What frequencies should I cut on vocals?
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Frequency cutting on vocals is a subtractive process used to remove 'garbage' frequencies, minimize room resonances, and make space for other instruments. The goal is clarity and a natural tone rather than a heavily processed sound.
- 1.Apply a high-pass filter (HPF) between 70Hz and 100Hz to remove sub-harmonic rumble and low-end noise that muddies the mix.
- 2.Tame the 'mud' or 'boxiness' by applying a narrow-to-medium cut between 200Hz and 500Hz, especially if the vocal was recorded in a small, untreated room.
- 3.Reduce 'nasality' or 'honk' by searching for build-ups between 800Hz and 1.5kHz, cutting only enough to smooth out the tone.
- 4.Control harshness and sibilance by cutting or de-essing frequencies between 3kHz and 8kHz, where 'S' and 'T' sounds typically peak.
- ×Avoid over-filtering with the high-pass filter, as cutting too high (above 150Hz) will make the vocal sound thin and 'telephonic.'
- ×Don't cut too much in the 300Hz range or you will lose the 'body' and warmth of the singer's voice.
- ×Be careful with narrow 'surgical' cuts; too many sharp notches can cause phase distortion and make the vocal sound unnatural.
Use a dynamic EQ for the 2kHz - 5kHz range instead of a static cut. This allows the vocal to remain bright and present, only dipping the harshness when the singer hits a loud, piercing note.
Based on AI training data — may not reflect current information.
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