Sound Ministry Series Part 5 - The Mid Frequency EQ Knob

Next on the channel we have either one, two or four knobs that control the midrange. When we talk about midrange, we mean the frequencies between the highs and lows. Most of the sound is actually concentrated in these frequencies, so your mid range control is pretty powerful!

If you have 1 knob called "MID", it works the same way as your high and low controls, boosting or cutting a very large range of frequencies.

On better mixers, you will have a MID control and a FREQ control. The MID control does the cut and boost thing, but the FREQ control allows you to decide on which frequency the cut or boost centres on. Imagine a bell-curve (up for boost, down for cut) where you are able to move the apex left and right across different frequencies to get a visual image of this in action.

If you have the luxury of four knobs, you have a LOW MID with a FREQ control (around 800Hz) and a HIGH MID with a FREQ control (around 3kHz). This allows you the best management of your midrange.

To get to know how these controls behave, it is important that you grab a mic, cut the MID knob all the way, and then turn the FREQ knob backwards and forwards while speaking into the mic. Do the same with with the MID knob boosted all the way, and you'll quickly hear what's going on.

The best way to use these controls is to listen out for offending frequencies in instruments or voices, then cut your midrange by 1/4 and 'sweep' your FREQ control until you find the point on the dial where the problem lessens. Remember to look at what frequency you have stopped on and try and remember what it sounds like - it will help you get there quicker next time.

The best thing to do with this control is to play with it and listen for the results. Try boosting a little on your singer's mic and then sweep until you find a pleasing result.

Next time: the Low EQ knob