Record, Mix & Master

Reference Guide to Equalizing

Bass Guitar

The bottom or deep low end of the bass guitar sound lives between 50Hz and 80Hz. The attack or thump of the sound is found at around 700Hz. The bite or definition is around 1KHz and the presence or brightness is at 2.5kHz

Kick Drum

The bottom or low end of a kick drum is found at around 80 – 100Hz. The thud or oomph is at 400Hz and the click or sound of the beater striking the drum is at 3 – 5kHz

Snare Drum

The thickness or warmth of a snare drum is between 120 – 240Hz. The boing or sponginess of the sound is at 900Hz. The crispness or brightness is at 5kHz and the snap or sound of the stick striking the drum at 10kHz

Toms

The Fullness or body of toms is between 240 – 500Hz and the attack or sound of the stick striking the drum is at 5 – 7kHz

Floor Tom

The Fullness or body of a floor tom is between 80 – 120Hz and the attack or sound of the stick striking the drum is at 5kHz

Hi Hat / Cymbals

The Clang or metallic sound of a cymbal is at 200Hz and the sparkle or sizzle is at 8 –10khz

Vocals

The fullness or depth of a voice is around 120Hz. The boom or muddiness is at 240Hz for most male voices and 300Hz for most female voices. The presence or brightness is at 5kHz. The Sibilance or spitting sound is at 4Khz for male and 5kHz for female voices. To add air to the sound boost between 10 – 15kHz

Electric Guitar

The Fullness or body of an electric guitar is at 240 – 500Hz and the presence or brightness is at 1.5 – 2.5kHz

Acoustic Guitar

The Fullness or body of an acoustic guitar is between 80Hz – 240Hz and the presence or brightness is at 2 – 5kHz

Organ

The Fullness or body of an organ is at 80Hz – 240Hz and the presence or brightness is at 2 – 5kHz

Piano

The body or warmth of a piano is at 80Hz and presence or definition of the sound is at 2.5 – 5kHz.

Horns

The body or fullness of a horn section is at 120 – 240Hz and the piercing or “cutting through” sound is at 5kHz

Strings

The warmth or fullness of a string section can be found at around 240Hz. The scratchiness or bow sound is between 7 – 10kHz