How to Set EQ When Using DJ Equipment

For DJs, sound quality is always important. To achieve the best sound for your music, you need to set the EQ on your mixer correctly. With practice, you can even manipulate the EQ to create unique sounds and effects. Also, being comfortable with setting the EQ is in important skill when mixing dance music and blending songs.

Instructions

1. Locate the treble, mid and bass knobs, and set each to the 12 o'clock position. With the EQ knobs in the middle, you achieve the default sound for the track you're playing. In other words, the levels coming out of your mixer are equivalent to what the artist intended when they mastered the track.

2. Trust your ears. If you think the track would sound clearer with the higher frequencies being louder, turn up the treble knob. If you think a heavier beat would get people dancing, crank up the bass a little bit.

3. Mix dance tracks using the EQ. Dance tracks often have a heavy bass beat with syncopated highs. Once you have the beats matched, you can take the bass out of one track, and introduce the second track.

4. Create effects using the EQ knobs. You can change the entire tone of a track by adjusting the EQ. Try turning the mid knob up while taking out the bass and the treble. You will achieve a washed-out sound. Bring the bass and treble back suddenly to create an energetic surge of music.

5. Isolate different frequencies much like you would create effects in Step 4. You can take out everything but hi-hats or vocals simply by turning the bass all the way down. You can isolate the bass beat by turning the mid and treble down.

6. Remember to bring the knobs back to your standard position, whatever you have decided achieves the best sound quality, after mixing in a new track or creating an effect.