Enhancement Frequencies

All instruments contain a range of various frequencies. Boosting or cutting these will produce a different sounding timbre for any instrument.

Outlined below are tips on equalizing common instrument types to get the best potential sound. Remember that these are only guidelines. Every instrument is unique and has different sound characteristics.

The low cut applies to the low frequencies which are relatively useless for the instrument sound and can be rolled away, if desired, to lighten the mix and free up mix room.

Recommendations

Kick Drum

Tips

Boost around 5000 Hz to increase attack
Low Cut: None

Frequency Description

50 - 80 Hz: Bottom, boom
100 - 200 Hz: Roundness
250 - 800 Hz: Mud, clarity
2500 - 5000 Hz: Attack

Snare

Tips

Cut around 60 - 120 Hz to thin the snare
Boost around 5-6000 Hz for a snappy sound
Low cut: 80 Hz

Frequency Description

100 - 300 Hz: Fat, full
900 Hz: Boing
5000 Hz: Snap
6000 - 9000 Hz: Presence

Hi-hats

Tips

Cut around 800 Hz if the cymbals sound clangy
Boost around 3000 Hz to add brightness
Low Cut: 200 Hz

Frequency Description

250 - 500 Hz: Clang, mud
1000 - 5000 Hz: Presence, attack
8000 Hz: Sparkle, Hardness
9000 Hz: Presence
15,000 Hz: Air

Toms

Tips

Cut around 100 Hz to eliminate a muddy sound
To increase attack, try a small boost around 6000 Hz
Low Cut: None

Frequency Description

200 - 400 Hz: Fullness
5000 - 7000 Hz: Attack

Vocal

Tips

Cut around 100 Hz to eliminate a muddy sound
Boost around to 6000 Hz to increase clarity
Low cut: 80 Hz

Frequency Description

150 Hz: Fullness
1000 - 5000 Hz: Presence
6000 Hz: Clarity, sibilance
10,000 Hz: Brightness/Air

Violin

Tips

Boost around 6000 Hz to add crunch sound
Low cut: 100 Hz

Frequency Description

250 - 500 Hz: Bottom, boom
800 - 1000 Hz: Roundness
5000 Hz: Clarity, sibilance
7000 - 10,000 Hz: Attack
12,000 Hz: Air

Piano

Tips

Cut around 80 Hz to eliminate excess boom
Boost around to 4000 Hz to increase the presence

Frequency Description

100 Hz: Bottom
100 - 250 Hz: Body
250 - 1000 Hz: Mud
1000 - 5000 Hz: Presence, honk
10,000 Hz: Brightness

Bass Guitar

Tips

Roll-off around 300 Hz to increase clarity if muddy
Boost around to 60 Hz to increase body
Low Cut: None

Frequency Description

50 - 80 Hz: Bottom, body
100 - 500 Hz: Fullness, mud
700 Hz: Attack
1000 - 6000 Hz: Presence, pluck

Electric Guitar

Tips

Cut around 100 Hz to increase mix clarity
Low Cut: 80 Hz

Frequency Description

150 Hz: Body
300 - 500 Hz: Fullness, mud
1500 - 3000 Hz: Presence
6000 Hz: Brightness

Acoustic Guitar

Tips

Boost around 5000 Hz for increased presence
Low Cut: 80 Hz

Frequency Description

80 Hz: Bottom
200 - 300 Hz: Body
2000 - 5000 Hz: Brightness

Instrument Frequency Output

Quick Mix Guide