Ralph Sutton’s Frequency Chart: Your Essential EQ Guide for Perfect Instrument Recording

Discover the optimal frequency ranges and EQ tips for recording and mixing a variety of instruments, based on Ralph Sutton’s expert techniques honed over decades of professional recording experience.

Drums and Percussion:

Kick Drum: 50 Hz – 100 Hz
Low-End: Boost around 60 Hz for deep thump.
Midrange: Cut 300-400 Hz to reduce boxiness.
Presence: Add 4-6 kHz for attack.

Snare Drum: 120 Hz – 250 Hz (Body), 4 kHz – 6 kHz (Crispness)
Low-End: Boost 200 Hz for fullness.
Midrange: Cut 500 Hz to reduce muddiness.
Presence: Add 5 kHz for snap.

Hi-Hat: 8 kHz – 12 kHz
Presence: Boost 10 kHz for shimmer.
Low-End: Roll off below 200 Hz to reduce bleed.

Toms (High, Mid, Low, Floor): 80 Hz – 400 Hz
High Tom: Boost 200 Hz for warmth.
Mid Tom: Add 300 Hz for body.
Floor Tom: Boost 80 Hz for depth and roll off above 500 Hz to focus.

Overhead Mics: 5 kHz – 12 kHz
Presence: Add 10 kHz for brilliance.
Low-End: Roll off below 100 Hz to reduce rumble.

Timbali: 200 Hz – 700 Hz
Low-End: Boost 300 Hz for body.
Presence: Add 6 kHz for attack.

Congas: 150 Hz – 700 Hz
Low-End: Boost 200 Hz for body.
Presence: Add 5 kHz for slap detail.

Bongos: 200 Hz – 800 Hz
Low-End: Boost 300 Hz for resonance.
Presence: Enhance at 6 kHz for attack.

Timpani: 80 Hz – 400 Hz
Low-End: Boost 100 Hz for fullness.
Presence: Slight boost at 2 kHz for definition.

Strings:

Violin: 200 Hz – 2.5 kHz
Midrange: Boost 1 kHz for body.
Presence: Add 3 kHz for brilliance.

Viola: 150 Hz – 1.5 kHz
Low-End: Boost 200 Hz for warmth.
Presence: Slight boost at 2.5 kHz for clarity.

Cello: 100 Hz – 800 Hz
Low-End: Boost 120 Hz for depth.
Presence: Add 3 kHz for articulation.

Harp: 80 Hz – 2 kHz
Low-End: Boost 200 Hz for body.
Midrange: Add 1 kHz for texture.
Presence: Slight boost at 6 kHz for sparkle.

Upright Bass: 60 Hz – 250 Hz
Low-End: Boost 80 Hz for warmth.
Midrange: Add 700 Hz for clarity.
Presence: Slightly boost 3 kHz for articulation.

Keyboards:

Grand Piano: 27 Hz – 4 kHz
Low-End: Boost 80 Hz for fullness.
Presence: Add 5 kHz for clarity.

Rhodes Piano: 100 Hz – 3.5 kHz
Low-End: Boost 120 Hz for warmth.
Midrange: Add 1.5 kHz for detail.
Presence: Enhance at 3 kHz.

Horns:

Trumpet: 200 Hz – 1 kHz
Low-End: Boost 250 Hz for warmth.
Midrange: Add 800 Hz for body.
Presence: Enhance at 4 kHz for brilliance.

Saxophones: Soprano: 250 Hz – 1.5 kHz,
Alto: 200 Hz – 1.2 kHz,
Tenor: 150 Hz – 1 kHz,
Baritone: 100 Hz – 900 Hz
Low-End: Boost 150 Hz for fullness (depending on type).
Presence: Add 3-5 kHz for clarity.

Trombone: 150 Hz – 1 kHz
Low-End: Boost 200 Hz for depth.
Midrange: Add 800 Hz for warmth.
Presence: Enhance at 2 kHz for articulation.

French Horn: 150 Hz – 1.5 kHz
Low-End:

Sousaphone: 40 Hz – 150 Hz
Low-End: Boost 50 Hz for richness.
Midrange: Add 120 Hz for clarity.
Presence: Enhance at 1.5 kHz for articulation.

Euphonium: 60 Hz – 150 Hz
Low-End: Boost 80 Hz for depth.
Midrange: Add 200 Hz for fullness.
Presence: Slight boost at 1 kHz for clarity.