Mixing Tip #6: EQ and Volume

More "slap-on-the-wrist" things to beware of when fondling your EQ knobs (oo-er!).

OK... first of all, before applying and/or messing about with any EQ or effects etc... you should be just setting the relative volumes of each instrument, in order of the importance they have in your song, simple enough?

Right, if you now need to mess about with EQ and effects etc... remember that the adjustments will have an impact on the volume, so always keep an eye on the situ. If you increase it, decrease the main volume level for that instrument by a similar amount.

Consider lowering frequencies that sit either side of the ones most responsible for the instrument's "signature" sound. This can effectively boost the signal as the relative volumes between them has changed.

If you're boosting by anything more than 5 dB for volume, scrub it and re-record... Either that, or select another sound for the part instead.

Don't use effects to boost volumes. Particularly with compression (The input signal should be the same as your compressor's output (Remember, compression is for controlling the dynamics).

All this is essentially why you should look to cut, rather than boost where possible because, if you've gone through the initial procedure of setting-up each instrument's relative volume as described in the first paragraph, you really have no further upward movement, in theory. You can pull a few tricks but that's another subject.

Finally, remember that contrast plays a huge part in perceiving volume. To test: next time you're chatting to your mum, gradually lower the volume of your voice over the course of a couple of minutes. Then just shout sommat random like, "I'm not gay mum, honest!"