Question 1

What frequencies make a mix sound muddy?

Accepted Answer

Muddiness typically accumulates between 200–500Hz. This is where guitars, bass, piano, and vocals all pile up. Cutting each instrument in this range (surgical cuts with a narrow Q) clears up the low-mid congestion and separates elements in a mix.

Question 2

What frequency is vocal sibilance?

Accepted Answer

Vocal sibilance (harsh "S" and "T" sounds) typically falls between 5kHz and 9kHz. Male vocals tend to have sibilance around 6–7kHz, while female vocals often sibilate at 7–9kHz. A de-esser targets this range with a dynamic compressor or dynamic EQ.

Question 3

What frequency range does a kick drum occupy?

Accepted Answer

Kick drums occupy multiple frequency ranges: sub weight (40–80Hz), body and thump (80–200Hz), beater click (2–5kHz), and snap (8–12kHz). The fundamental "thump" at 60–80Hz is what most listeners feel, while the 3kHz click defines the kick in a dense mix.

Question 4

How do I make vocals cut through the mix?

Accepted Answer

Vocal presence lives between 2kHz and 5kHz. A gentle boost (+2–3dB) at 3kHz adds intelligibility and cuts through dense arrangements. Additionally, cutting competing instruments (guitars, keys) in that same range helps vocals sit forward without harsh boosting.

Question 5

What is the presence range in EQ?

Accepted Answer

The presence range is generally considered to be 4kHz–8kHz. This range controls the clarity, detail, and definition of instruments and vocals. Boosting here with a high shelf or broad bell adds perceived loudness and clarity. It is also where vocal sibilance and hi-hat definition live.

Question 6

What frequencies give bass punch and body?

Accepted Answer

Bass punch comes from 60–100Hz (the fundamental thump). Bass body and warmth lives from 100–200Hz. Boosting at 80Hz adds chest weight, while boosting 100–150Hz adds warmth and body. Cutting 250–400Hz on the bass removes the muddy, boxy quality and makes the low-end tight and defined.

Question 7

What are the key EQ frequencies for electric guitar?

Accepted Answer

Electric guitar body and warmth sits at 150–400Hz, boxiness at 300–700Hz (cut for clarity), mids and bite at 700Hz–2kHz, and pick attack at 2–5kHz. High-pass below 100Hz to remove amp rumble. The presence scoop around 400–500Hz is a classic move for cutting through dense arrangements.

Question 8

What frequency range does a piano cover?

Accepted Answer

An 88-key piano spans from A0 (27.5Hz) to C8 (4,186Hz). High-pass the piano at 80Hz when bass and kick are present. Cut 250–350Hz to remove boxiness. Boost 2kHz for key attack and 6–12kHz for brilliance and air.

Question 9

How do I use Clash Mode to fix frequency conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Click any two instrument names in the FREQCAL chart to pin them. The tool highlights every overlapping frequency zone with a hatch overlay. Hovering those zones reveals specific fix-it suggestions, such as cutting one instrument while boosting the other, or using sidechain compression.

Question 10

What does the Heat Map view show?

Accepted Answer

The Heat Map visualises frequency congestion across all visible instruments at once. Brighter red zones indicate more instrument pairs clashing at that frequency. It is the fastest way to find the most problematic ranges in a full arrangement — typically 200–500Hz and 2–4kHz light up the most in dense mixes.

FREQCAL

EQ Frequency FAQ