Instrument Frequency Charts can be a helpful resource to help you get your bearings, but they are only a small part of the audio mixing learning process.
engineers to identify where various fundamental Lisa right or wrong? How about modern art? are measuring objective frequencies in a very
frequencies of common musical instruments What about street art? They each have their scientific manner. While these measurements
land. It seems like this could be an awesome own artistic qualities and they can’t be defined can help support decisions made within the
tool, but it is important not to get too far into as being mathematically or scientifically better subjective artistic domain, they don’t possess
the ‘paint by numbers’ or ‘mix sound with your than the other - they aren’t binary or true or a “your mix sounds good” indicator. Be careful
eyes’ game. Knowing that the fundamental of false. Many digital audio consoles include an not to conflate the two domains.
a bass guitar low E string is 41Hz is a good RTA (real-time analyzer) and they can be very general frame to have, but knowing how much powerful tools. For system and room tuning, low-end on the bass is going to work the best they are invaluable and have really helped in tandem with the kick drum and in the context raise the bar as to what an ‘optimal’ mix can While this first part of the EQ deep dive is
of the song and in the physical space, etc. is be. But the goal of creating the most effective admittedly conceptual and light on ‘how-to’
much more valuable. The color red occurs in and enjoyable mix is not the same as the ‘2b’ prescriptive instruction, Part 2 will get into easy
the 405–480 THz visible light range, but that Webster’s Dictionary equalization definition. steps to follow in crafting an effective mix. I’d
info alone isn’t going to help tell you whether A mix that looks ‘perfect’ (exactly flat, etc.) love to hear your thoughts on the viewpoints
it is the best shade of red to paint the apple in on the RTA can still sound horrible. I’ve also I’ve shared here, hit me up on LinkedIn anytime.
your still life painting. soloed a saxophone mic that sounded like a I hope you’ll hang in there with me for Part 2
wombat with a stubbed toe and certainly would and we’ll see you next month!
I think the painting analogy also works well have been an odd-looking RTA graph - yet it
to get the point across that there is not a was exactly the right EQ within the full band
fixed right and wrong combination of EQs or mix in the room. RTAs are awesome for many
frequencies for your mix. Is Da Vinci’s Mona system configuration and tuning tasks, but they
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May 2020
So what button do I push? Where do I start?
Jeff Hawley
A 20-year music industry veteran—equally at ease
behind the console, playing bass guitar, leading
marketing teams or designing award-winning audio
products. He currently heads up the marketing for
Allen & Heath in the US.
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