Mixing Frequency Cheat Sheet
Mixing Frequency Cheat Sheet
What frequency every instrument lives in. Tap an instrument to see its key bands, what each does, and whether to boost or cut. A free EQ cheat sheet for mixing.
Vocals — key bands
| Band | Range | What it does | Move |
|---|
Starting points, not rules. Sweep, listen, trust your ears.
Universal frequency map
| Zone | Range | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Sub | 20–60 Hz | Felt, not heard. Weight and rumble. |
| Bass | 60–120 Hz | Punch and fullness. |
| Low mids | 120–400 Hz | Warmth, or mud if overdone. |
| Mids | 400 Hz–2 kHz | Body and boxiness. |
| Presence | 2–6 kHz | Attack, clarity, bite. |
| Air | 8–20 kHz | Sparkle and openness. |
What frequency is every instrument?
This mixing frequency cheat sheet shows where each instrument lives across the spectrum, so you can EQ with intent instead of guessing. Tap an instrument to see its key bands, what each one does, and whether to boost or cut.
How to use it
Find the instrument you are mixing, then move to the band you want to change. To remove mud, cut in the low mids. For clarity, lift presence. For air, add a high shelf. Always sweep with a narrow boost first to find the exact spot, then cut or boost gently.
FAQ
What frequency is the kick drum?
Kick weight sits around 60–100 Hz, beater click around 2–5 kHz. Cut some 300–500 Hz to remove boxiness.
What frequency are vocals?
Body around 120–350 Hz, presence and intelligibility around 2–5 kHz, air above 10 kHz. High-pass below about 80–100 Hz.
How do I get rid of muddy mix?
Mud usually lives around 200–500 Hz. Cut it on the instruments that do not need it, and avoid stacking too many sources in that range.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes, free forever. The paid upgrade is the plugins on Meshplugins.com that EQ your tracks automatically.
Related free tools
Want these moves done for you?
This cheat sheet is the free version. The plugins EQ your tracks automatically. Pro studio results, bedroom-friendly.
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