Equalizer: 3-Band (Bass & Treble) Audio Filter

Applies a simple three-band equalizer designed for quick tonal adjustments.
Unlike multi-band equalizers, this filter focuses on broad frequency regions, making it suitable for fast, intuitive correction rather than detailed shaping.

This filter operates in the frequency domain. All three controls are keyframeable as a group, not individually.

Parameters

Low (Bass)

Controls low-frequency content.

  • Adds or removes bass weight
  • Too much boost can sound boomy or muddy
  • Cutting reduces rumble and low-end clutter

Examples: bass guitar, kick drum, low warmth in voices

Mid

Controls the midrange, where most speech and musical detail lives.

  • Boosting improves clarity and presence
  • Excessive boost can sound nasal or harsh
  • Cutting can make audio sound distant or hollow

Examples: dialogue intelligibility, body of instruments

High (Treble)

Controls high-frequency content.

  • Boosting adds brightness and air
  • Too much boost causes hiss or sibilance
  • Cutting softens sharp or brittle sounds

Examples: consonants in speech, cymbals, high detail

Keyframes (grouped)

All three sliders are keyframed together.

  • Individual bands cannot be animated independently
  • Each keyframe stores the full three-band EQ state

This enables gradual tonal shifts over time, such as moving from muffled to clear audio.

Channel selection (toggle buttons)

Determines which audio channels the equalizer is applied to.
Buttons are toggle switches and are not keyframeable.

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Available buttons depend on the project’s audio channel configuration: Settings > Audio Channels

  • L — Front Left
  • R — Front Right
  • C — Center
  • LF — Low-Frequency Effects (LFE)
  • Ls — Surround Left
  • Rs — Surround Right

Important note:

Independent equalization per channel requires adding separate instances of the filter.

Auditory characteristics

  • Broad tonal changes rather than precise adjustments
  • Boosting Low and High together can create a “smile” curve
  • Excessive boosts may introduce resonance or listener fatigue
  • Cuts are often more natural than large boosts

Recommended use cases

  • Quick tonal correction
  • Improving dialogue clarity
  • Adding warmth or brightness
  • Matching tonal balance between clips
  • Simple adjustments in multi-channel projects

Usage notes and tips

  • Start with small changes (±2 - 3 dB).

  • For dialogue:

    • Slightly reduce Low to remove rumble
    • Gently boost Mid for clarity
  • For music:

    • Adjust Low for weight
    • Use High for brightness and air
  • If audio becomes harsh, reduce High before adjusting Mid.

Limitations

  • No precise frequency control
  • No Q (bandwidth) adjustment
  • Grouped keyframes only

Experimenting with the nuances on equalization.
The filter adjustments were made with a quick visual association in mind and not as an ideal combination of adjustments.

Here is the screenshot of the project with my solution to place three audio spectrum display filters, with 3 different colors and with opacity variation by keyframes (all applied to the V5 track) while the Bass & Treble filter I applied twice (with different settings) on that clip on V5 track

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