Audio Production and Critical Listening, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2Tonal Balance and Equalization

Tonal balance describes the relative energy of frequencies present in an audio signal. Also known as spectral balance, it is largely responsible for the perceived timbre of an audio signal. From single instruments and voices, to stems and full mixes, tonal balance is paramount for audio engineers, whether they are recording engineers or loudspeaker designers. Overall tonal balance can make a mix sound full or thin, even or uneven, warm or harsh, dark or bright, clear or muddy. The tonal balance of individual instruments in a mix impacts the overall balance. In other words, tonal balance is key to great-sounding audio. Likewise, a flat frequency response from loudspeakers and headphones is an ideal that ...