EQing for Audiobooks: Balancing Voice and Clarity

EQ (short for equalization) is like the seasoning of audio production. It lets you boost or cut specific frequencies to shape how your voice sounds.

Done right, EQ can make your audiobook feel professional and polished.

Done wrong? Well, let’s just say your listeners won’t stick around long.

Here’s how to nail it.

1. Boost warmth in the lower mids

The lower midrange (150–300 Hz) is where the “body” of your voice lives. It’s what gives your voice that warm, full sound. If this range is too weak, your voice might feel thin and cold, kinda like you're talking through a drive-thru speaker.

To fix it, add a small boost in this range to make your voice sound fuller and more engaging.

Pro Tip: Be careful not to overdo it. Too much can make your voice sound muddy, like it’s trapped under a blanket.

2. Tame sibilance in the high frequencies

Sibilance is the sharp, hissy sound you hear on “s” and “sh” words. It can live around 5-8 kHz and tends to pop out in recordings, making your narration uncomfortable to listen to.

To control it, use a de-esser (a tool designed to reduce sibilance) or gently lower those frequencies with your EQ. Your narration will still sound crisp, but without the ear-piercing “ssss.”

3. Cut out unwanted room noise

Room tone is the background noise your microphone picks up in your recording space... Like air conditioning hums, distant traffic, or faint echoes. These sounds live mostly in the low and midrange frequencies, and they can make your audiobook sound unprofessional if you don't do anything about them

Fix it with a high-pass filter, which removes everything below a certain frequency. Try starting at 80 Hz to get rid of low-end rumbles. For echoes, find the specific frequencies causing the issue and reduce them slightly.

EQ doesn’t have to be intimidating. Start by identifying problem areas in your recordings, then apply small, intentional adjustments. With a little practice, you’ll transform your audiobook into something your audience will love.

Now, go make your narration sound like it was recorded in a million-dollar studio (even if it was just in your closet).