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    Muddy Mix Cheatsheet

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    IKKVM MVKKI
    This document provides a 4-step process for identifying and eliminating mudiness in a mix. Step 1 involves using a plugin to analyze the frequency spectrum and identify areas with too much energy, often in the lower midrange or low end. Step 2 uses the mute button method to identify the problematic track. Step 3 reduces the level or EQs the problematic track. Step 4 is a last resort of gently EQing the mix bus. The overall goal is to diagnose and address areas with too much energy that are causing mudiness.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Muddy Mix Cheatsheet

    Uploaded by

    IKKVM MVKKI
    105 views5 pages
    This document provides a 4-step process for identifying and eliminating mudiness in a mix. Step 1 involves using a plugin to analyze the frequency spectrum and identify areas with too much energy, often in the lower midrange or low end. Step 2 uses the mute button method to identify the problematic track. Step 3 reduces the level or EQs the problematic track. Step 4 is a last resort of gently EQing the mix bus. The overall goal is to diagnose and address areas with too much energy that are causing mudiness.

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    This document provides a 4-step process for identifying and eliminating mudiness in a mix. Step 1 involves using a plugin to analyze the frequency spectrum and identify areas with too much energy, often in the lower midrange or low end. Step 2 uses the mute button method to identify the problematic track. Step 3 reduces the level or EQs the problematic track. Step 4 is a last resort of gently EQing the mix bus. The overall goal is to diagnose and address areas with too much energy that are causing mudiness.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    105 views5 pages

    Muddy Mix Cheatsheet

    Uploaded by

    IKKVM MVKKI
    This document provides a 4-step process for identifying and eliminating mudiness in a mix. Step 1 involves using a plugin to analyze the frequency spectrum and identify areas with too much energy, often in the lower midrange or low end. Step 2 uses the mute button method to identify the problematic track. Step 3 reduces the level or EQs the problematic track. Step 4 is a last resort of gently EQing the mix bus. The overall goal is to diagnose and address areas with too much energy that are causing mudiness.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 5

    Muddy Mix Cheatsheet

    Step 1: Check For Tonal Balance


    The goal of this step is to collect information that can help you diagnose the problem.

    You’re trying to find an area of the frequency spectrum that has too much energy. Once
    you determine where this is, you’ll know where to focus your attention moving forward.

    Plugin needed: ​Voxengo SPAN​ (it’s free!)

    - First, add SPAN to your mix bus. Click the “Edit” button and copy the settings below:

    - Next, find a part of your song that has a full, dense arrangement (the chorus is usually
    a great spot).

    - Press play and let SPAN listen to your track for 5 - 10 seconds.

    - Press the “Hold” button on SPAN to freeze the display.


    - Observe the display. Ideally, it should be smooth, with no big bumps or valleys (see
    below).

    - If you see a bump, take note of where it is. If your mix sounds muddy, you’ll often find
    a bump in the lower midrange (150 - 400 Hz) or the low end (150 Hz down). This is
    where you’ll want to focus your attention moving forward.
    Step 2: Use The Mute Button Method
    The Mute Button Method will help you quickly identify the
    tracks in your session that are causing muddiness. To apply
    this technique, follow these steps:

    - With the mix playing, mute the first track in your session.

    - Listen to the mix. Did the muddiness go away? If so, you’ve found the track that’s
    causing the problem.

    - If the muddiness is still there, unmute the first track and mute the next track in your
    session.

    - Keep muting and unmuting tracks until the muddiness disappears. Once it does, you’ll
    know that the last track you muted is the source of the problem.

    Once you’ve found the problem track, move on to the next step.

    To learn more about the Mute Button Method, ​watch this video​.

    Step 3: Eliminate Muddiness With Balance Or EQ


    Before adding EQ to this track​, turn it down using the fader.

    If this doesn’t solve the problem, add an EQ to the track and cut the area identified in
    Step 1 until the problem disappears.

    Step 4: EQ The Mix Bus


    This step is a last resort, and should only be used if you’ve gone through the steps
    above and are still hearing muddiness.

    - Add an EQ to your mix bus and cut the area of the frequency spectrum you identified
    in Step 1.
    - Be gentle. A dB or two is often more than enough. And listen out for additional
    problems; oftentimes, mix bus EQ can fix one issue, but create another.

    To learn more about mix bus EQ, ​watch this video​.

    For more mixing tips, visit ​BehindTheSpeakers.com​.


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