Fix a Mix with Certain Characters

General

• What You can Do if a Mix Feels e,g, Too Crowded / Too Dark / Too Thin etc.

Elements that Stick Out Uncomfortably Loud

1) Play a Mix and Increase Listening Volume to 85dB SPL

– i.e. Try a SPL Meter Like the Free Niosh Sound Level Meter and Set to A-Weighting / Slow Response to Measure the 85db)

2) Identify 2-3 Elements that Stick Out Uncomfortably 

3) Cut Each Element that Sticks Out Uncomfortably by -0.5dB at Fixed Frequency Spots of 1.2kHz / 1.8kHz / 2.5kHz, e.g. Start with a Cut of -0.5dB at a Q of 1 and Assign Each Frequency to Another Element

– i.e. Element 1 Cut -0.5dB at 1.2kHz / Element 2 Cut -0.5dB at 1.8kHz / Element 3 Cut -0.5dB at 2.5kHz

4) This is a Total of -1.5dB Energy Between 1.2kHz and 2.5kHz

Mix Feels Too Crowded

1) Identify 2-3 Elements that Occupy the Most Space

2) Cut Each Element with Fixed Frequency Spots of 400Hz / 800Hz / 1.2kHz, e.g. Start with a Cut of 0.5dB at a Q of 1 and Assign Each Frequency to Another Element

– i.e. Element 1 Cut 0.5dB at 400Hz / Element 2 Cut 0.5dB at 800Hz / Element 3 Cut 0.5dB at 1.2kHz

3) This is a Total of -1.5dB Energy Between 1.2kHz and 2.5kHz

Mix Feels Too Hard / Digital

1) Identify 2-3 Elements that Contribute to the Digital Sound 

2) Cut Each Element with Fixed Frequency Spots of 1.8kHz / 2.5kHz / 3.5kHz or 5kHz, e.g. Start with a Cut of 0.5dB at a Q of 1 and Assign Each Frequency to Another Element

– i.e. Element 1 Cut 0.5dB at 1.8kHz / Element 2 Cut 1d 0.5dB B at 2.5kHz / Element 3 Cut 0.5dB at 3.5kHz / or Cut Any of the Elements 0.5dB at 5kHz Instead

3) This is a Total of -1.5dB Energy Between 1.8kHz and 5kHz

4) For the Hard / Digital Sound You May also Cut 1dB Each for a Total of -3dB Energy Between 1.8kHz and 5kHz

Mix Feels Too Bright / Crisp / Sizzle

1) Identify 2-3 Elements that Contribute to that Offensive Bright Sound

2) Cut Each Element with Fixed Frequency Spots of 5kHz / 7.5kHz / 10kHz, e.g. Start with a Cut of 0.5dB at a Q of 1 and Assign Each Frequency to Another Element

– i.e. Element 1 Cut 0.5dB at 5kHz / Element 2 Cut 0.5dB at 7.5kHz / Element 3 Cut 0.5dB at 10kHz

3) This is a Total of -1.5dB Energy Between 5kHz and 10kHz

Mix Feels Too Slow

1) Identify if a Mix is Too Slow by Turning Down the Listening Volume and Get a Feel of the Tempo, the Turn the Listening Volume Up to 85dB and Check if the Song Now Feels Like it is Slowed Down 

2) Cut the Entire Mix 0.5dB at a Q of 1 at Either 80Hz / 130Hz / 200Hz (or a Combo)

3) Of Course You can also Assign the Cut to Certain Elements / Groups Instead to the Entire Mix

Mix Feels Too Muddy

1) Cut the Entire Mix 0.5dB at a Q of 1 at Either 150Hz / 200Hz / 250Hz / 300Hz (or a Combo)

2) Of Course You can also Assign the Cut to Certain Elements / Groups Instead to the Entire Mix

Mix Feels Too Quiet

1) Identify 2-3 Elements that Do Not have Enough Energy at this Point (can be Elements / Groups)

2) Boost Each Element with Fixed Frequency Spots of 1.2kHz / 1.8kHz / 2.5kHz, e.g. Start with a Boost of 0.5dB at a Q of 1 and Assign Each Frequency to Another Element

– i.e. Element 1 Boost 0.5dB at 1.2kHz / Element 2 Boost 0.5dB at 1.8kHz / Element 3 Boost 0.5dB at 2.5kHz

3) This is a Total of +1.5dB Energy Between 5kHz and 10kHz

Mix Feels Too Hollow (Not Full or has Holes)

1) Boost the Entire Mix 0.5dB at a Q of 1 at Either 400Hz / 800Hz / 1.2kHz Hz (or a Combo)

2) Of Course You can also Assign the Boost to Certain Elements / Groups

Mix Feels Too Soft (Loud but Not Hitting You)

1) Boost the Entire Mix 0.5dB at a Q of 1 at Either 1.8kHz (Careful as 1.8kHz Contributes to a Sharp Sound as Well) / 2.5kHz / 3.5kHz Hz / 5kHz (or a Combo)

2) Of Course You can also Assign the Boost to Certain Elements / Groups

Mix Feels Too Dark

1) Identify 2-3 Elements that Contribute to that Offensive Dark Sound

2) Boost Each Element with Fixed Frequency Spots of 5kHz / 7.5kHz / 10kHz, e.g. Start with a Boost of 0.5dB at a Q of 1 and Assign Each Frequency to Another Element

– i.e. Element 1 Boost 0.5dB at 5kHz / Element 2 Boost 0.5dB at 7.5kHz / Element 3 Boost 0.5dB at 10kHz

3) This is a Total of -1.5dB Energy Between 5kHz and 10kHz

Mix Feels Too Fast

1) Boost the Entire Mix 0.5dB at a Q of 1 at Either 80Hz / 130Hz / 200Hz (or a Combo)

2) Of Course You can also Assign the Boost to Certain Elements / Groups Instead to the Entire Mix

Mix Feels Too Thin

1) Boost the Entire Mix 0.5dB at a Q of 1 at Either 150Hz / 200Hz / 250Hz / 300Hz (or a Combo)

2) Of Course You can also Assign the Cut to Certain Elements / Groups Instead to the Entire Mix