Using EQ is arguably the most important tool for shaping sound within GarageBand, but how does it work?
EQ, or equalisation, is all about manipulating the constituent parts of an audio signal. It involves boosting or reducing the volume of frequency ranges or ‘bands’ to achieve a certain response. In practical terms, we might want to add brighter highs to bring out the treble. Conversely, perhaps our sound needs more bass, so boosting the low-end frequencies can help. GarageBand’s Channel EQ plugin enables us to do this, and it’s often the most powerful effect you can learn. It has some great presets to explore, and it can be used in multiples to layer EQ effects for combined impact.
Step-by-step Using the Channel EQ plugin
1Channel EQ is typically added to new project tracks by default. You can find it or add extra units in the ‘Plug-ins’ stack within the Smart Controls (B) inspector.
2 Show the plugin window and cycle (C) the project’s playback. Toggle on the ‘Analyzer’ to see a live visualisation of the input signal’s frequency curve as a guide.
3 Eight EQ filters are toggled on/off using the buttons above. Each is colour-coded and has a puck-like control point that drags out a Gain curve along the Hz spectrum.
4 The first filter (red) is used to suppress low-end,
