What the EQ knobs do
Each channel on a DJ mixer or controller usually has three EQ knobs. Each one controls a different part of the sound:
| Knob | What it controls | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Low (bass) | The deep end | Kick drum and bassline |
| Mid | The middle | Vocals, synths, keys and most melodies |
| High (treble) | The top end | Hi-hats, cymbals and sparkle |
Turning a knob to the left cuts that part of the sound. Leaving it in the middle keeps the track as it was made.
The golden rule: don't stack two basslines
When two kicks and two basslines play at full volume together, the sound gets muddy and boomy. On a big sound system it can even overload the speakers. That's why most DJs only ever have one track's bass fully up at a time.
How to do a bass swap
The bass swap is the most useful EQ technique for beginners:
- Beatmatch the new track in your headphones.
- Turn its low knob fully down before you bring the volume up.
- Bring the channel fader up at the start of a phrase. The crowd now hears the new track's hi-hats and mids, but not its bass.
- Swap the bass. At the start of the next phrase, turn the old track's low down and the new track's low up at the same moment.
- Fade out the old track using its fader, or by cutting its mids and highs too.
Done on a phrase change, a bass swap sounds clean and confident.
Using the mids and highs
- Mids: if two vocals or melodies clash, cut the mids on one track so only one is clearly heard.
- Highs: turning the highs down on the incoming track can make it creep in more gently. Bringing them up gradually adds energy.
- Small moves: you don't always need a full cut. A small turn can be enough to make room.
Practise one band at a time
A good exercise is to play one track and slowly turn each knob down and back up. You'll quickly learn what each band sounds like on its own.
Common mistakes
- Boosting instead of cutting. Turning knobs past the middle adds volume and can distort. Cutting is usually safer.
- Forgetting to reset. After a mix, return the new track's EQ to the middle so it sounds as it should.
- Swapping bass at a random moment. Do it at the start of a phrase so it feels deliberate.
- Mixing with your eyes. Listen to the result. If it sounds busy, something needs cutting.
Practise it with a mentor
EQ is easier to learn when someone can point out exactly when a mix starts to sound muddy. Our Starter course covers the bass swap step by step, and the Selector course builds on it with longer, more creative blends.