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 instrument have it's own space in the mix

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, 80h,z 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
250-500hz = Boost for "Depth", cut if "Muddy"
650-400hz = "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", : 2.k-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
4-9khz= "Brightness", definition, high frequency distortion
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