Equalize audio online with a graphic equalizer

To equalize a recording, open it, choose Effects ▸ Filters ▸ Graphic Equalizer…, raise or lower the ten frequency bands and preview the result before you apply it. Auditius does it in your browser for free, and your audio is never uploaded.

The Graphic Equalizer window in Auditius over a song’s waveform
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How to equalize audio, step by step

The Graphic Equalizer window opens as soon as your file has loaded.

  1. Click Open a file to equalize, or use File ▸ Open… (Ctrl+O), and choose your audio file.
  2. To change only part of the file, select it first. With nothing selected, the equalizer applies to the whole file.
  3. Open Effects ▸ Filters ▸ Graphic Equalizer… from the menu bar.
  4. Pick a preset as a starting point, such as Vocal Presence or Loudness, or start from Flat.
  5. Move the band sliders. Each one goes from -18 to +18 dB, from 31 Hz on the left to 16 kHz on the right.
  6. Press Preview and listen with Loop ticked while you adjust, then click OK.
  7. Save the result with File ▸ Save As… as WAV, FLAC, MP3 or Ogg Vorbis.

What each part of the spectrum does

These ranges are a rough guide to where common problems live.

  • 31 and 62 Hz: sub-bass and rumble. Cut them on voices; boost them gently for a fuller kick and bass.
  • 125 and 250 Hz: body and warmth. Too much sounds boomy.
  • 500 Hz and 1 kHz: boxy and nasal tones. A small cut often clears up a muddy mix.
  • 2 and 4 kHz: presence and intelligibility. A boost brings a voice forward; too much sounds harsh.
  • 8 and 16 kHz: sibilance, cymbals and air. Cut for hiss and sharp esses, boost for brightness.
  • The 31 Hz and 16 kHz sliders work as shelves: they move everything below or above them, not just one band.
  • Not sure where the problem is? Analyze ▸ Frequency Analysis… (Alt+Z) shows which frequencies are strongest, and View ▸ Spectral shows them over time.

Other equalizers and filters in Auditius

The Effects ▸ Filters menu has three more tools for when ten fixed bands are not enough.

  • Parametric EQ (3-Band)…: low and high shelves plus a mid band whose frequency and width (Mid Q) you choose, up to ±24 dB. Presets include Bass Boost, Telephone and Air.
  • Filter (Butterworth / Biquad)…: one precise filter, such as Low Pass, High Pass, Notch or Peaking, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with a slope of 12, 24 or 48 dB/oct. Rumble Cut removes low rumble and Hum Notch 50Hz targets mains hum.
  • FFT Filter…: draw the frequency response as a curve. Useful for steep cuts and unusual shapes, with presets such as High Pass 300 Hz and Notch 1 kHz.
  • In the Multitrack view, each track’s effects rack offers 3-Band EQ and Filter in real time; open it with the fx button on the track header. The Graphic Equalizer and FFT Filter work in the edit view only.

Tips for a clean EQ

With equalizers, less is usually more.

  • Cut before you boost. Lowering the band that bothers you usually sounds more natural than raising everything around it.
  • Make small moves. A few dB is often enough; large boosts change the character of the sound and add level.
  • Watch the level. Boosts can push peaks above 0 dB. Lower Range Gain to compensate, or run Effects ▸ Amplitude ▸ Normalize… afterwards.
  • Remove noise first. Boosting the highs raises hiss as well, so clean the recording before you brighten it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I boost the bass of a song with the equalizer?

Raise the 62 and 125 Hz sliders a few dB in the Graphic Equalizer, or use the Bass Boost preset of Effects ▸ Filters ▸ Parametric EQ (3-Band)…, which lifts the lows by 8 dB. If peaks get too loud, normalize afterwards.

How do I make a voice clearer with EQ?

Start with the Vocal Presence preset, which lowers the bass and lifts 2 to 4 kHz. To remove only low rumble, use the Rumble Cut preset of Effects ▸ Filters ▸ Filter (Butterworth / Biquad)…, a high pass at 80 Hz.

Can I equalize just one track of a multitrack mix?

Yes. Add 3-Band EQ or Filter to that track’s effects rack. It plays in real time and does not change the source file, and Edit ▸ Master Effects… does the same for the whole mix.

Why does my audio distort after an EQ boost?

Boosting adds level, and peaks above 0 dB can clip when you play or export them. Lower Range Gain by about the amount you boosted, or apply Effects ▸ Amplitude ▸ Normalize… before saving.

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