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5 EQ
EQ (short for Equalization) lets you shape the sound of your
audio by changing the level of specific frequency bands.
EQ is one of the most commonly used audio effects, both for music projects and in
post-production work for video. You can use EQ to shape the sound of an audio file,
track, or project by adjusting specific frequencies or frequency ranges. Using EQ, you
can create both subtle and extreme changes to the sound of your projects.
EQ effects include a variety of single-band filters and multiband EQs. All EQ effects use
filters which allow certain frequencies to pass through unchanged, while raising or
lowering the level of other frequencies (also referred to as boosting or cutting
frequencies). EQs can be used as “broad brush” effects to boost or cut a large range of
frequencies, and some EQs (particularly parametric and multiband EQs) can be used for
more precise work.
Single Band EQs
The simplest types of EQ effects are single band EQs, which include low and high cut,
low and highpass, shelving, and parametric EQ.
 Low cut EQ only attenuates frequencies below a specific frequency, called the cutoff
frequency, by a fixed number of decibels per octave, called the slope. High cut EQ
only attenuates frequencies above its cutoff frequency, by a fixed slope.
 Lowpass EQ attenuates frequencies above the cutoff frequency, while highpass EQ
lowers frequencies below the cutoff. In addition, you can control the slope of the
filter (how gradually frequencies beyond the cutoff are attenuated) using the Order
parameter.
 High and low shelving EQ lets you set the cutoff frequency and also control the gain
(the amount of boost or cut), allowing you to change it by a fixed amount rather
than a slope.
 Parametric EQ boosts or cuts all frequencies close to the center frequency (both above
and below the center frequency). You can set the center frequency, and also set the
bandwidth or Q, which determines how wide a range of frequencies around the
center frequency are altered.