19
Passeq
An overview of frequencies and examples for possible processing
(Here we provide approximate values which may expand to adjacent areas)
50 Hz – cut: Reduces boominess in all lower instruments (basses, kick drums, toms)
whose function also implicitly increases the relative level of harmonics
and improves the presence of bass lines.
50 Hz – boost: Fuller sonic qualities for all lower frequency instruments.
100 Hz - cut: Limits boominess, greatly increased guitar clarity and limits sustain with
Toms.
100 Hz – boost: Firmer bass sound for all low frequency instruments, adds more warmth to
piano and horns.
200 Hz – cut: Less muddiness with voices and middle instruments, while helping to elim-
inate the “gong” resonance with cymbals.
200 Hz – boost: Fuller sound for voices, snare drums and guitars.
400 Hz – cut: Limits hollower sound qualities in lower drums.
400 Hz – boost: Clearer bass lines.
800 Hz – cut: Diminishes the “cheap” sound of some guitars.
800 Hz – boost: Noticeably clearer, punchier bass lines.
1.5 kHz – cut: Reduces an uninteresting sound in guitar tracks.
1.5 kHz – boost: Clearer, cleaner basses.
3 kHz – cut: Hides badly tuned guitars or other problems with poor intonation.
3 kHz – boost: Better bass guitar attacks, more attack with electric and acoustic guitars,
snares and other percussion as well as lower piano parts, more voice
clarity.
5 kHz – cut: Softens thinner or tiny sounding guitars.
5 kHz – boost: Improves voice presence and brightens guitars, gives more attack to low
frequency drums, piano, and acoustic guitars.
7 kHz – cut: Reduces sibilants.
7 kHz – boost: Provides more attack with percussive instruments.
10 kHz – cut: Also reduces sibilants.
10 kHz – boost: Brightens voices, similarly brightens guitar, piano and harder cymbals.
15 kHz: Boosts in this range brighten most sounds, but be careful with hidden
dangers such as emphasizing noise, hiss and/or creating excessive sibi-
lance. The rule always applies: Before reaching for the knob to boost
levels, rst try cutting frequencies elsewhere for accentuations.
Recommendations on using Equalizers