13.2 EQ and frequency balance

Frequency ranges and EQ are crucial for shaping the sonic landscape of electronic music. Understanding how different frequencies interact allows producers to craft clear, balanced mixes. From sub-bass rumbles to shimmering highs, each range plays a vital role in the overall sound.

Mastering EQ techniques is essential for achieving track clarity and overall frequency balance. By carefully boosting or cutting specific ranges, producers can emphasize important elements, reduce muddiness, and create space for each instrument to shine in the mix.

Frequency Ranges and EQ

Frequency ranges in electronic music

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• Low frequencies (20 Hz - 200 Hz)
  • Sub-bass (20 Hz - 60 Hz) provides depth and weight to the mix (808 kick drums, deep basslines)
  • Bass (60 Hz - 200 Hz) serves as the fundamental frequency range for bass instruments (electric bass, synth bass)
• Mid frequencies (200 Hz - 5 kHz)
  • Low-mids (200 Hz - 500 Hz) crucial for the warmth and body of instruments (guitars, pianos, strings)
  • Mids (500 Hz - 2 kHz) essential for the clarity and presence of vocals and lead instruments (vocals, lead synths, brass)
  • Upper-mids (2 kHz - 5 kHz) responsible for the attack and definition of instruments (snare drums, percussion, acoustic guitars)
• High frequencies (5 kHz - 20 kHz)
  • Presence (5 kHz - 8 kHz) adds clarity and intelligibility to the mix (vocals, cymbals, hi-hats)
  • Brilliance (8 kHz - 20 kHz) provides air, sparkle, and shimmer to the overall mix (overtones, harmonics, reverb tails)

EQ for track clarity

• Identify the key frequency ranges for each instrument or sound
• Boost or cut specific frequencies to emphasize or de-emphasize certain characteristics
  • Boost the upper-mids (2 kHz - 5 kHz) of a lead synth to increase its presence and definition
  • Cut the low-mids (200 Hz - 500 Hz) of a guitar to reduce muddiness and improve clarity
• Use high-pass and low-pass filters to remove unnecessary low or high frequencies
  • Apply a high-pass filter to a hi-hat to remove low-end rumble and improve clarity (set cutoff around 500 Hz)
  • Use a low-pass filter on a pad sound to remove harsh high frequencies and create a softer texture (set cutoff around 10 kHz)

EQ Techniques and Frequency Balance

Subtractive EQ techniques

• Identify conflicting frequency ranges between instruments or sounds
• Use narrow Q (bandwidth) cuts to remove specific frequencies causing masking
  • Cut around 200 Hz - 300 Hz in a guitar track to prevent it from masking the bass
  • Notch out resonant frequencies in a vocal track to reduce harshness or sibilance (typically around 3 kHz - 5 kHz)
• Avoid excessive boosting, as it can lead to a cluttered and unbalanced mix
  • Subtractive EQ is often more effective than additive EQ for creating clarity and separation
  • Boosting should be done sparingly and with a wide Q to maintain a natural sound

Overall frequency spectrum balance

• Ensure a balanced representation of low, mid, and high frequencies
• Use a spectrum analyzer to visually assess the frequency balance of the mix (Voxengo SPAN, iZotope Insight)
• Make broad, gentle EQ adjustments to the master bus to fine-tune the overall balance
  • Apply a gentle low-end boost around 50 Hz - 80 Hz to add warmth and depth to the mix
  • Use a high-shelf boost around 10 kHz - 12 kHz to add air and brightness without harshness
• Avoid over-emphasizing any particular frequency range, as it can lead to listener fatigue
  • A well-balanced mix should sound full and engaging without being overly bright, muddy, or thin
• Regularly reference professional tracks in a similar genre to compare frequency balance and make adjustments accordingly
  • A/B your mix with reference tracks to ensure your EQ decisions are in line with industry standards