Use a software EQ plug-in to remove dissonant or harsh frequencies from an audio recording or synthesized sound. Open your digital audio workstation and drop an EQ plug-in onto the track you want to equalize. Click and drag one of the equalization points to the top of the EQ frequency display; click and drag the Q control, which often looks like a knob, to about 90. The Q control determines the width of the frequency range that the equalization point affects. Start playing the sound, then slowly move the equalization point up and down the frequency spectrum. When a harsh frequency jumps out, stop moving the equalization point. Reduce the gain of the equalization point to a negative level, then expand the Q as necessary. Set up another high-gain, low-Q equalization point, then repeat the process as needed.
When two sounds play simultaneously in a song, producers often use an EQ to resolve sonic conflicts by removing overlapping parts of the frequency spectrum from the two sounds. If the sounds overlap occasionally but not constantly, equalization can reduce the impact of the sounds when they're not overlapping. If you're using a software EQ in a digital audio workstation, you can set it to automatically disengage when not needed. Open the automation lane in your workstation and select the EQ's "On/Off" control. Activate the workstation's pencil tool. Click and drag the tool on the automation lane so the line that appears is at the top of the lane when the two sounds overlap and at the bottom when they don't. This line, or envelope, now automatically switches the EQ off and on as specified. For more subtle equalization, you can automate equalization points, rather than the "On/Off" switch.
If your software EQ plug-in has "A" and "B" buttons, use this control to quickly compare different equalization settings. Configure the equalization points with a set of parameters, then click the "B" button. Set up these equalization points with a different set of parameters. Start playing the audio, then click the "A" and "B" buttons to toggle back and forth between the two sets of parameters. This allows you to compare equalization settings without actually moving the EQ points. For example, you could set "A" to boost high frequencies and "B" to reduce them, then switch back and forth to determine which sounds best.
In addition to using EQs when mixing audio tracks together, you can use them on the master channel to affect the overall sound of the music production. If there's too much bass rumble, use the EQ to sharply reduce frequencies below 30 Hertz. Try boosting mid-range frequencies to emphasize melodic elements, or add a gradual, relatively flat increase to high frequencies to raise the track's "air," or high-frequency presence. More air can help the vocals stand out in the mix, for example. If you produce dance music, the kick drum can prove a crucial element; try boosting the frequencies around 60 Hertz to emphasize it.