Play Overheads frequencies
Pick a band to boost it on the loop. Cut and Solo use the same frequency.
Overheads
Where a overheads usually needs help
Overheads are the cymbals and the picture of the kit. They also carry a lot of kick and snare low-mid that the close mics already have.
High-pass until the close mics own the low end, then listen for cymbal harshness before you add air.
| Frequency | Job | What you are hearing |
|---|---|---|
| 120 Hz | Bleed | Kick and tom rumble the overheads do not need. |
| 400 Hz | Room box | Small-room cardboard. A wide, gentle cut. |
| 2500 Hz | Snare bleed | Can be useful. Cut only if the snare is thin and clanky. |
| 8000 Hz | Cymbal edge | Harsh wash. Better as a dynamic cut than a static shelf down. |
| 12000 Hz | Air | A small shelf after the harsh band is under control. |
These are starting points for this instrument, not a preset. The numbers differ from the bass guitar page because the problems differ. Playback is a peaking filter around +9 dB or −10 dB, or a solo, as described in the methodology.
Other instruments
Hear it in a chart. Train it in the app.
The frequency trainer uses drums, bass, guitars and mixes so the bands on this page show up in daily practice.
Download on theApp Store- EQ & compressionDaily drills on drums, bass, guitars and full mixes.
- Intervals & chordsPiano training that uses the same note names as these pages.
- Studio toolsMetronome, tone generator and tap tempo live in the app too.
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Keep training & testing
FAQ
Overheads EQ questions
What frequency is most important on a overheads?
Start with the fundamental or the mud, not the air. On this page that means reading the first rows of the table and soloing them before you touch a high shelf.
Will these exact numbers fit my recording?
No. Microphones, tunings and arrangements move the resonances. Use the labels to know what you are hunting, then sweep a few semitones either side.
How loud should I listen?
Keep soloed bands at a conversation level. These pages can generate steady tones and noise, which fatigue your ears faster than music. If anything rings or feels uncomfortable, stop and turn the volume down.