Avoiding mid-range clutter
Watch out for too many sounds competing for space in the mid-range
IT’S TEMPTING TO
think that the only requirement when it comes to the latter stages of sprucing a mix, ready for its final bounce, is to pay attention to the treble end. Yet mixes require equal attention paid to all frequency bands.
When you hear a mix which sounds properly balanced, this is in part due to the huge care paid to the mid-range, which expands from just above the fundamental frequency of kick drums and basslines though to the meat of low treble and the fizz and sparkle which comes further up. This area, from approximately 200Hz to 1kHz can be further broken down into bands – low mid-range, mid-range, upper mid-range etc. This range provides the meat and ‘substance’ of a mix, without which the bass won’t sound powerful and the top end won’t sound clear.