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EQ SETTINGS CHEAT
SHEET
www.mixinglessons.com

INTRODUCTION

First of all, a huge thank you to you for

downloading this free guide. If you haven’t
already, be sure to join the mixinglessons.com
mailing list by clicking here. That way, you’ll get
notified every time a new article or tutorial hits
the site.

The EQ settings in this guide are here to help you

achieve the sound that you want from various
instruments. By showing you the kind of sound
characteristics that occur at key frequencies, you
can either increase that characteristic by boosting
that frequency range, or lessen it by cutting that
frequency range.

Of course, no two recordings are the same. This

guide offers a great starting point for equalizing
your tracks. But don't be afraid to experiment and
alter as necessary to achieve the sound that you're
looking for.
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EQ SETTINGS CHEAT
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www.mixinglessons.com

KICK

60-100Hz: Thump
100-250Hz: Roundness
400-600Hz: Boxiness
2-6kHz: Attack
4-8kHz: Click

SNARE

100-150Hz: Warmth
150-250Hz: Fatness
800-1000Hz: Boxiness
2.5kHz: Slap
3-5kHz: Attack
8-10kHz: Crispness

RACK TOM

240-500Hz: Fullness
600-1000Hz: Boxiness
5-7kHz: Attack
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FLOOR TOM

80-120Hz: Fullness
400-800Hz: Boxiness
2.5-5kHz: Attack

CYMBALS / HI HATS

100-300Hz: Clang
4-7kHz: Crispness
8-12kHz: Sizzle
12kHz and up: Sheen

OVERHEADS

50-250Hz: Muddiness
400-1000Hz: Boxiness
7.5kHz and up: Shimmer
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EQ SETTINGS CHEAT
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BASS GUITAR

50-100Hz: Bottom
100-200Hz: Roundness
200-500Hz: Muddiness
500-1000Hz: Punch
2.5-5kHz: Pop

ACOUSTIC GUITAR

80-100Hz: Bottom / muddiness

100-240Hz: Body
100-400Hz: Boominess
800-2000Hz: Boxiness
2-5kHz: Presence
3-7kHz: Attack
5kHz and up: Brightness
8kHz and up: Brittleness
10kHz and up: Pick noise
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EQ SETTINGS CHEAT
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CLEAN ELECTRIC GUITAR

50-60Hz: Mains hum

80-250Hz: Muddiness
100-400Hz: Boominess
150-250Hz: Warmth
240-500Hz: Fullness
2-5kHz: Bite
6kHz and up: Sizzle
8kHz and up: Noise
8kHz and up: Brittleness

DISTORTED ELECTRIC
GUITAR

50-60Hz: Mains hum

100Hz: Muddiness
150-250Hz: Warmth
240-500Hz: Fullness
400-1000Hz: Crunch
2-5kHz: Bite
6kHz and up: Sizzle
8kHz and up: Noise
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PIANO

30-50Hz: Pedal noise

80-120Hz: Bottom
200-400Hz: Muddiness
2.5-5kHz: Presence
5-7.5kHz: Shrillness
10kHz and up: Attack

VOCALS

100-400Hz: Fullness
200-250Hz: Muddiness
500-1000Hz: Nasal
3kHz: Clarity
5kHz: Presence
7-10kHz: Sibilance
10kHz and up: Air