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Written by Alan Spicer
- YouTube Certified Expert (Audience Growth, Channel Management, Content Strategy)
- YouTube & Digital Media Consultant (including work with Coin Bureau brands)
- Built repeatable growth systems across multiple channels (including 0→20k in 2 months and 15k→100k in 8 months)
- Recipient of 6× YouTube Silver Play Buttons
My bias: EQ should be small, targeted moves. Most creators over-EQ, then wonder why their voice sounds harsh, thin, or “fake”. Fix mic placement and levels first. EQ second.
EQ Settings for YouTube Voice (UK): Make Your Mic Sound Clear Without Harshness
If your audio is already clean (no clipping) but your voice still sounds:
- muddy or “boomy”
- boxy like you’re in a cupboard
- dull with no clarity
- harsh when you try to “add crispness”
That’s an EQ problem (or a placement/room problem pretending to be an EQ problem).
This guide gives you an easy EQ workflow for YouTube voice, plus real-world frequency ranges you can apply in OBS or in your editor without turning your mic into a brittle mess.
Jump to:
Quick answer / TL;DR ·
Watch the quick demo ·
Related searches ·
60-second decision tree ·
What EQ actually does ·
Do this before EQ (it matters) ·
Starter EQ (safe for most voices) ·
Cheat sheet: what to cut/boost (Hz guide) ·
OBS order: EQ vs compressor vs gate ·
Fixes for common “voice problems” ·
Comparison table ·
What not to do ·
Who this is not for ·
Gear links ·
Related reading ·
FAQs
Quick answer / TL;DR
To EQ YouTube voice safely: use a gentle high-pass (low cut) to remove rumble, cut a little “mud” if your voice sounds boomy, and add a small presence boost only if you need clarity. Avoid big boosts — boosting high frequencies often creates harshness and makes sibilance worse. If your audio sounds boxy or echoey, fix mic placement/room first because EQ can’t remove reverb properly.
Watch the quick demo (from my channel)
Video pick: these support the core idea of this post: EQ works best when the capture is right. Fixing the source saves you from aggressive EQ later.
The 60-second decision tree
- Voice sounds boomy/muddy → small cut in the low-mids + check mic distance.
- Voice sounds boxy → small cut in the “box” range + reduce room reflections.
- Voice sounds dull → tiny presence lift (don’t go wild) + check mic angle.
- Voice sounds harsh/sizzly → undo big high boosts; go more off-axis; address sibilance.
- Voice sounds echoey → fix room/placement; EQ can’t remove reverb cleanly.
What EQ actually does (plain English)
EQ is simply turning certain frequency areas up or down. It’s not magic. It can’t remove echo. It can’t turn a cheap mic into a broadcast studio.
But it can do three very useful things for YouTube voice:
- remove rumble and low-end junk you don’t need
- reduce “mud” so your words feel clearer
- add a touch of presence so speech cuts through phone speakers
Do this before EQ (it matters)
EQ works best after you’ve nailed the basics:
- Distance: closer mic = more voice, less room
- Angle: slightly off-axis reduces harsh airflow and sibilance
- Levels: don’t clip and don’t record super low
Starter EQ (safe for most YouTube voices)
This is a gentle, creator-friendly starting point that avoids the “harsh and thin” trap:
- High-pass (low cut): remove low rumble you don’t need
- Small mud cut: if your voice feels boomy
- Tiny presence lift: only if you need clarity
Rule: cuts are usually safer than boosts. If you boost, keep it small.
Cheat sheet: what to cut/boost (Hz guide)
Different voices and mics behave differently, so think of these as ranges to explore — not a one-size-fits-all preset.
| Problem | What it sounds like | Where to look (approx.) | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rumble | Low thuds, desk bumps, traffic rumble | Very low end | High-pass / low cut |
| Mud / boom | Thick, unclear, “blanket over the mic” | Low-mids | Small cut, don’t overdo it |
| Boxy | “Cupboard”, “bathroom”, hollow | Mids | Small cut + fix reflections |
| Dull | Not enough definition | Upper mids / presence | Tiny lift (if needed) |
| Harsh | Fatiguing, sharp, brittle | Highs / sizzle | Undo big boosts, consider de-essing |
If you’re battling harsh “S” sounds, EQ alone often makes it worse. This guide is the right companion:
OBS order: EQ vs compressor vs gate
There isn’t one “perfect” order, but here’s a creator-safe approach that behaves predictably:
- Light noise suppression (only if needed)
- Noise gate (only if needed between sentences)
- EQ (small clean-up and clarity)
- Compressor (gentle consistency)
- Limiter (peak safety)
Link the chain posts here for a clean internal cluster:
- Noise gate (between sentences) (UK)
- Compressor settings (UK)
- Limiter settings (UK)
- Normalise audio for YouTube (UK)
Fixes for common “voice problems” (fast wins)
Muddy voice (words don’t cut through)
- Move the mic closer (often the real fix)
- Use a gentle low cut to remove rumble
- Try a small cut in the low-mids (tiny moves)
Boxy / hollow voice
- Reduce reflections (soft furnishings, closer mic, avoid bare walls)
- Try a small cut in the “boxy” mid range
Room echo fix lives here:
Harsh / brittle voice after EQ
- Undo big high-frequency boosts
- Go slightly off-axis
- Address sibilance properly (don’t “boost clarity” into pain)
EQ made mouth clicks worse
- You probably boosted presence/highs too much
- Back off the boost and fix the source (hydration, placement, technique)
Mouth noise guide:
EQ vs de-esser vs “fix the room”
| Tool | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| EQ | Removing rumble/mud and adding gentle clarity | Big boosts create harshness fast |
| De-essing | Taming harsh “S” and “SH” sounds | Overdone de-essing makes speech dull |
| Room/placement fixes | Echo, boxiness, and “roomy” audio | Takes a bit of setup, but it’s the real win |
What not to do
- Don’t boost highs aggressively for “clarity”. That’s how you create harshness and sibilance.
- Don’t EQ to fix echo. Echo is time-based; EQ is frequency-based.
- Don’t EQ a bad recording and expect it to sound premium. Fix capture first.
- Don’t stack huge EQ + heavy compression. You’ll amplify every unpleasant detail.
Who this is not for
- Music mixing/mastering workflows (different goals)
- ASMR creators intentionally capturing detail and room tone
- Creators recording in loud environments expecting EQ to remove noise
Gear links (kept editorial, not salesy)
Audio pillar:
Supporting posts (internal only):
- Mic placement (UK)
- Recording levels (UK)
- Stop sibilance (UK)
- Stop mouth clicks (UK)
- Reduce echo (UK)
- Normalise audio (UK)
Creator Gear hub:
Amazon UK searches (tagged so the session is credited):
- Amazon UK: closed-back headphones (hear EQ changes accurately)
- Amazon UK: microphone boom arms (stable placement = easier EQ)
- Amazon UK: audio interfaces (clean gain reduces “mud” and hiss)
Related reading (internal only)
- Sound better on YouTube (UK)
- Recording levels (UK)
- Compressor settings (UK)
- Limiter settings (UK)
- Stop sibilance (UK)
- Stop mouth clicks (UK)
FAQs (People Also Ask style)
What are good EQ settings for YouTube voice?
Start with a gentle high-pass (low cut) to remove rumble, then make small cuts to reduce mud/boxiness. Only add a tiny presence boost if you need clarity. Big boosts usually create harshness.
What frequency should I cut to remove muddiness?
Mud typically lives in the low-mids. Use small cuts and confirm with your ears — the exact spot varies by mic, voice, and room.
What frequency should I boost for voice clarity?
Clarity often comes from upper mids/presence, but boosting too much can create harshness and exaggerate sibilance. Tiny boosts are usually enough.
Should I EQ before or after compression?
Often EQ before compression so the compressor reacts to a cleaner signal. If you EQ aggressively after compression you can make harshness and noise more obvious.
Can EQ remove echo?
Not properly. Echo/reverb is time-based, so EQ can only reduce some tones, not remove the reflections. Fix the room or mic distance first.
Why does EQ make my voice sound harsh?
Usually because of big high-frequency boosts. Back off the boost, go slightly off-axis, and tackle sibilance properly if needed.
Why does EQ make mouth clicks worse?
Boosting presence/highs can lift tiny mouth sounds. Reduce the boost and address the source (technique, hydration, placement).
Do dynamic mics need different EQ than condenser mics?
Often yes, but not because of a “rule” — they capture detail differently. Use the same workflow: low cut, reduce mud/box, then tiny presence if needed.
What’s the easiest EQ for OBS microphone?
Use a low cut, then one small corrective cut if needed. Keep it simple. If you need lots of EQ, fix placement and room first.
Is EQ or a de-esser better for harsh S sounds?
A de-esser is usually the right tool for sibilance. EQ can help a bit, but boosting “clarity” often makes S sounds worse.
