Ensure all elements respect each other's space
Problem: clashing or overlapping elements
Every element in the track should be placed with consideration for how it interacts with other elements. This is crucial for achieving a clean and balanced mix. When elements are allowed to occupy their own frequency and…
Use short snare samples at 300Hz for arky texture
Problem: lack of rhythmic punch in breakdowns
Using short snare samples around 300Hz adds an arky (aggressive, punchy) texture to the track. This frequency range is ideal for snare rolls as it sits well in the mid-range without clashing with other elements. The…
Use upper mid-range EQ boosts to convey emotions like anger or intensity
Problem: track lacks intensity or aggression
Boosting the upper mid-range frequencies (around 1-5kHz) can help convey emotions like anger, intensity, or aggression in a mix. This frequency range is often associated with clarity, presence, and forward energy, making…
Use high-frequency boosts (10kHz+) to differentiate between happiness and calmness
Problem: track lacks clarity or euphoric feel
Boosting high-frequency content (10kHz and above) can help differentiate between emotions like happiness and calmness, even when both are somewhat bright. This subtle boost adds air and clarity, making the mix feel more…
Ensure bass sits between 40 and 80 Hz for optimal impact
Problem: bass lacks presence or is too weak
The strongest frequencies of a bass sound should be centered between 40 and 80 Hz to ensure it has enough weight and presence in the mix. This range allows the bass to be felt physically and heard clearly without…
Saturation can open up frequency ranges and enhance depth
Problem: muddy or flat-sounding mixes
Saturation isn't just about grit—it can also enhance clarity by subtly boosting high-end harmonics and adding body to low-end frequencies. This creates a more 'sweetened' sound with greater perceived depth, especially…
Use multi-band compression to fix tonal inconsistencies
Problem: tonal inconsistencies in specific frequency ranges
Tonal inconsistencies in specific frequency ranges (e.g., scoops or octaves) can be addressed with multi-band compression. This allows targeted control over problematic areas without affecting the entire frequency…
Mistake: overcrowding 200-500Hz causes muddiness
Problem: muddy mid-range
The 200-500Hz range is a common problem area where multiple elements (vocals, guitars, synths) compete for space. This creates a 'muddy' sound because the frequencies overlap, reducing clarity. Producers often overlook…
Compare span of sound to track's span
Problem: frequency masking, muddiness
Ensure the synth chord's frequency range matches the overall track's frequency span. The speaker uses a spectrum analyzer to check this, adjusting the synth's filter to avoid overlapping too much with the bass or kick.…
Stem separation loses frequency info
Problem: loss of detail in stem processing
When using stem separation plugins, expect some loss of frequency detail compared to the original mix. The speaker demonstrates this by comparing a separated synth stem to the original. This is a critical consideration…
Use reference tracks every 30 minutes
Problem: ear fatigue and normalization
Professional engineers recommend comparing your mix to commercial tracks at regular intervals. This prevents your ears from becoming fatigued or normalized to your own mix. By checking how your kick, bass, and overall…
Customize frequency bands for targeted analysis
Problem: muddy or unclear frequency ranges
The plugin allows you to adjust frequency bands in the reference view, enabling you to focus on specific ranges (e.g., 80-250Hz for low-end clarity). This helps identify masking issues or frequency imbalances that aren't…
Apply Baxandall-style EQ topology for frequency shaping
The speaker references Baxandall's EQ approach, which emphasizes boosting high frequencies while cutting low frequencies to create a more open and dynamic sound. This concept is used to shape the overall frequency…
Hierarchical prioritization within layered instruments
Problem: over-processing layered sounds
Treat layered sounds (e.g., a synth with multiple oscillators) as a single instrument with internal frequency hierarchy. Identify which layer defines the instrument's character and prioritize its frequencies. This…
Select samples with usable mid-range energy
Problem: mid-range clashes, excessive EQ
Samples that are too mid-rangey can clash with other elements in the mix, requiring excessive EQ or filtering. This is especially problematic in genres like trance or house where mid-range clarity is crucial. Choosing…
Recognize three common mixing patterns: loud but small vocals, fighting kick/bass, and harshness at high volume
Problem: inconsistent mixing results
These patterns represent recurring issues that require specific solutions: 1) Vocals need tonal balance, not just volume; 2) Kick/bass conflict requires dynamic processing (not just EQ); 3) Harshness at high volume is…
Fix kick/bass conflict by defining spatial ownership, not just EQ
Problem: kick/bass frequency masking
When kick and bass fight, the solution isn't just EQ cuts. Instead, determine which element should occupy the space (e.g., kick's transient, bass's body) and use dynamic processing (sidechain, compression) to let one…
Adjust lead frequency for contrast during transitions
Problem: monotony in transitions
Lowering the lead's base frequency by 2-3 semitones during a transition creates a tonal shift that contrasts with the previous section. This technique works in Ableton's Operator synth by adjusting the oscillator's…
Frequency is a shared space — clashing elements lose clarity
Problem: muddy, flat mix due to frequency clashes
When two sounds occupy the same frequency range simultaneously, they compete for space, causing muddiness and a flat mix. This is a fundamental concept in mixing: frequency ranges must be managed to avoid masking. The…
Assign frequency ownership to prioritize focus in the mix
Problem: clashing elements in critical frequency ranges
Decide which element 'owns' a frequency range (e.g., kick owns punch, bass owns low mids). Use EQ to cut conflicting elements in the owned range. This ensures clarity and focus, avoiding the need to remove sounds…
Identify the O vowel sound at 600Hz
Problem: identifying problematic frequency ranges
The human voice's 'O' vowel (as in 'hello') peaks around 600Hz. Recognizing this helps identify problematic frequency ranges in vocals or other instruments. This is especially useful for EQ decisions in pop, R&B, and…
Use Sound Jam for frequency ear training
Problem: poor frequency recognition
Sound Jam is a free tool that helps producers train their ears to recognize specific frequency ranges. By repeatedly listening to tones and identifying them, producers develop better frequency discrimination. This is…
Identify muddiness sources by soloing 400-500Hz range
Problem: unclear low-mid frequency clashes
Muddiness in the 400-500Hz range often stems from overlapping frequencies between bass, kick, guitars, and vocals. Soloing this range helps pinpoint conflicting elements. This is a critical workflow step for isolating…
Choose percussive sounds that simplify mixing
Problem: clashing frequencies, difficult mixing
Selecting a 'nice house rim shot sound' reduces frequency clashes with other elements. The speaker emphasizes that proper sound design choices make mixing easier by avoiding unnecessary frequency competition. This…
Cut low frequencies to avoid muddiness in layered synths
Problem: muddy low end in layered synths
The EQ is explicitly mentioned to cut low frequencies, which prevents frequency clashes between layered synth sounds. This is critical in chill synth arrangements where multiple synths are used together. By removing…
Automate frequency response to increase energy in the club
Problem: static frequency balance, flat energy
By dynamically adjusting the frequency balance (e.g., boosting high-end during drops), you create a more engaging experience for dancers. This technique leverages the psychological impact of shifting sonic textures in…
Add a post-filter to brighten the bass without affecting low-end
Problem: dull or buried bass
A post-filter (high-pass or shelf) adds brightness to the upper frequencies of the bass, making it cut through the mix without compromising its low-end weight. This is crucial for ensuring the bass remains audible in…
Adjust EQ to match the target track's frequency spectrum
Problem: mismatched frequency response
Tailoring the bass's EQ to align with the reference track ensures cohesion and avoids frequency clashes. This involves identifying and emphasizing key frequencies that define the track's low-end character.
Use a riser that sweeps upward in frequency for energy
Problem: build-up lacks energy or movement
A riser that sweeps upward in frequency can add a sense of movement and energy to a build-up. This technique is commonly used in trance and progressive house to create a feeling of rising tension and anticipation. The…
Focus on low end first in mastering
Problem: Muddy or weak low end
The low end forms the foundation of a track. Addressing it first ensures the kick, bass, and sub-bass are balanced before moving to the top end. This prevents masking issues and allows the rest of the mix to sit…
Use octave shifts for melodic expansion
Problem: melodies lacking dynamic range or emotional impact
Shift melodies up an octave at key moments to create a sense of release. This technique is demonstrated in the 'Sense Storm' example, where the melody ascends to a higher register during the climax. The shift adds…
Save subtle top-end enhancements for mastering
Problem: over-processing in mix stage, lack of flexibility
The speaker avoids making major adjustments in the mixing stage for the top-end frequencies, reserving them for mastering. This is because mastering tools are often more precise and better suited for subtle enhancements.…
Select female vocals in 110-130Hz range for Afro House
Problem: muddy vocals, poor frequency placement
Choosing female vocals within this mid-range ensures they sit comfortably above the bass and percussion. The specific frequency range avoids excessive warping and maintains vocal clarity. This technique is standard in…
Use open voicing for chords/instruments
Problem: muddy, congested mix
Spreading chord notes across three octaves creates space in the mix. This prevents frequency masking and allows each note to breathe. The speaker demonstrates this by placing the root in the lower register, third in the…
Remove low-end from synth to match reference track
The speaker noticed the original synth had minimal low frequencies and used EQ to remove them. This is crucial for accurate sound recreation and avoiding frequency clashes in a mix. It demonstrates the importance of…
Frequency content determines high-pass impact
Problem: Unintended high-pass EQ damage
Cutting 100Hz on a hi-hat with a 96dB slope had no audible effect because the hi-hat has no energy below 200Hz. This shows that high-pass EQ's impact depends on the sound's frequency content — cutting frequencies outside…
Side chain all instruments to the kick for sub-frequency separation
Problem: Kick and bass competing in the sub-frequency range
In genres like house, kick and bass (both sub-frequency instruments) must be separated to avoid muddiness. Side chaining ensures the bass ducks away from the kick, giving the kick priority. This creates space in the low…
Use stereo width shaping for high-end elements
Problem: Poor stereo imaging translation
Electric dance music benefits from a triangular stereo width curve: mono at low end, gradually increasing stereo as frequency rises. This leverages human hearing sensitivity to stereo imaging in higher frequencies.…
Learn frequency ranges by experimenting with EQs
Problem: lack of understanding of frequency ranges
The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding how different frequency ranges affect the sound of a track. By spending time with EQs and experimenting with third-octave and quasi-parametric EQs, producers can…
Split bass into sub, mid, and high frequencies for 3D separation
Problem: muddy low end, frequency masking
Dividing the bass into three frequency ranges (sub, mid, high) allows precise control over each layer. The sub handles low-end weight, mid provides body, and high adds texture. This separation prevents frequency masking…
Use EQ 8 to scoop lows for clarity
Problem: muddy frequency range
Dragging EQ 8 onto a track and cutting low frequencies helps reduce muddiness, making the sound sit better in the frequency spectrum. This is particularly useful for non-bass elements that risk clashing with the low end.…
Use a dominant presence between 40-80Hz for bass clarity
Problem: muddy or weak bass presence
The 40-80Hz range is critical for bass 'presence' and punch. A single well-EQ'd bass sound in this range can be more effective than multiple layers. This avoids phase issues and allows the bass to cut through the mix…
Use a high-pass filter on non-sub-bass elements to avoid muddiness
Problem: muddy or unclear low end
Any bass sound that doesn't need sub-bass energy (like a synth bass) should have a high-pass filter at 30-40Hz to prevent muddying the low end. This keeps the mix clear and allows the true sub-bass elements to sit…
Transpose guitar an octave higher to avoid mid-range clashes
Problem: mid-range frequency clashes
Shifting the guitar an octave higher using Shift + Up Arrow helps avoid frequency masking with other mid-range elements like pianos or synths. This is a common fix in lo-fi production to ensure each instrument has its…
Use EQ to shape the frequency response of effects
Problem: muddy effects, lack of clarity
When using effects like sweeps or impacts, it's important to shape their frequency response with EQ. By cutting the low end of the effect, producers can avoid muddying the mix and ensure that the effect sits well in the…
Set tuning to 138Hz for trance bass foundation
Problem: weak or muddled sub-bass in trance
Trance bass frequencies typically sit around 138Hz for optimal sub-bass presence. This frequency provides a balance between low-end weight and clarity in the mix. The choice avoids muddiness while ensuring the bass…
Bump 700Hz for presence and clarity
Problem: muddy, unclear synth sounds
A subtle shelf boost around 700Hz enhances a synth's presence and clarity in the mix. This frequency range is critical for mid-range definition, helping the sound cut through without clashing with other elements. It's…
Boost high frequencies (7,000 Hz) and mid-range (700 Hz) for presence and warmth
Problem: muddy or unclear lead sound
Enhancing high frequencies with a narrow bell curve around 7,000 Hz adds brightness and clarity, while boosting mid-range at 700 Hz with a 30% width adds warmth and fullness. This balance ensures the lead sits well in…