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How to Use the Match EQ on Logic Pro 7

Logic Pro, Apple's professional audio recording software, uses multiple EQ (equalization) plug-ins for adjusting and balancing the audio frequencies of your recordings. The Match EQ in Logic 7, for instance, lets you master your music by creating, or analyzing, a frequency range for one piece of your recording and applying it to a different piece, or to a different recording entirely. For example, if you want to master an entire album, you can use the Match EQ to set the frequency range for your bass guitar track on the first song, and then apply it to the bass guitar track of every subsequent song.

Instructions

    • 1

      Open your Logic mixer window ("COMMAND" and "2" on your keyboard) and select a track to which you want to apply match EQ by clicking the track title along the top of the channel strip. Tracks are indicated by names like "INST 1" and "AUDIO 1." They contain your recordings in vertical columns on the mixer.

    • 2

      Click an empty box beneath the word "Inserts," hover your mouse over "EQ" and select "Match EQ." Your match EQ will then appear on your screen.

    • 3

      Equalize your mix. You can set up the frequency range for your track just as you would on any other multi-band equalizer. Your low bass frequencies (20-200Hz) are represented on the left side of the horizontal line, and your high treble frequencies (2kHz to 20 kHz) are represented on the right side -- with mid tone frequencies in the center. The vertical line on the grid represents your decibels, or volume level. Drag your mouse to move the horizontal line up (increasing your selected frequencies) or down (decreasing your selected frequencies) to set your range.

    • 4

      Click the "Template" button to have Logic automatically scan for the most active frequencies. This is preferable if you have little understanding of EQ, or frequency manipulation, but still want to build consistent ranges between different tracks (recording layers).

    • 5

      Right-click (or hold "CTRL" and click) the appropriate "Learn" button at the bottom of your Match EQ window. If you set the EQ parameters manually, use the "Learn" button beneath the word "Current Material." If using the template suggestion, right-click the "Learn" button beneath the word "Template." On the pop-up list, select "Copy Spectrum."

    • 6

      Return to your mixer and select your second track from the channel strip. This would include any track to which you want to apply the same frequency range (for instance, if you have two bass tracks). You can also close out your project and open a second audio project containing tracks that you want to use.

    • 7

      Select the "Match EQ" option of your selected track, using the method described in step 2. Click the "Paste" button in the upper-right corner of your "Match EQ" window to set up the same frequency range that you copied in your previous track. Repeat this process for each additional track to which you want to apply the range.

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