EQ mixing techniques – Inside The Recording Studio

Corrective EQ vs Sweetening EQ

Every mix engineer knows EQ is essential, but not all EQ moves are created equal. Sometimes you’re cutting out problem frequencies, other times you’re adding shimmer, air, and character. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody divide and conquer the worlds of corrective EQ vs sweetening EQ — breaking down definitions, approaches, and how each style shapes the sound of your mix.

So what’s the difference? Corrective EQ is all about fixing issues. It’s the audio equivalent of cleaning up clutter in a room—removing mud, harshness, or resonances that distract from the performance. Think rolling off rumble on a vocal track, taming boxy guitar mids, or cleaning cymbal hash. Corrective EQ is practical, problem-solving, and sometimes downright necessary.

Sweetening EQ, on the other hand, is about enhancing and flattering the sound. It’s where you add warmth, sparkle, or that extra something that takes a track from good to inspiring. Boosting low end on a bass guitar for weight, adding air to vocals for clarity, or giving acoustic guitars sheen are all examples of sweetening moves. Sweetening EQ is where you shift from “fixing” to “finessing.”

Chris and Jody walk you through:

The definitions of corrective vs. sweetening EQ.
When to reach for each approach in your mix.
How context—genre, arrangement, even the artist—guides your decisions.
The process value of each style, and why knowing the difference keeps your workflow efficient.
Practical recording setup tips that can reduce the need for corrective EQ later.
Common pitfalls—like over-EQ’ing and chasing perfection instead of serving the song.

And of course, because this is Inside the Recording Studio, the conversation isn’t just clinical. Expect humor, tangents, and a touch of nonsense to keep you entertained while you learn. Plus, don’t miss this week’s Friday Finds, where Chris and Jody share more tools, plugins, and creative sparks that can freshen up your studio routine.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of when to put on your “fix-it” hat and when to grab your “flavor” hat. Whether you’re wrangling mud in a home setup or sweetening tracks in a pro mix room, you’ll walk away with a sharper EQ strategy—and mixes that sound better for it.

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Gear we used:
Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain: Telefunken C12 – Groove Tubes Vipre – Apollo – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA Studer A800
Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – Apollo – UA – Slate VMR (FG12, FG73, API Eq, SSL 4kE) – iZotope RX Voice – DeNoise
Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Master: Oek Sound Soothe 2 – iZotope Ozone Imager – iZotope Ozone Maximize.

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If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com

EQ is old. Boring. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, right? Well… maybe not. Eventide just dropped SplitEQ, and Chris & Jody are here to ask the big questions: is this the EQ plugin we’ve all been waiting for, or is it just flexing in front of the mirror?

This isn’t your dad’s parametric EQ with a shiny new GUI. SplitEQ goes deeper—literally splitting transients from tonal content so you can fix what’s poking out without mangling what’s sitting underneath. That means more punch, more control, and fewer headaches when you’re trying to wrangle messy tracks. Or, as Chris & Jody put it, “surgery without the scar tissue.”

But here’s the thing—does anyone actually need it? Or are we just chasing hidden features in studio gear that promise more than they deliver? The guys share their recording setup tips, laugh at some of the hype, and give honest takes on whether this EQ could help with modern challenges like Atmos mixing and cluttered pop productions.

Naturally, there’s nonsense. Of course there’s nonsense. And then there are Friday Finds—because no episode is complete without pointing you toward new toys (or freebies) to feed your gear habit.

If you’ve ever wondered whether EQ could still surprise you, this episode will either convince you—or convince you that Chris & Jody should never be left alone with new plugins.

Michael Brauer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS7f_Jsln04

Corrective EQ vs Sweetening EQ – The Difference You Need To Know

Eventide Split EQ: Is It Truly Possible To Create A Uniquely New Path In The EQ World?