Filtering assignment

Today we're going to start working a bit with frequency using a type of processor called an Equalizer (aka "EQ").

"What is an EQ?" you ask.

Well, an EQ lets you boost or cut a specific frequency ranges in your tracks.

"Why would you want to do that?" you ask.

Well, because generally you want certain things to stand out more in your mix, and other things to be more in the background. Cutting/boosting certain frequencies can help you do this. Also, you can make things sound cleaner and clearer. It's sort of like having a toolkit for working on the details of your tracks.

Today we're just going to work with a very basic form of EQ-ing, called filtering.

Filtering lets you completely cut out a certain frequency range and just leave the remaining part. I want for you to see what it sounds like when you filter your own voice. Basically, we're going to use filters to make our voices sound like they are coming through a telephone.

Please do this:

1. Open your Pro Tools session.
2. Pick a vocal track that you want to work with. Solo it by clicking the yellow S button.
   
3. Pick a specific region and loop it. Hit play.
   
4. Go to the Mix Window.
5. In the dark grey section at the top of the track, click on one of the sets of double arrows.
6. Click on Plugin>EQ>7-band EQ3
7. In the sections called HPF and LPF, click the IN buttons.
8. Now find the spots where it says 6dB/Octave. Turn up the knobs until it says 12dB/Octave.
9. In the HPF section, turn up the Frequency knob until your voice starts to sound kind of thin. Make a note of what frequency this happens at (about 1kHz).
   
10. Now in the LPF section, turn down the Frequency knob until the voice starts to muffle a little and sound more like it's coming through a phone. Note what frequency this happens at (about 2kHz). The frequency screen should look something like this:
11. Play around with all these knobs and other parts of the EQ and see how they affect the sound of your track.