Characteristics

Effects of Equalization – 1/3 octave center frequencies

Sub Sonic (31 to 63 Hz)

• These very low bass frequencies are felt, rather than heard, as with freeway rumbling or an earthquake.
• These frequencies give your mix a sense of power, even when they only occur occasionally.
• However, overemphasizing frequencies in this range will result in a muddy mix.
• The 50 or 60 Hz band reject of AC hum.
• Increase 50 Hz for clarity.
• Decrease – 50 Hz to reduce boom.
• Reduce rumble with High Pass filter at 30 Hz

Bass (60 Hz to 250 Hz) 

• Because this range contains the fundamental notes of the rhythm section
• Changes will affect the balance of your mix, making it fat or thin.
• Too much emphasis will make for a boomy mix.
• Increase 100 Hz for hardness.
• Decrease 100 or 125 Hz for hum rejection.
• Increase for 3rd harmonic mains
• Decrease for hum rejection and to reduce boom effect

Low Mids (250 Hz to 2 kHz)

• To emphasize the lower portion of this range and de-emphasize the upper portion.
• Boosting the range from 250 Hz to 500 Hz will accent ambience in the studio
• Increase to add clarity to bass and lower frequency instruments.
• The range between 500 Hz and 2 kHz can make midrange instruments (guitar, snare, saxophone, etc.) “honky,”
• Too much boost between 1 kHz and 2 kHz can make your mix sound thin or “tinny.”
• Within the range of 315 to 500, increase 400 Hz for clarity.
• For 630 to 1k, increase 800 Hz for clarity and punch.
• Also within 1k to 2k decrease 600 to 2 kHz to reduce horn effect.

High Mids (2 kHz to 4 kHz). 

• The attack portion of percussive and rhythm instruments occurs in this range.
• High mids are also responsible for the projection of midrange instruments.
• Increaase 3000Hz for bass punch.
• Decrease the 2 to 4 kHz range to reduce “listening fatigue”.

Presence (4 kHz to 6 kHz). 

• This frequency range is partly responsible for the clarity of a mix and provides a measure of control over the perception of distance.
• If you boost this frequency range, the mix will be perceived as closer to the listener.
• Attenuating around 5 kHz will make the mix sound further away but also more transparent.
• Increase 1.25 to 6 kHz governs clarity and definition. and 5k to 6k for more finger sound on bass.
• Decease 5 kHz to makes more distant and transparent and Reduction of tape hiss and system noise.

Brilliance (6 kHz to 16 kHz). 

• While this range controls the brilliance and clarity of your mix.
• Boosting it too much can cause some clipping, keeping an eye on main meter.
• An increase can cause sibilance and clarity, plunk, harmonics and punch.
• Decrease for the reduction of tape hiss and system noise.

Summary of adjustments that will affect different sound characteristics:

Instrument	What to Cut	Why to Cut	What to Boost	Why to Boost
Human Voice	7 kHz	Sibilance	8 kHz	Big sound
	2 kHz	Shrill	3 kHz and above	Clarity
	1 kHz	Nasal	200-400 Hz	Body
	90 Hz and below	Popping P’s	—	—
Piano	1-2 kHz	Tinny	5 kHz	More presence
	300 Hz	Boomy	100 Hz	Bottom end
Electric Guitar	1-2 kHz	Shrill	3 kHz	Clarity
	90 Hz and below	Muddy	125 Hz	Bottom end
Acoustic Guitar	2-3 kHz	Tinny	5 kHz and above	Sparkle
	200 Hz	Boomy	125 kHz	Full
Electric Bass	1 kHz	Thin	600 Hz	Growl
	125 Hz	Boomy	90 Hz and below	Bottom end
String Bass	600 Hz	Hollow	2-5 kHz	Sharp attack
	200 Hz	Boomy	125 Hz and below	Bottom end
Snare Drum	1 kHz	Annoying	2 kHz	Crisp
			150-200 Hz	Full
			90 Hz	Deep
Kick Drum	400 Hz	Muddy	2-5 kHz	Sharp attack
	90 Hz and below	Boomy	60-125 Hz	Bottom end
Toms	300 Hz	Boomy	2-5 kHz	Sharp attack
			90-200 Hz	Bottom end
Cymbals	1 kHz	Annoying	7-8 kHz	Sizzle
			8-12 kHz	Brilliance
			15 kHz	Air
Horns	1 kHz	Honky	8-12 kHz	Big sound
	120 Hz and below	Muddy	2 kHz	Clarity
String section	3 kHz	Shrill	2 kHz	Clarity
	120 Hz and below	Muddy	400-600 Hz	Lush and full

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