Set each slider dial to the center position. An equalizer has a series of slider dials. Each one controls the signal level, or "gain," of a particular frequency. By setting them all to the center, you give yourself a neutral starting point.
Boost the frequencies to the right of center. The sliders are laid out with the lowest frequencies at the left and the highest at the right. Boosting the very highest frequencies will create an unpleasant tinny sound that will cause feedback. Start on the high side of the center and work your way down. While the singer performs, adjust the slider dials up to increase the gain of that particular frequency and down to reduce it. Try to enhance the natural timbre and tone of the voice and compensate for what the voice lacks. For instance, if working with a female singer, boost some of the lower-middle frequencies to give the voice some punch. If working with a baritone male, boost some of the higher-middle frequencies to add brightness.
Fade the far-left fader down. Once you've optimized the central faders, move on to the extremely low ones. The human voice sits between 200Hz and 8KHz, so the very low frequencies won't influence the vocal mix too much. By removing this frequency band from the lead vocal microphone channel, you reduce the chances of booming from vibrations on the microphone stand.
Press the "Bypass" button to hear the lead vocal with and without the equalization to compare your adjustments.
Adjust the "Master Gain" dial to set the amount of boost that the equalizer adds, if any. The "Master Gain" determines the volume of the lead vocal with the equalizer on, in comparison to the volume with it off. Make both volumes equal by setting the "Master Gain" fader to the center.
Set each slider dial to the center.
Solo the lead vocal track. If using a software production program, click the "S" icon on the left of the lead vocal channel strip. If using a hardware mixer, push the "Solo" button in. This mutes all other audio.
Hit "Play" so you can hear the lead vocal track. Increase the 3KHz frequency band to improve clarity. Increase the band between 200Hz and 400Hz to add body to the lead vocal. Reduce the 1KHz frequency band to remove the nasal quality from the lead vocal.
Adjust the remaining dials to your preference. Make large adjustments to hear the scope of the frequency, then correct the adjustment to temper the effect.