3/16/13

Mixing Magic Frequencies

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M I XI NG M A GI C F RE QU E NCI E S
Before sending in music for audio mastering, it is crucial to get the clearest, best sounding mix possible. Focusing on the frequency spectrum will get better tones from each instrument and M I XI NG M great A GI C F RE QUprimary E NCI E Swhen equalizing are to make the ultimately lead to sounding mix. The goals Before sending in a music for audio mastering , it is crucial to get the clearest, best sounding mix instruments sound on full,the add clarity, and make the instruments fit in their range. possible. Focusing frequency spectrum will get better tones fromown eachfrequency instrument and There are lead 6 major ranges thatThe are primary known as the magic frequencies. ultimately to afrequency great sounding mix. goals when equalizing are to make the instruments sound full, add clarity, and make the instruments fit in their own frequency range. There are 6 major frequency ranges that are known as the magic frequencies. Sub-Bass- between 16Hz and 60Hz This area is the low end that provides more of a bassy feeling as opposed to bass that is actually Sub-Bassbetween 16Hz and heard. These frequencies add a 60Hz sense of power to the song. Be aware that too much emphasis will make the song sound muddy. This area is the low end that provides more of a bassy feeling as opposed to bass that is actually heard. These frequencies a sense of power to the song. Be aware that too much emphasis Bass- between 60Hz andadd 250Hz will make the song sound muddy. This is the fundamental rhythmic section of the bass frequencies. Adding too much or too little Bass- between 60Hz and 250Hz of this area will affect the thinness or fatness of the low tones. These frequencies are where the boomy sound comes from. This is the fundamental rhythmic section of the bass frequencies. Adding too much or too little of this area affect the thinness or fatness L ow M ids-will between 250Hz and 2000 Hz of the low tones. These frequencies are where the boomy sound comes from. This is the range that the lower tones of musical instruments lie. Boosting this area can provide L ow M ids- between 250Hz and tone. 2000 Hz the telephone-like effect or tinny Within this range lies the devil frequency of 300Hz. This area is notorious for adding muddiness a mix. instruments lie. Boosting this area can provide This is the range that the lower tones ofto musical the telephone-like effect or tinny tone. Within this range lies the devil frequency of 300Hz. This High M ids- between 2kHz and 4kHz area is notorious for adding muddiness to a mix. A lot of the vocal qualities can be found in this part of the spectrum. If boosted too much, a lot High ids- between and 4kHz of the M speech elements2kHz are covered up and made indistinguishable. In a lot of music it is important for the qualities vocals tocan be be clear and in stand A helpful trick is to this area other A lot of the vocal found this out. part of the spectrum. If dip boosted too in much, a lot instruments, adding a few dB on the vocals. will maintain the volume of the speechand elements are covered up and madeThis indistinguishable. In power a lot ofand music it is of the instruments while keeping nice level for the vocals without important for the vocals toa be clear and stand out. A helpful sacrificing trick is to clarity. dip this area in other instruments, and adding a few dB on the vocals. This will maintain the power and volume of the Presence- between 4kHz and 6kHz instruments while keeping a nice level for the vocals without sacrificing clarity. This is an important area for finding clarity and definition for instruments and vocals. These Presenceandof 6kHz frequencies between affect the4kHz distance the sounds for the listener which are crucial for getting the in your face vocals that a lot of listeners are looking for. This is an important area for finding clarity and definition for instruments and vocals. These frequencies affect the distance of the sounds for the listener which are crucial for getting the in Brilliance- between 6kHz and 16kHz your face vocals that a lot of listeners are looking for. This area controls clarity and brilliance. A lot of the sibilance from vocals are found here as well as Brilliancebetween 6kHz and cymbals. This frequency can be 16kHz harsh if boosted too much and cause listener fatigue. This area controls clarity and brilliance. A lot of the sibilance from vocals are found here as well as cymbals. This frequency can be harsh if boosted too much and cause listener fatigue. Its important to listen to the mix at a moderate level while you are making adjustments. After 30 minutes or so, take a break to let your ears rest. If you mix for an extended period of time without breaks, ears willmix become exhausted and while you will not be able to properly hear the 30 Its important to your listen to the at a moderate level you are making adjustments. After adjustments being You could be doing more harm than good to the period mix with minutes or so, takemade. a break to let your ears rest. If you mix for an extended of tired time ears. without breaks, your ears will become exhausted and you will not be able to properly hear the While EQing it is a good rule of thumb to attenuate, or cut, the frequency first instead of adjustments being made. You could be doing more harm than good to the mix with tired ears. boosting. Boosting is simply adding more volume which may make it stand out more and sound better when really tone isof not ideal.to Boosting also some slight phase shifting While EQing it is a the good rule thumb attenuate, orcauses cut, the frequency first instead ofwhich makes it difficult to fit instrument in its volume own space in the spectrum. On the these boosting. Boosting is the simply adding more which may make it stand outother morehand, and sound are merely guidelines and whatever sounds best is the method to go with. By understanding better when really the tone is not ideal. Boosting also causes some slight phase shifting which makes it difficult to fit the instrument in its own space in the spectrum. On the other hand, these www.sageaudio.com/blog/pre-mastering-tips/mixing-magic-frequencies.php are merely guidelines and whatever sounds best is the method to go with. By understanding

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3/16/13

Mixing Magic Frequencies

where instruments lie in the spectrum, it is possible to get the clearest mix possible before the final polishing step of cd mastering is underway. where instruments lie in the spectrum, it is possible to get the clearest mix possible before the Previous post final polishing step of cd mastering is underway. Next Post Previous post Next Post Recording Studio Terms of Service Recording Studio Terms of Service
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