Use the EQ effect

Use the EQ effect

GarageBand patches include an EQ (equalizer) effect that is very useful for optimizing the sound of your tracks and projects. The EQ effect includes the following features:

  • Eight independent EQ bands arranged from low (bass) to high (treble)

  • Presets optimized for different uses and for specific instruments

  • An Analyzer that lets you see the frequencies of the track as it plays, so that you can decide which frequencies to boost or cut

Show the EQ effect

  1. Click the Smart Controls button Smart Controls button in the control bar to open the Smart Controls pane.

  2. Click the EQ button in the Smart Controls menu bar.

    If the patch doesn’t already contain an EQ plug-in, one is added after the last plug-in in the patch.

    Figure. Smart Controls EQ

The EQ appears in the Smart Controls pane. In the center is the graphic EQ display. Across the top are symbols that identify each EQ band. On the bottom are the Analyzer button and the numeric displays of Frequency (Freq), Gain/Slope, and Q (resonance) for the selected EQ band.

Note: You can use more than one EQ effect in a patch, either by adding another EQ or by changing an existing effect plug-in to an EQ. When a patch has more than one EQ, only the first (highest) one appears in the Smart Controls EQ pane when you click the EQ button. You can open the other EQs in a separate plug-in window.

Adjust EQ settings

  • To adjust an EQ band graphically: Click an EQ band to activate it, then drag the control point for that band up or down to raise or lower the level for that band. Drag left or right to change the frequency for that band.

    The graphic display visually shows your changes.

  • To adjust an EQ band numerically: Click an EQ band to activate it, then drag the Freq, Gain/Slope, or Q number up or down. You can also double-click the number and enter a new value.

  • To adjust the overall gain: Drag the Gain slider on the right side of the EQ display.

  • To turn off the EQ effect: Click the Inspector button Inspector button, then click the Power button in the Smart Control inspector.

Use EQ presets

  • To choose a preset: Click the Inspector button Inspector button, then choose a preset from the Preset pop-up menu in the Smart Control inspector.

  • To save a custom preset: Click the Inspector button Inspector button, choose Save As from the Preset pop-up menu in the Smart Control inspector, type a name for the present, then click Save.

Use the Analyzer

  • To use the Analyzer: Click the Analyzer button, then play the project.

    While the project plays, the frequency curve for the track appears in the graphic display area of the EQ window, showing which frequencies are louder or softer. You can adjust the EQ bands in the graphic display while you watch the frequency curve.

    To turn off the Analyzer: Click the Analyzer button again.

Be sure to turn off the Analyzer when you’re not using it. When the EQ window is visible, the Analyzer uses additional processing power.

You can use the EQ effect on the master track to shape the sound of the overall project, and on individual tracks.