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 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
- Boost around 80 Hz for fullness
- Boost around 3000 - 5000 Hz to increase attack
- Low cut: 60 Hz
Frequency Description
- 100 Hz: Bottom
- 100 - 250 Hz: Body
- 250 - 1000 Hz: Mud
- 1000 - 5000 Hz: Presence, honk
- 10,000 Hz: Brightness
Bass Guitar
- Roll-off around 300 Hz to increase clarity if muddy
- Boost around 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