The Complete Guide To Graphic Equalization/EQ

Graphic EQ is one of the common equalization types in audio technology and deserves a full article dedicated to its explanation.

What is graphic audio equalization? Graphic equalization is a style of EQ where predetermined bands centred around set frequencies with set Q factors that can be either boosted (amplified) or cut (attenuated). The name comes from the fact that the EQ settings of a graphic EQ unit typically look very obvious and “graphic”.

In this article, we'll discuss graphic EQ in great detail, focusing on how it works to apply equalization and the situations/applications it is best suited to serve.

Related My New Microphone articles:
• Top 8 Best Graphic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best EQ/Equalization Tips For Mixing (Overall)

A Primer On EQ

Before we get to dynamic EQ in more detail (skip ahead by clicking here), let’s quickly go over the definition of EQ.

As an audio process, equalization alters the relative balance/amplitude between frequencies in an audio signal. EQ uses filters to either increase or decrease the amplitude of some frequency bands compared to other frequency bands. It is used extensively in mixing, tone shaping, crossovers, feedback control and more.

Boosting and cutting refer to the increasing and decreasing of the relative amplitude of defined frequency bands, respectively.

Electronic filters are often described as processes that eliminate frequency content below, above or between two set frequency points. In the context of EQ, a filter (such as a “bell” or “peak” filter) can also be used to produce the previously mentioned boosting/cutting without affecting all frequencies beyond a certain point.

The range in which an EQ filter will act up is typically referred to as a band. Graphic EQs, as we'll find out, have fixed bands (and often plenty of them)!

Whether graphic or otherwise, EQ is one of the most important tools for working with audio.

For more information on EQ in general, check out my article The Complete Guide To Audio Equalization & EQ Hardware/Software.

What Is Graphic Equalization?

Now that we know what EQ is, let's talk more specifically about graphic EQ.

As the name would suggest, graphic EQ gives users a pretty descriptive visual representation of how it affects the audio.

Graphic EQ does so with a set number of fixed frequency bands across the audible frequency spectrum. The number of bands, of course, depends on the EQ in question.

Each band has a defined centre frequency and Q value with controllable gain via a fader. The graphic EQ, as a whole, is made up of a bank of faders.

These bell/peak-type filters can be boosted or cut. Generally speaking, the bandwidth of each band is set so that there is minimal interference and phase complications with adjacent bands, though there will always be some amount of interaction.

Increasing the number of bands in a graphic EQ will mean narrowing each band's bandwidth and offering greater control and resolution over the equalization of the signal.

Typically the 0 dB gain spot will be midway between the fader's maximum and minimum positions. Pushing the fader upward will increase the band's gain (relative amplitude), while pushing the fader downward will decrease the gain (relative amplitude) of the band.

This is a lot easier to describe visually, so let's have a look at a screenshot of the Waves GEQ Graphic Equalizer (link to check it out at Waves): a graphic EQ plugin.

The following image shows a single channel of graphic EQ with 30 bands and gain variation between ±6 dB:

The way this graphic EQ is laid out has 3 bands per octave. An octave is defined as a doubling in frequency (since frequency values are logarithmic).

The centre frequencies of the Waves GEQ are as follows:

25 Hz
31 Hz
40 Hz
50 Hz
63 Hz
80 Hz
100 Hz
125 Hz
160 Hz
200 Hz
250 Hz
315 Hz
400 Hz
500 Hz
630 Hz
800 Hz
1,000 Hz
1,250 Hz
1,600 Hz
2,000 Hz
2,500 Hz
3,150 Hz
4,000 Hz
5,000 Hz
6,300 Hz
8,000 Hz
10,000 Hz
12,500 Hz
16,000 Hz
20,000 Hz

Each band's gain control fader has 0 dB (no gain) as the midway point of the fader. By adjusting the faders and affecting the relative gain, we can easily see how the graphic EQ is affecting the signal's equalization across the bank of faders. Hence the name “graphic EQ”.

As an example, let's consider the Waves GEQ once again. As we can see, graphically, in the picture below, I've left most frequency bands alone but set up a fairly abrupt 6 dB low shelf cut below 50 Hz and a more gentle 3 dB high shelf boost above 4 kHz:

How Are Graphic Equalizers Used?

In audio mixing, graphic EQs are often passed over for the most flexible parametric varieties. However, that's not to say that graphic EQs are necessarily inferior. They can be used to achieve very similar results.

Related article: The Complete Guide To Parametric Equalization/EQ

That being said, there are some instances where graphic EQs are commonplace:

Eliminating problem frequencies: noise, resonances and other nasty frequencies can be found and removed by first boosting bands to find the problem frequency and subsequently cutting those bands.
Feedback elimination: similar to problem frequencies. Can be used effectively in live sound situations to “tune the room”.
Tone shaping: shaping the tone/character of an audio signal/track by EQing it in a specific way.
Tuning monitors/speakers: monitors and speakers are imperfect electro-acoustic transducers that may benefit from a graphic EQ. Some stereo system amps/receivers have built-in graphic EQ (though shelving EQ is more popular in these devices)

Examples Of Graphic Equalizers

Before we wrap things up, it’s always a great idea to consider some examples. Let’s look at 5 different graphic equalizers to help solidify our understanding of this EQ type.

In this section, we’ll discuss:

500 series graphic EQ unit: BAE G10 (link to check the price at Sweetwater)
19″ rack mount graphic EQ unit: dbx 231s (link to check the price on Amazon)
Graphic EQ effect pedal: MXR M108S Ten Band EQ (link to check the price on Amazon)
Graphic EQ Eurorack module: Music Thing Modular Graphic EQ (link to check the price at Reverb)
Graphic EQ plugin: Waves GEQ (link to check it out at Waves)

BAE Audio G10

The BAE G10 (link to check the price at Sweetwater) is a 10-band graphic EQ designed in the 500 series form factor.

This simple graphic EQ has centre frequencies at 31, 62, 125, 250, 500, 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k and 16k Hertz that can each be a boost or cut of ±12 dB. In addition to the 10 bands described, the G10 also has selectable high-pass and low-pass filters, tuned at 80 Hz (10 dB/octave) and 12 kHz (6 dB/octave), respectively.

BAE is one of My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Audio Brands For 500 Series Modules/Equipment.

For more information on 500 Series modules, check out my article What Is 500 Series Audio Equipment & Is It Worth It?

dbx 231S

The dbx 231s (link to check the price on Amazon) is a rack-mounted stereo graphic equalizer with 31 bands (3 per octave) per channel.

Both stereo channels include an input gain control with ±12 dB of gain along with a selectable low-cut (high-pass) filter at 50 Hz 12 dB/octave and a switch to increase the boost/cut range between ±6 and ±12 dB.

dbx is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 13 Best Microphone Preamplifier Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Audio Compressor Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Audio Equalizer Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Audio Brands For 500 Series Modules/Equipment

MXR M108S

The MXR M108S Ten Band EQ (link to check the price on Amazon) is an excellent 10-band graphic EQ effect pedal.

In addition to the 10 bands (each with its own ±12 dB cut/boost fader), the M108S EQ pedal has a volume control (±12 dB) and a boost/gain (±12 dB).

MXR is featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Guitar/Bass Effects Pedal Brands To Know & Use.

Music Thing Modular Graphic EQ

The Music Thing Modular Graphic EQ (link to check the price at Reverb) is a Eurorack graphic EQ with 7 bands.

This simple graphic EQ unit is based on the revered Boss GE-7 pedal (link to check the price on Amazon) and has centre frequencies at 63, 160, 410, 1k, 2.5k, 7.7k and 16k Hertz. Each band is adjustable by ±15 dB.

The Boss GE-7 is one of My New Microphone's Top 12 Best EQ Pedals For Guitar & Bass.

Waves GEQ

The Waves GEQ Graphic Equalizer (link to check it out at Waves) is a stereo 30-band graphic EQ plugin.

This EQ plugin offers three graphic bands per octave for a total of 30 bands per channel. Each band can be boost/cut by up to ±18 dB (with ±6, ±12 and ±18 settings).

The left and right channels each have an independent high-pass and low-pass filter along with a single parametric bell-curve filter and gain control.

Waves Audio is featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Audio Plugin (VST/AU/AAX) Brands In The World.

What are the different types of EQ? When it comes to audio equalization, there are several types of EQ to be aware of. They are as follows:

Should every track be EQed in an audio mix? As a general rule, equalization should be used with intent and, therefore, only be used on every track in the case that every track would require it. More often than not, there will be certain tracks in a mix that sound perfectly fine without EQ.

Though not always necessary, EQ can be used to achieve the following (and more):

Correct The Response Of A Microphone
Adjust Perceived Depth
Cut Problem Frequencies
Filter Out Low-End Rumble
Accentuate Characteristic Frequencies
De-Essing (Dynamic EQ)

Determining the best equalizer for your audio needs takes time, knowledge and effort. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Equalizer Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next EQ purchases.

Choosing the right effects pedals for your applications and budget can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Effects Pedal Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next pedal/stompbox purchase.

Choosing the best audio plugins for your DAW can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Audio Plugins Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next audio plugin purchases.

Building out your 500 Series system can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive 500 Series Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next 500 Series purchases.

Building your Eurorack system can be overwhelming. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Eurorack Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next Eurorack purchases.

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