Har-Bal Users Forum BBS

Are there any general rule-of-thumb guidelines in recording/mixing that would help to minimize individual instrument "frequency space conflicts?"

Tom

tcatzere wrote:Are there any general rule-of-thumb guidelines in recording/mixing that would help to minimize individual instrument "frequency space conflicts?"

Tom

Tom

An important rule of thumb is to remember that every instrument has its own frequency range. When mixing I always low shelf and high shelf based on the range of frequencies a particular instrument covers.There are plenty of charts available that provide this information including the chart on our here on our website.
The object is to prevent frequency overlapping and give each instrumentits own space.
This process eases the mixing phase tremendously

Cheers

Earle

Earle,

This is exactly what I was looking for -- thanks so much. One additional question . . . when you say "shelf . . . the range of frequencies a particular instrument covers," are you referring to just the fundamental range -- or should this be the fundamental range up through the 1st -- or maybe even the 2nd harmonic?

Tom

Shelving is good.

But if you are working with, say guitar power chords power chords, you may NOT want to 'shelve' at 82.5 Hz (the fundamental of the low 'E'). If you do, you lose the 'difference' frequencies.

You need to use your ears before you start carving away. But, it is very effective when done well.