DJ EQ comes in two models: full kill (silences the band completely) and shaping (attenuates but never silences)

DJ mixer EQ designs fall into two categories that profoundly affect mixing technique. A ‘full kill’ EQ can attenuate its band to complete silence, allowing a DJ to swap entire frequency regions (e.g. cut all bass from one track). A ‘shaping’ EQ attenuates frequencies but always leaves some residual signal — sufficient for tone adjustments but not for dramatic swaps. Full kill is now becoming the norm; some top-flight mixers (Pioneer, Allen & Heath) let you choose the EQ model for a personal sound. Knowing which model your mixer uses changes how you approach bassline swaps: a shaping EQ requires more careful volume balancing to compensate for the remaining signal.

Examples

On a full-kill mixer: cutting the bass band to zero on deck A while bringing deck B in creates a clean bass swap. On a shaping EQ mixer: even at maximum cut, deck A’s bass still bleeds through, causing muddiness unless volume is also pulled down.

Assessment

A friend complains that their bassline swaps sound muddy even with the bass EQ fully cut. What EQ model is their mixer probably using, and how should they adjust their technique?