Let me explain why relying on EQ cheat sheets when mixing music can actually hold back your development as a mixing engineer.
Think of it like learning to cook – while recipe books might seem helpful at first, they can prevent you from developing your own understanding of how flavors work together.
Problem with using EQ cheat sheet when mixing
The fundamental problem with EQ cheat sheets is that they treat audio mixing like a universal formula, when in reality, every sound source is unique.
Imagine you have two different vocalists recording the same song – one might have a naturally bright voice that needs taming in the higher frequencies, while another might have a darker tone that needs enhancement in those same frequencies.
A cheat sheet would suggest the same EQ moves for both, which could make one recording worse instead of better.
Work on Critical Listening Skills
Sound is also highly context-dependent. Let’s say you’re mixing an electric guitar.
A cheat sheet might tell you to boost at 2.5 kHz for more presence, but if that guitar is playing alongside a vocal that’s strong in that same frequency range, following that advice could create an unpleasant frequency masking effect where both sounds fight for the same space in the mix.
Instead of using cheat sheets, you’ll grow much more as a mixing engineer by developing your critical listening skills.
Start by learning to identify different frequency ranges by ear.
For example, when you hear mud in your mix, try to actively listen and identify whether it’s coming from the low-mids around 200-300 Hz or perhaps slightly higher around 400-500 Hz. This skill takes time to develop, but it’s invaluable.
The mixing process should follow your ears, not a sheet of paper.
What to do when mixing?
Begin by listening to your track and asking yourself: What’s not working? Is the vocal getting lost? Is the bass too boomy? Then make targeted adjustments based on what you hear.
Over time, you’ll start recognizing patterns in your own work, which is much more valuable than following generic guidelines.
Think about the musical context too.
A kick drum in an electronic dance track might need very different EQ treatment than one in a jazz recording. The arrangement, genre, and overall vision for the song should guide your EQ decisions, not predetermined frequency charts.
Additionally, modern music production often involves working with professionally recorded and processed sounds, like virtual instruments or sample packs, that are already well-balanced.
Applying generic EQ recommendations to these sounds might actually degrade their quality rather than improve it.
If you’re just starting out, here’s a more constructive approach: Pick a single instrument in your mix and spend time experimenting with different EQ moves.
Boost or cut various frequencies while listening carefully to how the sound changes. Make extreme adjustments at first – boost 6-8 dB at different points across the frequency spectrum – so you can clearly hear what each frequency range sounds like.
Then, once you understand what you’re hearing, dial back to more subtle adjustments that serve the mix.
Remember, developing your ears takes time and practice, but it’s a much more reliable tool than any cheat sheet could ever be. The goal isn’t to memorize frequency numbers, but to train yourself to hear what needs fixing and know how to fix it based on the specific context of your mix.
How to develop these critical listening skills required for mixing without EQ Cheat Sheet?
Let me guide you through developing critical listening skills for mixing music. This is one of the most valuable skills you can cultivate as a mixing engineer, and while it takes time, there’s a clear path to improvement.
First Step – Intentional Listening
Let’s start with the foundation – focused, intentional listening.
Think of this like learning a new language, where you first need to train your ears to recognize different sonic “words” and “phrases.” Here’s how to begin:
First, create a simple listening exercise using a single sound source.
Let’s say you’re working with a vocal track. Start by listening to it without any processing, but instead of just casually hearing it, actively focus on different aspects of the sound.
What’s the natural tone like? Is it bright or dark? Does it sound close to your ears or far away?
This kind of active questioning helps develop your analytical listening abilities.
Second step – Frequency recognition training
Now, let’s move into frequency recognition training. This is crucial for mixing, and you can practice it systematically.
Start with your vocal track and apply an EQ with a narrow boost (about 6-8 dB) using a parametric equalizer. Slowly sweep this boost across the frequency spectrum while listening carefully.
As you do this, try to associate what you’re hearing with descriptive words:
When you boost around 100-200 Hz, you might hear “warmth” or “thickness”
Moving up to 250-500 Hz, notice how it can sound “boxy” or “muddy”
Around 1-2 kHz, pay attention to the “presence” or “forwardness”
In the 3-5 kHz range, listen for “clarity” or “definition”
Up at 8-10 kHz, observe the “air” or “brightness”
Do this exercise regularly, but limit your sessions to about 15-20 minutes to avoid ear fatigue. Your brain needs time to process and internalize these new listening skills.
Third and final step – Selective hearing
Once you’re comfortable with single tracks, advance to comparing multiple elements. Play a full mix and practice focusing on specific instruments.
This is like developing selective hearing – being able to zoom in on the bass while still being aware of how it fits with the kick drum, or focusing on the relationship between the vocal and the lead guitar.
Here’s a practical exercise for developing this skill: Take a commercial track in your genre and try to focus on just one instrument for the entire duration.
Then replay the song focusing on a different instrument. This helps train your brain to isolate and analyze specific elements within a complex mix.
Another crucial aspect is learning to identify problems in your mix. Start with extreme examples – make something obviously too bright or too muddy, then gradually work with more subtle adjustments.
This helps you recognize these issues more quickly in real mixing situations.
Additional Notes
Time perspective is also important.
When you’re working on a mix, take regular breaks – perhaps 15 minutes every hour. When you return, your ears will be fresher, and you’ll often hear things you missed before.
Also, try listening to your mix at different times of day and on different systems. This helps you understand how your mix translates across different listening environments.
Consider creating your own frequency response journal. When you’re mixing, write down what you’re hearing and what adjustments you make.
Over time, you’ll start to see patterns in your descriptions and decisions, helping you build your own personalized understanding of frequency relationships.
Remember to practice these skills with different types of music. A classical piano piece will teach you different things about frequency relationships than a heavy rock track or an electronic dance song. This variety helps build a more comprehensive understanding of how different sounds work together.