Getting a clean baseline mix shouldn't require an engineering degree. Use these core target frameworks for your
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these exact values over Wi-Fi.
1. Vocals & Speech [Free]
Optimize lead and pastoral microphones for maximum speech intelligibility and zero stage rumble.
- Low Cut (HPF): Set to 100Hz-120Hz (12dB/octave slope) to eliminate microphone handling noise.
- Parametric EQ: Cut muddy resonances between 250Hz and 400Hz by -3dB (medium Q of 1.5). Add a wide presence boost of +2dB at 3kHz, and a high-shelf boost of +1.5dB at 10kHz for vocal air.
- Dynamics: Compressor threshold at -18dB, 3:1 ratio, 20ms attack, 100ms release. Gate/expander threshold at -55dB with a gentle 1:2 ratio to silence stage bleed.
2. Acoustic Guitar [Free]
Balance the organic wooden resonance of DI-box or mic'd acoustic guitars without muddying the low-mids.
- High-Pass Filter: Set strictly between 80Hz and 95Hz to clear space for the bass guitar and kick drum.
- Parametric EQ: Cut body boominess between 160Hz and 220Hz by -4dB (narrow Q of 2.5). Attenuate harsh piezo pickup frequencies at 3.5kHz by -3dB.
- Dynamics: Apply light transient control. Ratio 2:1, Attack 15ms, Release 150ms. Set expander gate threshold at -45dB with range limited to 12dB.
3. Keyboards & Digital Piano [Free]
Manage wide-spectrum stereo patches so they remain lush without masking other stage instruments.
- Low Cut (HPF): Engage a soft low cut filter at 60Hz. This ensures synth bass patches don't conflict with the bass guitar player.
- Parametric EQ: Create a wide, gentle dip of -2dB centered right at 1kHz (Q of 0.8) to clear a pocket for lead vocals.
- Dynamics: Keep compression off or set to a bypass state to maintain natural expressive touch, or 2:1 for pop.
4. Electric Guitar [Pro]
Route electric guitar amp mics or modelers to sit tightly in the mid-range pocket of the mix.
- Filters: Apply an HPF at 75Hz. Apply a Low-Pass Filter (LPF) down to 8kHz to roll off harsh high-frequency digital fizz or amp hiss.
- Parametric EQ: Boost the warm fundamentals around 500Hz by +1.5dB (wide Q of 1.0). Scoop out the ice-pick bite at 4kHz by -2.5dB if the guitar cuts too aggressively.
- Dynamics: Keep compressor off for high-gain. For clean funk strumming, use a 3:1 ratio with a very fast 5ms attack to squash transient peaks.
5. Bass Guitar [Pro]
Establish a rock-solid low-frequency foundation that locks cleanly with the kick drum transient.
- Filters: Set a sub-sonic HPF at 30Hz to protect subwoofers from taxing energy. Set an LPF at 4.5kHz to remove fret clatter.
- Parametric EQ: Bring out sub-bass punch with a mild boost at 65Hz (+2dB). Apply a precise cut at 250Hz by -4dB to remove boxy clutter.
- Dynamics: High control required. Set compressor ratio to 4:1, Attack to 35ms to let plucks through, and Release to 250ms for even sustain.
6. Kick Drum [Pro]
Optimize the fundamental low-end thump and clean click of the bass drum.
- HPF & Gate: HPF at 30Hz. Fast expander gate with a -35dB threshold to kill stage bleed.
- Parametric EQ: Boost sub-thump at 60Hz (+3dB). Cut cardboard tone heavily at 400Hz (-6dB, Q 3.0). Boost click at 3.5kHz (+4dB) to highlight beater attack.
7. Snare Drum [Pro]
Establish a crisp crack and full body on the main snare channel.
- HPF & Dynamics: HPF at 75Hz. Compressor ratio 4:1, Attack 10ms, Release 80ms to catch the stick transient.
- Parametric EQ: Boost fundamental body crack at 150Hz-200Hz (+2dB). Notch out ringing shell overtones near 500Hz.
8. Hi-Hat [Pro]
Brighten hi-hat cymbals and completely remove low-end bleed.
- HPF & EQ: HPF at 200Hz. Scoop mids at 400Hz (-4dB), boost sizzle at 5kHz (+2dB), and apply high-shelf air at 10kHz (+3dB).
- Dynamics: Keep gate threshold low around -50dB to allow soft stick hits through while filtering low-frequency drum bleed.
9. Toms [Pro]
Define tom attack while gating out drum kit resonant bleed.
- HPF & Gate: HPF at 60Hz. Apply a fast expander gate at -45dB to prevent tom ringing from muddying the mix.
- Parametric EQ: Cut mud at 300Hz (-3dB), boost stick attack at 3kHz (+2dB), and add low-end tom punch at 80Hz (+2dB).
10. Overheads [Pro]
Route stereo overhead cymbal mics for clean, natural top-end air.
- HPF & EQ: HPF at 150Hz. Scoop out boxiness at 500Hz (-3dB), boost cymbal definition at 6kHz (+2dB), and apply high air at 12kHz (+3dB).
- Dynamics: Typically no gating or compression to maintain the natural dynamics of the cymbals.