Whenever I export a song and play it on normal speakers (phone, laptop, etc.), the high end is sort of there, but the full body of the song is lacking in a huge chunk of the high end, and as a result doesn't sound clear enough to be sonically satisfying. I've done some searching around and lots of sites say that it can be caused by a build up of low-end freq. in instruments that don't have much purpose in that area. I do narrow cuts accordingly in my mixes, but my songs just can't push their way into a fully clear sound on commercial speakers. Any tips/solutions?
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2What are you mixing in? What are you listening on? [If you're mixing on headphones… don't] Making portable mixes requires that at least your mix environment is flat. Beginners often need to carry mixes to many other playback systems before getting used to what defines a portable mix. We'd need to hear one to be able to say much more. Post to Soundcloud etc.– TetsujinApr 21 at 6:17
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Use a reference to prevent you to adapt yourself to the bad mix you are putting together. Try to imitate track by track the frequency distribution and loudness of the relevant part in the reference. Have the reference (a prepared loop) instantly available during your mixing work as many times as you need. Gradually you develop your skills and finally you do not need the reference.– user287001Apr 24 at 1:19
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"normal speakers (phone, laptop, etc.)" Lol. What is this world coming to?– ibonyun12 hours ago
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I think the most likely explanation for your troubles is that your monitoring situation is less than ideal. Headphones? Budget studio monitors in a small untreated room? It's not impossible to get good portable mixes with suboptimal monitoring, but it's certainly going to be much more difficult.– ibonyun12 hours ago
1 Answer
It is definitely better to cut than to add when EQ'ing. If the mix sounds "boxy", try cutting around 250 Hz. The "mud" is in the range 300-500 Hz.