Use an AI Equalizer to Balance Your Mix

AI has steadily grown in audio processing as computer power and developer skills have progressed. AI has shown to be particularly useful in processes such as equalization. The following tutorial will show you how to use an AI equalizer to balance your mix.

As usual, we prepared a short sequence in our SoundBridge: DAW. It includes most of the elements of a full mix. Let's take a listen to it.

For the specific purpose of this tutorial, we have bounced similar instruments into a single track. You can also group all of the tracks above into a group track and use the technique described below.

In this case, we have chosen a plugin called smart: EQ 3 by Sonible. This is a solid EQ, but its AI-powered tonal balancing correction removes harsh resonances and masking issues with outstanding precision. Thanks to AI audio analysis, the plugin provides intelligent multi-band compression, which takes place in seconds. Rather than offering a couple of presets, it analyzes your songs to provide tailor-made settings.

First, let's load an instance on the Kick Drum & Bassline track and look at the interface.

Smart EQ 3's Interface

In the upper portion of the interface, we can notice a green record button and a drop-down menu of presets. Here, you can select the best preset for your incoming signal, be it a kick, a vocal, percussion, etc. We will press play in the sequencer and press the green record button in the smart: EQ 3, and after a few seconds, we will hear the difference and see a suggested EQ curve for the incoming signal. Let's compare the unprocessed & processed versions of the track.

This would act as a good starting point for further EQ processing. It's also possible to control the effect's intensity by dragging the green line up and down or make additional EQ adjustments by clicking on the curve to add as many other EQ bands as necessary.

We will add three more instances of smart EQ 3 to our Drums, Keys, and Vocal tracks and repeat the process. After completing this step and minor adjustments, we can compare the full mix before and after smart: EQ 3's processing.

Please remember that this process is not intended to make drastic changes to your mix, so we recommend using it as a final polishing tool.

If you liked this article on mixing, here are some more on the same subject:

• Using Left-Right EQ Technique for Problematic Recordings
• Fix the Stereo Image Using an Advanced Mixing Technique Called Mid-Side EQ
• Practical Use of Matching EQ
• Equalization Examined – Master Critical Frequency Ranges