EQ an incredibly powerful tool to help you get great mixes… when it’s applied the right way. Just like any of the tools in our mixing arsenal.
A lack of understanding of EQ is one of the main reasons why it can take someone up to 2 years to figure out how to mix. They might have an idea of how to use it but they don’t know why it’s used.
Midrange EQ in particular is incredibly important to a great mix but the midrange often confuses us the most. Without a nice balance in this frequency range, it’s easy for our mixes to sound muddy, boxy, honky or nasal. If the midrange is a mystery to you, then today’s video is for you.
Not only am I going to show you how to EQ the midrange, but I’m going to show you how it fits into your mixing method. Remember that this is part 2 of a 3 part series on how to develop and perfect your mixing method.
After watching this video you’ll know:
- Why we use EQ
- What fundamentals, harmonics and overtones are
- Why the midrange is so important
- How to monitor only the midrange
- How to A/B all of your EQ changes for every instrument at once
- Much more than I can list here!
Now, I’d love to know…
What did you learn about EQ in the midrange? What fun tips can you share with us about midrange EQ?
Leave a comment below!
professional sounding mix every time...
Great video, Stephen. Informative, in-depth and enjoyable.
Thank you.
Although this is not strictly a mid-range move, the aim is to give the mid-range more room to breathe at the edges of the soundscape.
So here goes…
If I’m looking for a little extra width from the mix, I’ll use a Mid-Side EQ on the bus to gently (no more than 12dB/octave or it can start to sound too carved and thin) slope away up to about 60Hz from the sides, to minimise any bass/kick creep away from the mono centre.
It pushes out the sides a little further from the centre and centres the centre!
If that makes sense 🙂
Robin…
By way of a corollary to that, I should add that if you go too far, you will end up with a mono mix! Sorry, should have included that 🙂
Robin.
Thanks Robin! Glad to hear you enjoyed the video.
Your Mid-Side EQ tip is very valuable and can definitely help to accentuate the edges of a mix – especially in the midrange when well executed… as you’ve rightly pointed out.
Great tip!
Thanks,
-Stephen