Use the F-Word & Get Better Mixes

When I first started mixing music, I used the f-word… a lot!

In the beginning my mixes didn’t sound right. They had too much bass, they sounded thin, or the volume balance was off. They would sound good through my monitors, but would sound horrible in the car or my headphones.

I started engineering in 2006, only a year after YouTube had been founded. Many of the great video tutorial sites that we use today hadn’t existed yet. I had to educate myself by Googling questions, buying some books on the subject, and experimenting. Then things started to change.

As time continued I started utilizing a different f-word that helped me get better mixes. What is that word? Frequency! I used EQ to treat specific frequencies that brought clarity and balance to my mix and the sound began to improve.

Here is a guide from Home Studio Corner that helped me:

100-200Hz

– adds punch to a snare

– gives almost any instrument a rich or full sound

– too little can make a track sound thin or cold

200 – 500Hz

– adds warmth or weight to guitars, pianos, & vocals

– too much can make a track sound muddy

– too little can make the track weak or thin

500-1000Hz

– gives body and tone to many instruments

– too much sounds honky or hollow

– too little sounds thin and harsh

2kHz

– gives edge and bite to guitars and vocals

– adds clarity

– too much can be harsh

5 – 10kHz

– adds clarity and open-ness

– important for the top end of drums

– too little will lack presence and energy

16kHz

– adds air or space

– almost too hight to really hear

– too little sounds dull and stifled

Hope that helps and gets you moving in the right direction.

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If you are looking for an engineer to record, mix, and/or master your music:

Call me directly at 323-543-5356

You can also email me: agruv@agruv.com

For samples of my work, visit my website: http://agruvstudios.com/

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What’s up underground hip hop heads! My name is Alex, as an audio engineer I go by Agruv. UnderGroundHipHopBlog (UGHHB) has given me the opportunity to contribute weekly tips about the music industry. Although my background is in audio engineering, I did start out as a musician in high school and attended Musicians Institute (MI) in Hollywood. During my year at MI, I studied music business, which allowed me to see first hand how the industry works.

My weekly topics will mainly cover audio engineering, which will include recording, mixing, and mastering. I may occasionally cover topics such as networking, marketing, collaboration, and some philosophical ramblings from time to time.

Again, I’d like to thank UGHHB for this great opportunity. I hope I get to work with you guys on any recording, mixing, and mastering projects. But more importantly, I hope you gain some knowledge and understanding about the industry, make some dope music and take your career to the next level.

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