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Episode show notes:
Most of the low end advice online sounds clean, structured, and logical.
But it also makes a lot of mixes smaller.
In this episode, Benedikt and Manel break down five common low end mixing myths.
This is not a “never do this" episode.
It’s about understanding what’s really happening in the low end so you stop fixing problems you don’t actually have.
🎯 The 5 Low End Myths We Break Down
1. “If the kick fundamental is at 60Hz, cut the bass at 60Hz.”
2. “The bass needs to live above or below the kick.”
3. “High-pass everything except kick and bass.”
4. “Below 100Hz there can only be kick and bass.”
5. “You must carve out space or they’ll mask each other.”
🔑 What Actually Makes Low End Work
1. It Starts at the Source
- Drum choice and tuning
- Sample choice
- Bass instrument choice
- String choice
- Performance
- Timing
- Arrangement
- Key of the song
If you pick the right sounds, faders alone often get you 80% there.
2. Think in Terms of Energy
Low end is about:
- Relative amounts of energy
- Transient interaction
- Sustain overlap
- Glue vs separation
- Context with mids and highs
Sometimes the problem isn’t in the low end at all.
Sometimes it’s guitars masking kick attack.
Sometimes it’s too much midrange hiding bass character.
3. Timing Changes Everything
Slightly offset bass timing can:
- Reduce low end buildup
- Extend groove feel
- Increase clarity
Impact is often about transient alignment, not EQ moves.
4. Control Buildup Dynamically
Instead of static carving, try:
- Multiband compression
- Dynamic EQ
- Transient shaping
- Shortening sustain
Control the moments where energy spikes — don’t gut the whole instrument.
5. Stop Fixing Problems You Don’t Have
This might be the most important takeaway.
If it sounds good, don’t “optimize” it.
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For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/305
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