Yesterday we talked about the importance of taking the time to balance your tracks together before you even start putting any plug-ins on your mix. We also talked about creative panning, while making sure your mix is anchored to the center.

Today I'll give you some tips on the first of five of the most important plug-ins in every mix: EQ.

If you really want some in-depth training on using these 5 plug-ins there's a very special announcement at the end of this email.

All right, like I said, the 5 most important plug-ins to use in every mix are very common:

• EQ
• Compression
• Reverb
• Delay
• Saturation

Let's start with EQ.

1. EQ

EQ is your first mixing tool after leveling and panning.

Cutting out unwanted frequencies and boosting the fundamental characteristics of instruments is what EQ is all about.

1. Use filters and shelving together - Sometimes you don't want to filter too drastically, but you need to get rid of more lows or highs. Filters and shelving cuts work wonders together.
2. Use low-pass filters and add a resonant boost - Try it on guitars. Filter the highs all the way down to the high-mids, then add a boost right on the cut-off frequency to make them poke through the mix.
3. Try to keep your boosts minimal - Subtractive EQ and all that jazz. If you cut more and just raise the volume, you're essentially boosting the frequencies that are left intact.
4. Try to use buss EQ first - I love grouping instruments together into busses and EQ'ing them that way. It can mean a lot less work on the individual tracks if all your groups are sitting together in the mix.
5. Also EQ your effects - If you don't filter out the low-end of your reverb returns, chances are you'll end up with a very muddy mix. Always slap an EQ on the reverb or effects channels, or use the built-in EQ if your effects come with them.
6. Think before you EQ - Think about how many instruments the mix has, then try to divide them into the frequency spectrum before you start EQ'ing. If the bass is the thickness and you've DECIDED that try to keep to it. Some instruments should be bright, some should not. If you analytically think of it before EQ'ing you might save yourself some time.

Keep in mind that you shouldn't just EQ the mix once leave it alone.

That's not really how mixing works.

Mixing is a rebalancing act that requires you to adjust things as you go along.

Once you add more processors such as compression you'll lose some frequency balance because of the way the compressors are now working on your mix.

At that point it's time to EQ that back in. How I do it answers the age old question of "should I use EQ before or after compression?"

The answer will probably surprise you.

Furthermore, it's not just for rebalancing. It's present in every part of the process.

• When we add reverb we'll need EQ
• When we use delays we'll need EQ
• When we use saturation you'll often end up with high frequency loss so you'll need EQ

Think of it like your lightsaber on your journey as a heroic mixing engineer.

You might pick up more tips and tricks and powers of the force along the way but your lightsaber will always be there, trusty by your side.

Special Announcement: Save $50+ on Mixing With 5 Plug-ins

I'm opening up my flagship course this week to new members. I'll also be adding some new benefits to the course and raising the price.

So if you become a member before Friday you'll get access to all of my new bonuses for free before I raise the price and close the course down again.

Mixing With 5 Plug-ins will teach you:

• How to use EQ to create separation and clarity in your tracks.
• How to use compression to create shape in your instruments, whether you need to balance the dynamics or level out the transients.
• How to use reverb and delay to create full, rich and thick vocals.
• How to use saturation to sweeten up a mix.
• How to know what to look out for when you’re making your mix translate to other speaker systems.

The course includes:

• Weekly in-depth videos (both streaming and downloadable) that teach you to mix using the most important plug-ins for every mix.
• The same multi-tracks used in the course so you can follow along to really learn by doing.
• Access to a membership community both on Facebook as well as inside the membership area (in case you're not on Facebook).

PLUS: All New Content

• New Multi-track - A brand new multi-track to mix with drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, and multiple layers of vocals.
• Brand New Video - An all-in-one video where I go through all five plug-ins in one video, using the new multi-track as an example. This is great if you're stressed for time and want easy and practical tips right away while taking the time to go through the rest of the course at your own leisure.
• Final Mix Feedback For Every Member - I used to reserve weekly feedback for my premium members but now I'll give everybody who submits their final mixes after the course is over some in-depth feedback on how to improve.

All of this extra content is worth at least $99 but if you become a Mixing With 5 Plug-ins member before the cart closes on Friday you'll get all of the extra bonuses for free!

Here's where you go to learn to mix with only five plug-ins:

www.MixingWith5Plugins.com