Quick Mix Tip: Wash off the Mud
Anybody new to recording with multiple tracks is familiar with getting a “muddy” final mix. To put it perhaps too simply: muddy mixes occur when too many voices (instruments) occupy the same frequency ranges - particularly in the mid to low end.
The quick and simple solution to this is to “roll off” the low end of instruments that don’t need it. This process requires the use of an equalizer on each track. Depending on the equalizer, you will set the “hi(shelf) pass” or “low cut” to anywhere from about 80Hz to 300Hz.
My average rule is to roll off all vocals, guitars and other mid-to-high range instruments to around 300Hz. Doing this instantly lets low end instruments have a cleaner, tighter sound where it matters - in the low end. Of course this isn’t a steadfast rule. Where you cut depends primarily on what kind of music you’re mixing, what instruments are present, and what kind of mix you ultimately want.
Remember to use your ears! Don’t mix with your eyes or by the numbers. Look away from the computer monitor or the mixing board while turning those knobs and let your ears tell you where the best cuts are.