Eq Guide

These are not definite, just suggestions. Each range interacts with each other.
Always consider upper and lower harmonics. Notch more often than boosting. Let each
tart tuning your ears for later use
instrument have it's own space in the mix. S
Information used and re-edited from various sources including field sources
FredV, https://www.cheatography.com/fredv/cheat-sheets/eq-tips/
IRN, http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm
Stearns, Loudan; Berklee online course through Coursera.com
Sleepless Sound Studio, Philadelphia
Headroom Studio
Audio Gods

Sub Bass: 60hz & Below

<30hz = undetectable by ear "Rumble". safe to cut
40-60hz = felt frequencies
50-60hz = AC/Ground

Low End: 60hz-200hz

80hz = notch most instruments here, ie. guitar
80-200hz = boost/cut for warmth for bass instruments
120hz (mud), 200hz (fullness)
120-125hz = Top range for subs. Low end for most instruments, ie. kick, bass.
Bottom end for acoustic, piano.

Kick: cut at 30hz, boost 80hz for presence

Toms: cut at 30hz, 60-200hz = boom
Bass: cut at 30hz, 60-200hz = boom/punch (cut to decrease if needed), 80-250hz for
presence
Guitar: roll off at 80hz (fullness), 100-240hz = warmth/muddiness
Vox: cut at 90hz, 100-200hz = warmth/muddiness
Piano: cut at 30hz, 80hz for fullness, 120-130hz for warmth
Horns: 80-200hz = fullness

Low Mids: 125hz-500hz

Too much = "Muddy" , Too little = lacking power/ "Brittle"
125-250hz = "Warmth" for most instruments
oost for "Depth", cut if "Muddy"
B
250-500hz =
400-650hz = "Cardboard" sound of drums
440hz = A4

Kick: 240hz = Notch filter can help with thump, 400hz = Hollowness/cardboard
Toms: 120-240hz = fullness
Snare: 240hz = FATNESS
 Cymbals: 200hz = gong
Bass: 350-400hz = notch to reduce presence
Guitar: 100-200hz = sound hole on acoustic resonates here, 240-500hz = fullness
Vox: 240hz = boominess, 120-600hz = presence, resonance, fatiguing,

Mid Range: 500hz-4khz

Most instruments
1khz, 2khz, 4.5khz = most ears are very sensitive to these frequencies and can get fatigued from
them fairly quick. Notching here wouldn't be a bad idea

Kick: 2-4khz=smack of the beater

Snare: 1-2khz = " Tinny", 2k-5khz= attack, crispness, "crack"
Cymbals: 3khz= presence
Bass: 800hz= punch, 2.5-4khz = pluck/pop/slap
Guitar: 800hz= can sound cheap, 2.5-5khz = bite/sizzle/harshness/ for dirty guitar,
clarity
Vox/Horns: 500hz-1khz = " Honking" 800hz 4-5khz for presence
Piano: 2.5-5hz for clarity

High Mids: 4-8khz

3-7khz= boost slightly for sense of volume and/clarity if needed
if attenuated, can add warmth without loss of clarity
rightness", definition, high frequency distortion
4-9khz= "B
5khz= cut background parts to help them sink into the mix

Kick: 5khz= attack

Toms: 5-7khz= attack
Cymbals: >7k= "brightness" can be added for sense of quality, cut if too bright
Guitar: 8khz= "air"
Vox: 3-7khz= " Sibiliance", 4kz for added presence

High End: 8khz & Above

9-15khz= Boost for shimmer, sparkle, extra detail, "brittle". Cutting can smooth out
harshness and darken mix
Cymbals: 8-12khz= brightness/shimmer
Acoustic inst: 10khz= "air"/clarity, 8-12khz= brightness
Violin/Viola: 7-10khz= scratchiness
Vox: 10-16khz= "air"/clarity
Horns: 10-12khz= air/over blow