Bridging The Gap
Here are some general guidelines to consider when you are trying to find your space.
General Frequency Tips
20 Hz to 80 Hz: This is your sense of power in an instrument or mix. It’s the stuff you feel more then hear. The kick drum and bass guitar are down here in this range.
80 Hz to 250 Hz: The area where everything comes together. This is where a lot of things can go wrong and too much in here will make a mix sound sloppy.
250 Hz to 2 kHz: Most of your fundamental harmonics are in this range. These are some of the most critical frequencies to building a solid mix. Learn what instruments are most dominant in these frequencies and clean up around them.
2 kHz to 5 kHz: Here you will find the clarity to almost everything. But be careful, too much of a good thing can start to sound harsh. This is an area where subtly is the key.
5 kHz to 8 kHz: Mostly sibilance and “s” sounds. Much of the vocal consonants are defined in this range.
8 kHz to 20 kHz: Brilliance is the word here, the top end of cymbals.
Instrument Frequency Tips
Kick Drum and Toms: Cut 500 Hz to get rid of the cardboard box sound. Add 5 kHz to make them cut thru the mix. Add a little 60 Hz to 80 Hz to make them really thump.
Hi Hat: I generally cut all the lows and a good chunk of low mids. There isn’t anything down there anyway.
Snare: Generally I take out a little around 600 Hz and add a little around 4 kHz, and maybe even boost some 200 Hz to make it move a little air, but that really depends on the drum and how it is tuned.
Bass Guitar: So many players and basses are so very different. Usually if it’s muddy I cut 160-200 Hz and possibly add a little 700 Hz to 1 kHz if I can’t really hear their notes, but be careful because there are a lot of other instruments fighting for that space.
Piano: This is a beast we could probably use a whole article to discuss. It depends mostly on how it’s miked. If it’s boomy then cut 200 Hz to 315 Hz. If it’s kind of barking then cut more up near 400 Hz to 500 Hz. Judiciously add a little 2 kHz to 4 kHz to make it cut a little more.
Voice: Boomy? High pass at 150 Hz. Is it too thick? Try cutting 240 Hz. Need them to poke out a little more? Add a little 2.5 kHz. Having trouble hearing their syllables? Try adding a little between 4 kHz and 10 kHz.