Passeq Analog Code
®
Plug-in
21
Using Equalizers
Complementary filtering
One of the most difficult problems in mixing instruments is the
masking effect. Loud instruments cover others when their frequen-
cies lie in the same range. It can be very frustrating to discover that
a terrific sounding instrument track suddenly sounds boring when
added to a mix.
Of great help here can be an application of the above-described f re-
quency range separation and processing through complementary
signal filtering. In the process specific frequencies of one instru-
ment should be reduced with narrow bandwidths while increasing
the same frequencies of other instruments. This involves boot and
cut values between ca. 3-6 dB.
Classic conflicts of this type happen, for example, between kick
drum and bass or between lead and background vocals, and these
are perfect circumstances for applying complementary filtering to
avoid masking problems:
• Kick Drum/Bass: A reduction of the kick drum between 350
and 400 Hz and an increase in the same bass frequencies will
reduce the cardboard sound of the kick drum while lending
the bass more presence.
• Lead/Background Vocals: A cut between 3 and 4 kHz in the
background voices gives them a needed airy quality, while
boosting the same lead vocal range allows it to come through
with more clarity.
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