EQ and Frequency Management Flashcards
7 cards from real Music & Audio Advice practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 EQ and Frequency Management flashcards as text
What is 'frequency masking' in the context of mixing?
Answer: When one sound obscures or hides another sound in the same frequency range
Frequency masking occurs when two sounds sharing the same frequency range compete, causing one to drown out the other and reducing overall clarity in the mix.
Which technique involves cutting a narrow frequency band from one instrument to create space for another instrument occupying the same range?
Answer: Subtractive EQ (frequency carving)
Subtractive EQ, or frequency carving, cuts unwanted or competing frequencies from one instrument so that another instrument can be heard more clearly in that range.
What does 'additive EQ' refer to in mixing practice?
Answer: Boosting certain frequencies to enhance desired tonal characteristics
Additive EQ means boosting frequencies to emphasize certain tonal qualities, as opposed to subtractive EQ which involves cutting unwanted frequencies.
'Mud' or 'muddiness' in a mix is most commonly caused by a buildup of energy in which frequency range?
Answer: 200 Hz – 500 Hz
The 200–500 Hz range is the primary source of 'mud' — excessive energy here from multiple instruments can make a mix sound thick, unclear, and lacking definition.
What is the primary purpose of boosting 'air' frequencies (approximately 12–16 kHz) during mixing or mastering?
Answer: To add openness, sparkle, and airy presence to a mix
A gentle shelf boost in the 12–16 kHz 'air' band adds an open, airy shimmer to a mix, making it sound more spacious and polished without introducing harshness.
When EQ'ing a kick drum, which frequency range typically controls the 'attack,' 'click,' or 'snap' of the beater hit?
Answer: 3–5 kHz
The 3–5 kHz range on a kick drum captures the beater click or snap, which is responsible for the transient attack that cuts through a dense mix.
What is the main advantage of a 'linear phase EQ' over a 'minimum phase EQ'?
Answer: It introduces no phase shift, preserving transient integrity
Linear phase EQ processes audio without introducing any phase shift at EQ'd frequencies, which is especially important on the master bus or when phase coherence between tracks matters.