So I generally boost the kick drum at 1k-2k. I like being able to bring the mallet sound out al little bit so it matches the punchiness of the bass guitar. It can really glue them together in rock and pop.

    • What this means is that your vocal could be fighting for room in this frequency range. Generally, the guitar is there and the keyboards are too. So I cut here on the guitar and cut the keyboards which gives room for the vocal.

    • Sometimes however a vocal sounds better with a cut at 2k and some times it sounds better in the mix with a boost at 2k. More often than not however I cut at 2k…just takes out some honk.

  6. 3-5k

    • Somewhere in this range, you are going to find some sparkle and air for the voice. It will generally help the vocal “sit” on top of the mix.

    • PRO TIP - boost with a shelf or a wide Q first…sometimes adds clarity and sparkle. If you don’t like it go back to a bell and find the right frequency.

One last thing before you move on is to remember. When you ring out the room for feedback you are going to CUT frequencies that will affect how your mix sounds. Usually, you are doing more of that on your monitors, but you also generally do some cutting on your FOH as well. For the room. So when boosting you have to think about that.

Jeremy BrownComment