Sweeping the EQ

One of the greatest techniques that you should really consider is the "Sweeping" technique.

You've heard or you've read on some forums talking and saying: "I listened to your song. You should boost around at 3kz area" or "Needs some cutting in 30hz cause it's too muddy".
And then you're thinking: "How the heck does he know when and where he should cut a frequency?"

Yeap! The answer is: Sweeping.

When you sweep (a range of) frequencies you do it to:
1) Cut an offending frequency.
2) Boost a frequency that colorizes your sound and fit in the mix.

By improving your sweeping method your mixes will improve dramatically.
Day by day you'll be the one that will say: "Hmm... needs a little boost/cut at 3kz"!


How to Sweep to cut an offending frequency:

1) Open your equalizer (every single daw has its own).
2) Boost around 12 db or more with a relative narrow band.
3) Adjust the frequency knob till you find the spot that is most disturbing to your ears
4) Make any adjustments needed (try a wider Q for example or vice versa)
5) Now that you've found the offending frequency by boosting it it's time to cut it. Start cutting some gain and let your ears find the sweet spot.


How to Sweep to boost a "charming" frequency:

1) Open your equalizer (every single daw has its own).
2) Boost around 12 db or more with a relative narrow band.
3) Adjust the frequency knob till you find the spot that is most pleasurable to your ears.
4) Make any adjustments needed (try a wider Q for example or vice versa)
5) Start boosting from 0 and let your ears find the sweet spot.

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In order to help you I've found a chart that shows you all the instruments and their frequencies.

It tells you exactly what frequency muds your intrument or brighten it for example, only by just mouse-overing onto it!

It's so useful especially for beginners!

Do not use this chart just because you have it though.
When you master the sweep technique you won't need charts and mixing according to charts blindly won't help you improve your mix style...

And most important it won't help you train your ears.

Here is the chart though. I hope you will use it wisely.
http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm

I think that knowning the EQ is the most basic aspect for a good mix.

Am I right?

In your post there is some truth. Eq'ing is very important, but there are such things like compressing, gating, verbing and so on. Eq'ing depends on your music taste, "quality of your ears", studio monitors and other things. Hm... Am I Right?

EQ and Compression first. Reverb Later. The most basic aspects. Of course there are lots of things to add such as delay, panning and stuff but the top 3:
EQ, Compression, Reverb.

Both of you are correct

Sender wrote:

the top 3:
EQ, Compression, Reverb.

+1