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Muddy Mix Cheatsheet

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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IKKVM MVKKI
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251 views5 pages

Muddy Mix Cheatsheet

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.

Uploaded by

IKKVM MVKKI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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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the creative flow, and make your best mixes yet.

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