The matching EQ allows you to automatically equalize a mix based on the
spectrum or frequency response of another recording. The matching EQ is a
digital linear phase EQ, with the ability to use over 8,000 bands of
frequencies for very precise matching.
The following steps explain how to use the Matching EQ:
Capture your Source and Target spectrums
The Matching EQ works hand in hand with spectrum snapshots to "borrow" the spectrum of an audio clip and apply it to another. Therefore, the first step is to take snapshots of two spectrums - the mix you want to EQ (we call that the "Source") and the recording that has the spectrum you want to match (we call that the "Target").
1) Load the Target file - that is, the mix that you want to use for your EQ curve - in your host audio application.
2) Right-click (under OS X you can also ctrl-click) on the main window of the EQ module to bring up the spectrum options. Set the averaging time to Infinite, as shown below.
What this does is puts the spectrum in an infinite averaging mode. Instead of displaying the real-time spectrum, it will calculate and display an overall average spectrum for your mix. While this isn't technically necessary for using the Matching EQ, you most likely want to match the overall spectrum of a mix, as opposed to an instantaneous spectrum.
3) Click OK to close the Spectrum Options.
4) Open the Snapshot window by clicking on the Snapshot button as shown below.
5) Start playing your file. You'll see the spectrum "dance around" to begin with, but since it's in infinite averaging mode it will most likely stabilize to some average value after a few seconds.
6) Click the A button in the Snapshot window and the spectrum will be captured as Snapshot A. Select "Target" for Snapshot A.
7) Load your Source file in your audio app, play it, and click the B button in the Snapshot window to save it as Snapshot B. Select "Source" for Snapshot B.
8) Set the Matching Amount and Smoothing sliders to 0. Your screen should look like the one below (although your actual spectrum will of course be different)
Matching the Source to the Target
You're now ready to match the EQ.
1) Set the EQ mode to Matching, as shown below.
2) Open the Snapshots windows again. Play your Source file, increase the Matching amount slider, and your Source file will be EQ'd to match the Target.
As you increase the Matching amount, you'll notice a red EQ curve appearing. Most likely, the more you increase the Matching amount the more "jagged" this Matching EQ curve will become, with increasing peaks and valleys.
A Matching amount of 100% and a Smoothing amount of 0 might be technically the closest match to your Target, but in reality it's probably not the most effective combination of settings. Those settings will try to capture every peak, valley and level, which can result in extreme (unnatural) EQs.
Instead, we suggest working with the Matching amount around 50%. If your Matching EQ curve has narrow peaks and valleys, increase the Smoothing parameter to smooth them out. Your goal is to capture the overall tonal shape of the Source - an overall tone as opposed to an exact match.
3) Adjust manually as necessary. Close the Snapshots window, and you'll notice that you can still use the manual EQ nodes to further adjust the equalization. It may not be necessary, but feel free to further "season to taste" manually.
Note: This help file is a quick reference for basic Ozone functions and controls. We have a separate "how to" guide that provides tips and techniques for mastering with Ozone. You can download this guide from http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/ozone/guides.html