Do you always have to EQ vocals?
An EQ is used on vocals in most professional studio recordings. That being said, the less EQ you actually need, the better. It's always best to focus on getting the best recording possible rather than banking on the post-production process.
You should not EQ every track in your mix automatically. Each track should be listened to on its own merits, and if it requires some EQ to sit in the mix well, then apply some to that track. If a track sits well in the mix without any EQ, then do not apply any.
The mics often have a dramatically different response at 90°, 180° etc, depending on their type, polar pattern, construction etc... An EQ can only affect the total sound of the mics output, and you cannot affect the off-axis response, polar pattern separately.
Because muddy vocals are a frequency problem, it makes sense to reach for an EQ early in the process. The easiest way to use an EQ to fix muddy vocals is to use a low-cut filter and high-pass everything below a certain frequency, typically around 90-100Hz.
Should you normalize audio? Normalizing audio is effective for creating consistent levels between samples, vocal takes, and other audio files before/during mixing and even for mastering to bring a group of final music, podcast, or television mixes up to a consistent level.
EQ is only half the battle
Remember that EQ is massively important during mastering, and these tiny little adjustments can not only help with making a track sound more polished, but also aid the perceived loudness.
Many tools are available to us when mixing a track, but one of the most important is EQ. EQ can be used in all kinds of subtle (and not so subtle) ways, but at its most basic, it offers a highly effective way of cleaning up mix elements to help them sit together better.
A graphic equalizer (graphic EQ) is a high-fidelity audio control that enables the user to improve sound quality. Sound quality captured by sources, such as microphones and instrument pickups, is adjusted by changing the individual frequency bands of the audio.
Re: is possible to make a good mixing without use EQ? It is generally better to subtract EQ than add because many EQ's just don't sound good with high boosts and add harsh or artificial sounding artifacts. Of course this is a generalisation.... the best thing to do is use your ears.
Each position, EQ pre (before) or EQ post (after) compression produces a distinctly different sound, a different tonal quality, and coloration. As a rule, using EQ in front of your compressor produces a warmer, rounder tone, while using EQ after your compressor produces a cleaner, clearer sound.
Why do you EQ vocals?
Vocal EQ work is performed to enhance the vocals so they sound best in our environment as well as within the band and within the song. And this is where most of your work is focused. Let me put it this way...not every singer has a golden voice. Adding to that, you have to modify the vocal to fit with the song.
EQ is used in mixing to help reduce the effect of masking so that each instrument can be heard clearly. Remember: EQing doesn't create new frequencies. Think of EQing as sculpting… You're working with raw material—the existing frequencies of your sound.
