The Science of Sound: Equalization TUTORIAL

Learn about the main forms of EQ and their capabilities so you can understand how each one can be used to improve your own music.

The Science of Sound series of courses go deeper into important production topics that you’ll use again and again in your own productions.

Understanding the fundamentals behind concepts like equalization, compression, delay and the way in which we as engineers and listeners perceive sound will allow you to approach your productions with a greater confidence, purpose and know-how.

No PhD needed, the science-y parts are explained by our awesome educators in a way that anyone can understand.

Join Vincent di Pasquale, multi-platinum music producer, engineer and a co-founder of FaderPro, as he takes you on a deep dive into the science of equalization.

You’ll get a walkthrough of the main forms of EQ and their capabilities, followed by a demonstration of how each one can be used in a project. By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to approach any mixing session with confidence and ease.

Vincent di Pasquale is a multi-platinum music producer, engineer and a co-founder of FaderPro. Over the past two decades, Vincent has quietly garnered attention as a sought-after remixer and studio engineer for some of today’s most celebrated artists. He has worked with a litany of incredible musicians, including Madonna, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Timbaland and many more. He has released projects on both major and independent labels including Atlantic Records, Sony Music, Universal, Island Def Jam, Toolroom and Subliminal.

Under the name Rebirth, his remix of Madonna’s smash hit “4 Minutes” (feat. Justin Timberlake) reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Play chart. The single went on to earn double-platinum status. Vincent has a deep history in electronic music, crafting many remixes and engineering some of dance music’s biggest hits, including Lee Cabrera’s “Shake It (Move a Little Closer).”

Vincent is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring producers and musicians which led to his co-founding of FaderPro. He has also done educational events for Apple and has been a lecturer for both SAE Institute and the University of Colorado.

Total runtime: 3hrs 15mins
DAW: Logic Pro

Part 1: The science of sound and the fundamentals of equalization

Chapter 1: The Science of Sound (Intro)
Sit down with FaderPro’s own Vincent DiPasquale as he covers the science and application of EQ in your music.
Chapter 2: The Science of Sound
Chapter 2: The Science of Sound
Vince breaks down the properties of sound, how it travels through the air, how humans perceive sound, and much more.
Chapter 3: Types of EQ
Chapter 3: Types of EQ
Vince takes a moment to discuss the audio spectrum as it relates to human hearing before walking through the different types of EQ.
Chapter 4: Graphic EQ
As we get things underway, Vince pulls up Logic’s stock Graphic EQ plugin to demonstrate its functions and applications.
Chapter 5: Semi-Parametric EQ
Next, Vince opens Logic’s Vintage Console EQ to break down the basics of semi-parametric EQ and its applications in the studio.
Chapter 6: Shelving EQ
Diving back into Logic’s Channel EQ, Vince takes you through shelving EQ and explains its benefits and purpose in your mixes.
Chapter 7: Filter EQ
Vince sticks with the Channel EQ to break down Filter EQ, which is used to remove specific frequencies in their entirety.
Chapter 8: Dynamic EQ
Using oeksound’s Soothe2, Vince walks you through the basic principles and functionality of Dynamic EQ.
Chapter 9: Program EQ
Using Logic’s Vintage Tube EQ, an emulation of the legendary EQP-1 by Pultec, Vince explores the uses and functions of program EQ in music.
Chapter 10: Mid/Side EQ
Vince turns to the Channel EQ to explore Mid/Side EQ, which gives you more control of the middle and sides of your stereo mix.
Chapter 11: Match EQ
With Logic’s Match EQ, you can use another track as a tonal reference to inform the general direction of your current mix.
Chapter 12: Linear Phase EQ
Linear Phase EQ is designed to maintain phase coherence while the EQ is in use, which gives you a great deal of sonic control.

Part 2: EQ in practice

Chapter 13: EQ in Practice (Intro)
Now that we’ve covered all the different types of EQ, Vince is going to show you how each type is applied in a studio setting.
Chapter 14: Fix or Fit?
Before we launch into the project, Vince takes some time to introduce some concepts and questions for us to consider in our approach.
Chapter 15: Approaching the Project
As we get started, Vince explains how he traditionally approaches EQ and mixing in his usual studio process.
Chapter 16: EQ in Practice – Kicks
Using a Channel EQ, Vince taps into a preset and shows you how he analyzes and processes his kick drums.
FREE CHAPTERFREE CHAPTER
Chapter 17: EQ in Practice – Off-Hat
Vince tackles the hi-hat that he pulled out in the previous chapter, cleaning up its low-end without compromising its character.
Chapter 18: EQ in Practice – Clap
Vince looks to clean up the clap while retaining some punch using a filter EQ with a sharp roll-off and a small boost.
Chapter 19: EQ in Practice – Second Kick & More Hats
After tightening the second kick in his kick group with another filter EQ, Vince demonstrates two ways of processing your hi-hats.
Chapter 20: EQ in Practice – Percussion
Vince cleans up the track’s signature percussion loop with some low-end cuts and a little extra air in the higher frequencies.
Chapter 21: EQ in Practice – Shaker & Ride
Vince explains why shakers are one of his favorite things to process and mix, then uses the Vintage Tube EQ to add some color to his ride.
Chapter 22: EQ in Practice – The Crash
Vince quickly shows you how to tidy up your crash, effectively wrapping up the EQ process for the project’s main groove.
Chapter 23: EQ in Practice – More Percussion
Moving ahead, Vince takes a moment to tackle the stack of three unique percussion sounds we will be treating next.
Chapter 24: EQ in Practice – Bass & Lead Synth
Vince shapes the sound and color of the bass with Logic’s stock AutoFilter and Xfer’s LFOTool, then takes a quick look at the lead synth.
Chapter 25: EQ in Practice – FX
In this chapter, you’ll learn how to process white noise and risers as well as what to do when you can’t remove an unwanted frequency.
Chapter 26: EQ in Practice – Vocals
Vince takes a quick look at the track’s vocal elements before explaining the ways in which the EQ process becomes second nature.
Chapter 27: EQ in Practice – Mixing Groups
In this chapter, you’ll learn all about tonal balance and how to achieve a balanced final mix that’s ready for mastering.
Chapter 28: Outro
As we say goodbye, Vince takes a couple of minutes to offer some insight into next steps following your mixing session.