A common problem a lot of us encounter when we’re mixing is that we don’t achieve the same level of clarity as the mixes we hear on the radio or our favourite streaming service.
Quite simply… our mixes sound “muddy”. The first step to fix this problem is to use a very easy EQ move.
It’s so easy that I don’t even need to write at length about it. All you have to do is follow these 5 steps the next time you’ve got a muddy mix on your hands:
- 1. Once you’ve balanced the faders and panned your mix as you see fit, start monitoring your mix in mono.
2. From there, add an EQ to your stereo bus.
3. Sweep around the 250Hz to 500Hz range and listen for frequencies that stand out as being out of balance. The problem frequencies might be slightly higher or lower, but generally within this range.
4. Make a small cut of about 0.5-1.5dB in this range with a narrow Q.
5. Volume match your EQ by flipping between active and bypass mode and adjust the output.
It really is that simple. By taking this corrective EQ approach, you’ll be able to take the first step to hearing the mix the way you want to hear it and this leaves you in a great place to start adding EQ to your individual tracks. As you go through them, you might find even more mud on the individual tracks and you can clear that out as you go, creating a more clear and balanced mix.
Taking this approach also encourages you to keep going as you’ve made a huge quick win at the start of the mixing process to have your mix sounding much closer to the intended finished product.
A lot of mixers will boost the high end to counteract the muddy tones they’re hearing, but this actually takes their mix further out of balance and you start fighting a losing battle. By taking this corrective approach, you’re keeping your mix balanced, gaining more headroom and achieving your original goal without constantly adding things.
Don’t get me wrong… In my book, EQ boosts have a time and a place, but the first step to fix muddy mixes is not an EQ boost – it’s smart corrective EQ on the stereo bus.
Leave a comment below and let me know how well this works for you!
professional sounding mix every time...
thank
You’re welcome!