While every DAW now comes equipped with at least one native EQ plugin, there are thousands of external EQ plugins on the market. While some studios still implement analog EQ, most utilize digital equalizers, which replicate the same process. Before Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), EQing was done on analog mixing units, where audio was fed back to itself at certain frequencies in order to boost or cut said frequencies. By boosting or cutting specific frequencies from each track (or the mix as a whole), you’ll get the most out of each part of your mix, and ensure that everything that’s meant to be heard is heard. Without proper equalization, instruments may bleed into one another, overpower each other, and ultimately coalesce into a muddy mix. Mixing with EQ is necessary for giving each mix element room to breathe and properly blend.
