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Intermediate
20 min

EQ and Space in UK Garage

EQ is your scalpel for carving space in the mix. Learn frequency ranges for UKG elements and how to create clarity without losing warmth.

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Frequency Ranges for UKG Elements

ElementKey RangeNotes
Sub Bass20-80HzFelt more than heard
Kick50-120Hz (thump), 2-5kHz (click)Two distinct zones
Bass80-300HzCarve around kick
Snare150-250Hz (body), 3-8kHz (crack)Body + snap
Hi-Hats5-15kHzHigh-pass below 300Hz
Vocals200Hz-5kHz (fundamental)Presence at 2-4kHz
Pads200Hz-8kHzHigh-pass to avoid mud

Cuts vs Boosts

The golden rule: cut to remove problems, boost to enhance character.

When to Cut

  • Remove mud: cut 200-400Hz on most non-bass elements
  • Remove harshness: cut 2-4kHz on bright synths
  • Remove rumble: high-pass everything except kick and bass
  • Remove resonances: notch out problem frequencies

When to Boost

  • Add presence: gentle boost at 2-4kHz on vocals
  • Add air: shelf boost above 10kHz on overall mix
  • Add warmth: gentle boost at 100-200Hz on bass
  • Add click: boost 3-5kHz on kick for definition

Mid/Side EQ

Mid/Side EQ lets you process center and sides separately:

  • Mid channel: Kick, bass, lead vocal, snare center
  • Side channel: Reverbs, stereo width, pads, backing vocals
  • Common technique: High-pass the sides to keep bass mono
  • Width trick: Boost high frequencies on sides for air

Dealing with Resonances

Every room and every sound has resonant frequencies that can cause problems:

  1. Sweep a narrow boost across the frequency range
  2. Listen for frequencies that jump out or ring
  3. Cut those frequencies with a narrow Q (8-12)
  4. Cut only 2-4dB - surgical, not destructive

Summary

Good EQ work is invisible - it creates space for each element without drawing attention to itself. Cut more than you boost, use high-pass filters liberally, and always EQ in context (with other elements playing). Trust your ears, not your eyes.

Devil's Advocate

Advanced thinking for experienced producers

"Can you EQ too much? When does it become destructive?"

Over-EQing is a common beginner mistake. Every EQ move introduces phase shift, and excessive cutting can make sounds thin and lifeless.

Alternative Workflows to Try

  • 1.Choose better sounds that need less EQ
  • 2.Use arrangement to create space instead of EQ
  • 3.Try gentle, wide boosts instead of narrow surgical cuts

Critical Thinking Traps

Trap: "Every track needs EQ"

Reality: Sometimes the best EQ is no EQ.

Trap: "Cut everything below 100Hz except bass"

Reality: Some sounds need their low end for body.

Trap: "Frequency charts are rules"

Reality: Charts are starting points. Your ears are the judge.

Lesson Downloads

EQ Preset Collection

Starting point presets for each element

Frequency Chart PDF

Quick reference for UKG elements

What You'll Learn

  • 1
    Frequency ranges for UKG drums, bass, synths
  • 2
    Using cuts vs boosts effectively
  • 3
    Mid/side EQ for width and clarity
  • 4
    Dealing with resonant frequencies

Continue Learning

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