Equalizing is a fundamental processing application in music mastering, where the engineer may adjust the overall frequency balance of the material and make surgical adjustments to narrow regions. There is some previous research made on acclaimed engineers’ usage of equalizers in mastering, however little information is presented on why certain choices are made and how the EQ specifically is incorporated into the workflow. In this qualitative study, six mastering engineers were interviewed to discover the reasoning behind their choices of EQs in music mastering. Also investigated are the opinions and preferences for sonic characteristics of different types of EQs, as well as what important qualities are in EQs for mastering in general. In order to understand some statements made by the mastering engineers regarding the sonic characteristics of analog devices, a literature review in combination with an additional interview with a service technician was made. The literature review aimed to provide some insight on what electronic components and aspects of the general design affects the sonic signature of analog devices the most. The thematic analysis showed that there are some agreement amongst the engineers considering the implementation of EQ with regards to genre and certain tasks. The respondents agreed that tube devices are not to be used for every instance since these are highly coloring devices. Transistor EQs on the other hand are perceived as fairly transparent in comparison, yet still imparting the sonic characteristics of an analog device. For those using a hybrid setup, digital plugins are generally used for surgical application and also, in some cases, for preservation of quality. Although setups may vary between every engineer, this study verifies that the most important factor in the choice of tool is knowing how the devices work.

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