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Audio, explained · 05 / 36

Advanced EQ

Choose where and how each of up to sixteen filters acts.

Visual walkthrough5 configuration controlsSynced audio walkthrough
See how it works ↓

The response curve represents the configured filters. The live spectrum represents sound entering the EQ; it is not the response curve. The plot displays ±12 dB, while precise gain controls allow ±24 dB.

01 / Understand

The idea, before the settings.

Advanced EQ holds up to sixteen independently enabled filters. Select a band, choose among eight shapes, then set its frequency and Q. Gain applies to peaking and shelves; All pass keeps magnitude flat and changes phase.

SourceAdvanced EQMeter → Output

Use it in AudioRouter

  1. Add a band and choose its job: Peaking for a local correction, a shelf for a broad region, or High/Low pass to remove a frequency extreme.
  2. Select that band's point or row. Set Frequency, then Q for width/resonance; use Gain only on Peaking and shelves.
  3. Toggle that band's Enabled control to compare its contribution before adding another.
  4. Inspect the combined curve and downstream headroom. Keep the fewest bands that solve the problem.

What success looks like

The selected band's shape, location and width are distinguishable from the summed response. A flat All pass magnitude can still change phase.

If it does not work

If Gain does nothing, check the filter type: pass, notch and All pass filters do not use that gain control.

Select the node to open Properties. Click its name to rename it. While playing, supported parameter-only edits save after a short pause. For structural edits, use Save when the canvas marks a change. Enabled and Bypass are distinct live controls; see the in-app help for their behavior.

02 / Explore

Make the behavior visible.

Edit any of four example bands, then switch listening between Input and Output. Browser biquads demonstrate the selected shapes; the curve is illustrative rather than an engine measurement.

The example repeats until you press Stop, and control changes are heard immediately. The picture shows the tool's shape rather than time; follow the timing in Follow the sound below. This is not a DSP measurement or control for your running AudioRouter session.

03 / Configure

Every control, with a reason.

Each band has these controls. Add up to 16 bands (displayed as 1–16), select a band, then adjust its shape, frequency, Q and gain where applicable.

01

Band enabled

band{index}Enabled

Whether this numbered filter contributes to the curve.

Range / choicesOn / offDefaultfalse

↓ Lower / alternativeOff removes its processing contribution.

↑ Higher / alternativeOn adds this filter to the combined response.

Try thisDisable one band to compare its exact contribution.

Keep in mind Turning off a band retains its other saved settings.

02

Filter type

band{index}Type

Shape of the selected filter.

Range / choicespeaking · lowShelf · highShelf · lowPass · highPass · bandPass · allPass · notchDefaultpeaking

↓ Lower / alternativeReturn to Peaking for a bell-shaped boost or cut.

↑ Higher / alternativeChoose a different type for a different job.

Try thisHigh pass removes low frequencies; Low pass removes high frequencies.

Keep in mind Gain applies only to Peaking and shelves; All pass changes phase at flat magnitude.

03

Frequency

band{index}FrequencyHz

Center, shelf transition or cutoff location depending on type.

Range / choices20 Hz → 20000 HzDefault1000 Hz

↓ Lower / alternativeMoves it toward lower-pitched content.

↑ Higher / alternativeMoves the filter toward higher-pitched content.

Try thisA peaking point at 300 Hz targets a low-mid region.

Keep in mind The effective valid upper boundary also depends on graph sample rate.

04

Q

band{index}Q

Selectivity or resonance of this filter.

Range / choices0.1 → 20Default1

↓ Lower / alternativeBroadens those selective filters.

↑ Higher / alternativeNarrows bell/notch/band-pass filters; may increase resonance in pass filters.

Try thisCompare Q 1 with Q 4 on a small peaking cut.

Keep in mind The meaning of Q depends on the selected filter shape; pass filters can become more resonant.

05

Gain

band{index}GainDb

Boost or cut for Peaking and shelf filters.

Range / choices-24 dB → 24 dBDefault0 dB

↓ Lower / alternativeCuts their affected region.

↑ Higher / alternativeBoosts their affected region.

Try thisTry −3 dB before attempting a deep cut.

Keep in mind The plot shows only ±12 dB; precise controls support ±24 dB.

Choose the right shape

Every filter has a different job.

peaking

Bell-shaped boost/cut around Frequency; Gain and Q apply.

lowShelf

Boost/cut below the transition; Gain applies.

highShelf

Boost/cut above the transition; Gain applies.

lowPass

Attenuate above the cutoff; no Gain.

highPass

Attenuate below the cutoff; no Gain.

bandPass

Pass a band with unity center magnitude; Q adjusts width; no Gain.

allPass

Preserve magnitude while changing phase; Frequency and Q apply; no Gain.

notch

Remove a narrow frequency region; no Gain.

04 / Put it to work

Start with a useful example.

Example 1

Cut a narrow resonance

  1. Add a peaking point at 300 Hz.
  2. Try −3 dB and Q 2.
  3. Move frequency slowly to the problem area, then use the smallest useful cut.
Example 2

Remove low rumble

  1. Add a high-pass band around 80 Hz.
  2. Listen to lower voice notes and move the cutoff lower if they lose body.
Example 3

Explore phase

  1. Select All pass at 1000 Hz, Q 1.
  2. Notice that the magnitude curve stays flat.
  3. Compare phase or an impulse demonstration; a flat magnitude plot does not mean no processing.

These are starting points. Compare at a comfortable monitoring level and adjust for your own source.

05 / Get unstuck

Small details that matter.

  • Gain does not apply to notch, pass, band-pass or all-pass types.
  • Higher Q is more selective for bell/notch/band-pass filters, but can also add resonance in pass filters.
  • Use the available filter type and Q controls to shape a pass filter; there is no separate slope control.