---
title: 'Enhancement Frequencies'
url: 'https://www.teachmeaudio.com/mixing/techniques/enhancement-frequencies'
markdown: 'https://www.teachmeaudio.com/mixing/techniques/enhancement-frequencies.md'
date: '2026-10-22'
description: 'All instruments contain a range of various frequencies. Boosting or cutting these will produce a different sounding timbre for any instrument.'
---

# 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 sonic characteristics.

 The **low cut** applies to low frequencies which are relatively useless for a specific instrument's sound and can be rolled away 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 5000–6000 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.
- **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

#### Tips

- 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

Use these instrument frequency ranges as a starting point, but always trust your ears. Room acoustics and arrangement styles mean every mix requires unique EQ choices.

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---

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