Add high-end presence to guitars for clarity and punch
Problem: guitars lack clarity and presence
Boosting the high-end frequencies (around 6-7kHz) on guitars helps them cut through the mix and sit on top of the bass and drums. This is especially useful in rock and metal where the guitars need to be present and…
Use a shallow slope on EQ to emulate high-end lift
Problem: lack of high-end presence, dull sound
Applying a shallow slope on an EQ at 20kHz can emulate the effect of a high-end air band on vintage hardware like the Mark 4 EQ. This technique adds a subtle lift to the upper end of the frequency spectrum without being…
Use saturation to introduce new harmonics in the high end
Problem: lack of high-end detail, dull sound
Saturation can be used to add new harmonics and overtones in the high end, especially when the source material lacks high-frequency content. This is particularly useful for elements like synths or vocals that need more…
Brighten strings to enhance emotional impact in the chorus
Problem: strings sound too low and lack presence in the chorus
Brightening the upper midrange of strings can help them stand out more in the chorus, enhancing their emotional impact. This is especially useful in genres like trance and house where the chorus needs to be more exciting…
Use Masaleki Q for a smooth top-end boost
Problem: closed or dull high end
The Masaleki Q is a plugin that can be used to add a smooth top-end boost, typically around 27 kHz with a 1 dB shelf. This helps open up the high end of the track and add clarity and air. It's especially useful for…
Use high cut on the second mid bass to add clarity and detail
Problem: lack of clarity in mid bass, muddiness
A high cut at 12.5kHz is applied to the second mid bass to allow more brightness and detail from the sound to come through. This helps the bass layer stand out more in the mix and adds clarity to the overall sound. This…
Use high cut on the second mid bass to add clarity and detail
Problem: lack of clarity in mid bass, muddiness
A high cut at 12.5kHz is applied to the second mid bass to allow more brightness and detail from the sound to come through. This helps the bass layer stand out more in the mix and adds clarity to the overall sound. This…
Enhance stereo width with mid-side EQ on high frequencies
Problem: narrow stereo imaging, lack of air
The speaker demonstrates boosting 8-12kHz in the side channel of a mid-side EQ to enhance stereo imaging on high frequencies (e.g., cymbals, hi-hats). This adds 'air' and spatial depth without affecting the mono…
Avoid over-boosting high frequencies in the sides
Problem: harshness in high frequencies
Excessive boosting of high frequencies in the side channels can lead to harshness and brightness, especially when combined with reverb and vocals. This creates an unbalanced mix that feels 'squawky' and fatiguing to…
Boost 8K with a shelf to bring the snare forward
Problem: snare feels buried in the mix
Adding brightness at 8kHz using a shelf EQ makes the snare feel more present and forward in the mix. This is especially effective for snare drums that feel buried in the low-mid range. The high-frequency boost adds…
Bright reverb on snare adds clarity and presence
Problem: snare lacks clarity in mix
The speaker emphasizes a preference for bright reverb on snares, which enhances their high-frequency detail and makes them cut through the mix. This approach avoids muddiness and ensures the snare remains audible in…
Boost 2-3kHz on piano for clarity
Problem: muddy or indistinct piano
The piano track had a slight boost in the 2-3kHz range to enhance clarity and presence. This frequency range is critical for articulation and definition in piano recordings. The boost helps the piano cut through the mix…
Use high-end EQ to control energy in drops
Problem: overly aggressive high-end in drops
The producer mentions applying an EQ at the higher end for the drop to 'keep it chill.' This implies using a high-pass or shelf filter to reduce harshness or overexcitement in the upper frequencies. While no specific…
Boost 1.2kHz and 30kHz for high-frequency presence
Problem: lack of high-frequency presence
The speaker applies a 4.2dB boost at 1.2kHz and a 2dB boost at 30kHz to enhance high-frequency presence and airiness. This creates a more open and spatial sound, particularly useful in trance and house for adding depth…
Boost lead guitar high-end for brightness
Problem: dull lead guitar, lack of presence
A 2-3dB shelf boost above 8KHz adds air and presence to the lead guitar, making it cut through the mix. This is essential in rock and pop mixes where guitars need to compete with vocals and other instruments in the…
Prioritize tambour over snare for high-end brightness
Problem: competing high frequencies between snare and tambour
When snare and tambour compete in the high frequencies, choosing the tambour as the primary source of brightness creates a more cohesive high-end. This decision avoids harshness from the snare and allows the tambour's…
Prioritize vocal intelligibility with minimal top-end boost
Problem: muffled or unclear vocals
Adding a small amount of high-end to vocals improves clarity without introducing sibilance. This approach focuses on intelligibility rather than excessive brightness, which is critical in pop and rock mixes where vocal…
Mistake: overcooking the high end by boosting everything
Problem: brittle, fatiguing high end
Boosting high frequencies on all elements (vocals, synths, hats) makes the mix sound brittle and fatiguing. The correct approach is to boost only the most important high-end elements (vocals, hats) and leave others…
Clean up high frequencies for a clearer sound
Problem: muddy or harsh high end
Removing excessive high-frequency content reduces harshness and muddiness, allowing the synth to sit cleanly in the mix. This is especially important for synths that can become overly bright or cluttered in the upper…
Boost high frequencies for presence
Problem: lack of high-end presence
Increasing the high-end frequencies on the piano adds clarity and presence, making the instrument stand out in the mix. This is particularly useful for ensuring instruments are heard clearly in dense arrangements.
Add subtle sheen to enhance top-end finish
Problem: mix lacks polish or top-end presence
A small amount of high-frequency sheen (e.g., 8-12kHz) can polish the mix without harshness. This technique adds clarity and presence to vocals/instruments, making the mix feel complete. It’s particularly useful in…
Check for excessive high-end elements in the mix
Problem: excessive high-end masking or harshness
The speaker identifies a 'shaker peeking up' in the upper mid-range, indicating a potential issue with harshness or imbalance in the high frequencies. This is a technique to use spectral analysis or reference comparisons…
Mistake: Over-processing the top end can make it 'cooked' and harsh
Problem: over-processed top end
The speaker notes the top end feels 'cooked' and 'harsh' after processing, indicating over-processing in this range. This is a common pitfall where excessive EQ or saturation introduces fatigue rather than clarity. The…
Cut around 200Hz to reduce harshness in the top end
Problem: harsh top end, over-processed sound
The speaker identifies a harshness in the top end and suggests a broad cut around 200Hz to address it. This frequency range may be contributing to an over-processed or scooped sound. The cut helps smooth out the top end…
Use high-end EQ to add crispness to trance leads
Problem: lead lacks presence in the mix
Boosting high frequencies with an EQ (especially around 8-12kHz) adds clarity and 'crispiness' to trance leads. The speaker demonstrates this by referencing a VU meter to ensure the boost doesn't overdrive the signal.…
Add a high shelf to strings for more sizzle and presence
Problem: strings lack presence and clarity
Adding a high shelf to the strings can enhance their brightness and presence in the mix. This helps them cut through the arrangement and adds a sense of air and space. This technique is particularly useful in trance and…
Cut very high end with basic EQ
Problem: harsh high frequencies, digital artifacts
Removing extreme high frequencies (above 15-20kHz) prevents harshness while preserving the synth's character. This is done using a simple high-pass filter or shelf cut. The result is a smoother, more professional sound…
Reduce high-end brightness on drums with EQ
Problem: track too bright, harsh high end
The producer admits to over-brightening tracks and uses EQ to tame harsh high frequencies on hats and cymbals. This creates a more balanced frequency spectrum, preventing listener fatigue and ensuring clarity in the mix.…
Tilt frequency response with white noise for high-end energy
Problem: muddy high-end, lack of clarity
White noise can be shaped with a high-pass filter to emphasize the upper frequencies, creating a 'tilt' that adds brightness and urgency. This technique is especially useful in breakdowns or transitions where you want to…
Add high-end to drums for clarity and presence
Problem: drums lack clarity and presence in the high-end
The producer emphasizes the importance of adding high-end frequencies to the drums to make them sound clearer and more present in the mix. This is especially important in genres like trance and house, where the high-end…
Focus on the high end energy from cymbals early in the arrangement
Problem: neglecting high-end energy in early arrangement
The producer emphasizes the high-end energy from cymbals early on, which helps set the mood and intensity of the track. This is a strategic choice to ensure that the track has a clear sense of direction and that the high…
Adjust high-end clarity for better reference matching
Problem: muddy or dull high frequencies
The speaker adds a small amount of high-end clarity to the mix to better match the reference track's brightness. This shows that even after plugin-based alignment, manual tweaks are necessary to achieve the desired tonal…
Add noise to enhance high-end presence
Problem: synth lacks presence in the high-end
Adding a small amount of noise to a synth sound can help it cut through the mix and add character in the high-end frequency range. This is especially useful for making lead sounds or melodies stand out in a busy…
Boost high-end frequencies for more sizzle in a synth
Problem: synth lacks clarity or presence in the high-end
Boosting high-end frequencies in a synth can add more sizzle and presence to the sound. This is especially useful for making lead sounds or melodies stand out in a busy mix. The boost adds clarity and definition, making…
Use EQ to enhance the sizzly high-end of the cymbal
Problem: cymbal lacks presence in the mix
Boosting the high-end of the cymbal with EQ adds energy and clarity to the track. This is especially important in big-room and trance music, where high-end presence is crucial for creating a powerful and immersive sound.
Boost high end and scoop lows on vocal EQ
Problem: muddy vocal competing with low end
Increasing high frequencies (10-15kHz) adds clarity and air to the vocal, while cutting low-mid frequencies (200-400Hz) prevents muddiness. This ensures the vocal doesn't clash with bass or kick. The result is a vocal…
Boost high and mid-high frequencies for clarity
Problem: melody lacks presence
Enhancing the high and mid-high frequency ranges on the melody ensures it cuts through the mix. This is a standard EQ technique in melodic techno to make the lead stand out against pads, bass, and percussion.
Use span meter for high-end level analysis
Problem: Inadequate high-end presence
For high-end frequency ranges (around 3kHz and above), use a span meter to analyze average levels. This helps identify if your track has sufficient high-end presence compared to reference tracks. Adjust levels…
Use high-end notes for textural contrast
Problem: monotonous atmospheric layers
Placing a high-pitched note (e.g., an E) atop an atmospheric arrangement adds brightness and complexity. The speaker uses this to create an 'extra drony sound,' demonstrating how high-end elements can cut through dense…
Use multi-band processing to enhance high-end clarity
Problem: mix lacks presence in loud environments
Boosting the high-end (e.g., 8-12kHz) with a shelf on a multi-band compressor helps the track cut through in loud environments. This technique targets the 'air' frequencies, ensuring the mix remains present in club…
Mistake: thinking kick's clickiness is a problem without checking high-end interaction
Problem: over-EQing kick due to perceived clickiness
The kick's high-frequency click may not be inherently bad — it could be fighting with the track's high-end elements (like synths or hats). Instead of removing it outright, check if it's clashing with other high-end…
Reduce kick's high-end clickiness with EQ
Problem: kick's high-end clashing with track's high frequencies
If the kick's high-end click is clashing with the track's high frequencies, use a gentle high-pass or shelf cut on the kick's high-end (around 5-8kHz) to smooth it out. This preserves the kick's punch while avoiding…
Enhance high frequencies for clarity and presence
Problem: muddy, undefined high frequencies
Boosting high frequencies adds brightness and definition to the acid sound, making it stand out in the mix. This is particularly important in electronic music where clarity is key for the sound to cut through dense…
Boost high frequencies around 7000Hz to make vocals sound brighter and more expensive
Problem: dull or lifeless vocals
Boosting high frequencies around 7000Hz can add brightness and presence to vocals, making them sound more polished and professional. This is a subtle but effective technique used in pop and R&B to enhance vocal clarity…
Tame excessive high end with EQ
Problem: harsh or fatiguing high end
Reducing overly bright high frequencies prevents harshness and maintains clarity. This is crucial in buildups where high-end elements can become distracting. A gentle shelf cut around 8-10kHz often works well for…
Boost high end to make the mix sound shiny and expensive
Problem: dull or flat-sounding mix
Boosting the high end on certain elements can add clarity and a sense of polish to the mix. This is especially useful for elements like vocals and guitars, where a brighter sound can make them stand out more and give the…