Find where it lives-Subtractive Eq

Tonight I had just a little time to try another technique of cleaning up the spectrum in the mix. What I did was add a Blue Cat’s Frequency Analyst on an individual track. The reason was to see and not just hear, where that instrument or voice “lives” on its respective track. Then in most cases using subtractive eq via an EQ plugin, “cut” the frequencies that do not exist from about -30db on down. While not a black and white approach, if a voice doesn’t use up a specific area for its own character, then why have it in the mix? There is always something else that needs to park there.

This is especially true for the popular midrange zones occupied by bass, guitar and the ever complex vocals. So much like cooking I guess.