{"id":84530,"date":"2021-03-22T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-22T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=84530"},"modified":"2022-11-25T11:25:09","modified_gmt":"2022-11-25T11:25:09","slug":"5-eq-mistakes-new-producers-make","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/5-eq-mistakes-new-producers-make\/","title":{"rendered":"5 EQ mistakes new music producers make"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Image Credit: Dimitri Houtteman<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EQ is a powerful music production tool – when used correctly. Try and avoid making these common mistakes that producers make when EQing their tracks.<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In music production the EQ<\/a> process is such a vital part of any mix that the biggest mistake is forgetting about EQ in the first place. The second biggest mistake is using it too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check you\u2019re not making any of these common mistakes that producers, new<\/a> and experienced alike, make when EQing their tracks.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Forgetting about the mids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When EQing it\u2019s tempting to zone straight in on the very highs and the very lows of the mix,<\/a> for example focusing on getting that perfect big bone-quaking bass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don\u2019t neglect the midrange. Human ears are most sensitive to it, and it\u2019s where the heart of most instruments live. Too little midrange and the mix will feel hollow and lack power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Not making sure the tracks gel together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Generally, avoid EQing in solo when mixing. You might be fixing problems that don\u2019t exist and making the individual tracks worse, because none of your listeners will ever hear that one track by itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can do a little solo EQing in the prep phase, but when mixing<\/a> it\u2019s usually best to do most of your EQing whilst the whole mix is playing. Otherwise you can\u2019t be sure if the instrument fits into your entire mix, and you\u2019re wasting time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Using EQ as a volume control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t boost everything just to make it sound louder. As a rule, cut rather than boost EQ, as the result sounds more natural and preserves some headroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We naturally think that louder<\/a> equals better, but that\u2019s not always the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n