EQ Training - Find Frequency Peaks in a Music Mix

Switch to : Notches (EQ cut)

Purpose

Our Discriminative Frequency Training Test used band-filtered noise to ensure a training independent from any musical content. The following test puts those frequencies back in their context, and uses a short music track instead of noise.

This custom track starts with an ultra-low frequency rumble layered with crystal clear chimes, followed by a conventional mix made from various "classic" pop instruments such as an electric bass, drums and other percussion instruments, electric piano, electric guitar and synthesizer strings, along with a male voiceover and female vocal line. The track covers the full audible spectrum and will be altered to emphasize a particular frequency band.

Training Files

The aim of this test is to familiarize the listener with the sound of the different frequency bands, not subtle frequency abnormalilties. To serve this purpose, the original recording has been abusively EQ'd using a massive 24 dB (!) peaking filter, centered around the target frequencies, spaced one octave apart.

Those who mastered our Discriminative Frequency Training Test will go straight to the blind test section. Others will listen to each octave and learn to associate it with its respective center frequency.

Here are a few hints of what the different frequencies sound like:

• 30 Hz: our audition's lowest limit (sub-woofer required); a rumble felt in your chest.
• 61 Hz: where the bottom of the bass lies.
• 125 Hz: bass warmth; fundamental frequency of male voices.
• 250 Hz: muddiness; fundamental frequency of female voices.
• 500 Hz: low midrange; think telephone, bottom.
• 1 kHz: midrange; think telephone, middle.
• 2 kHz: high midrange; think telephone, top.
• 4 kHz: harmonics mainly, hash, tiring; where human ears are most sensitive.
• 8 kHz: brightness, air.
• 16 kHz: sparkle, shimmer.

↓	↓	↓	↓	↓
31 Hz	63 Hz	125 Hz	250 Hz	500 Hz
↓	↓	↓	↓	↓
1 kHz	2 kHz	4 kHz	8 kHz	16 kHz
↓
Original

Test Files

For each column, tick the appropriate radio button. When you have labeled all 10 files, click the "Submit" button to obtain your score. Reload the page as often as you want to perform new tests.

31 Hz
63 Hz
125 Hz
250 Hz
500 Hz
1 kHz
2 kHz
4 kHz
8 kHz
16 kHz
Original

Once you have succeeded in getting 9 or higher without listening to the individual labeled files during the test, your training will have been successfully completed.

Related pages

Other EQ Training Tests

• Find Frequency Notches in a Music Mix

External Links

• Equalization by the Octave
• Equalization @ Wikipedia
• 6 Different Frequencies and How to Spot Them