Correct broad tonal balance with shelving filters before reaching for peaking filters

A shelving filter changes the level of one whole end of the spectrum and is the best filter to start balancing with: use a shelf for broad tonal correction (dull recording -> high-shelf boost; boomy -> low-shelf cut). Peaking (bell) filters, which cause more destructive phase shift, are best reserved for specific resonances after broad shelving corrections. Seek an EQ with freely variable corner frequency rather than fixed shelves.

Examples

A boxy, dull acoustic guitar: low-shelf cut around 200 Hz and high-shelf boost around 10 kHz first, then a narrow peaking cut to remove a lingering 400 Hz resonance.

Assessment

Give the correct filter-type sequence for a dull, boxy recording and explain why shelves precede peaking filters.