# Vocal EQ guide A little goes a long way when cutting low-mids on vocals. It's easy to rob the vocal of its warmth.[^1] The first harmonic is where the warmth and body lies (e.g. if the fundamental is 100Hz, 200Hz is the first harmonic).[^2] Cutting here before [[Compressing vocals]] can improve clarity.[^3] Boost 300Hz if your vocal feels hollow or nasal.[^4] 300-500Hz can sound boxy and have room resonance.[^2] 400-500Hz is typically a muddy region.[^4] 500-1kHz is a region where rooms tend to resonate.[^5] 550-600Hz can be a trouble spot for female vocals.[^6] 600Hz is another warmth spot, but it can sound boxy too.[^2] I like to bring this out in a [[Vocal reverb]]. 2k-5kHz is an area of vocal intelligibility.[^4] 1k-2.5kHz is good for presence, but it can sound honky and nasally.[^2] I noticed down to 900Hz sometimes too. Billy Decker actually uses a de-esser on this zone. I can try a dynamic EQ.[^8] 2.5k-3.5kHz is nasally at worst but present at best.[^2] Our ears are most attuned to 4kHz. This range can get harsh.[^2] You can [[Use a parallel high band to add intelligibility]]. Boosting the delays and reverbs can also add intelligibility. Gregory Scott argues this is because of our evolutionary propensity to cue in to sound reflections.[^7] 6kHz is for clarity, but it can get tinny.[^2] This is often where constants lie. 7k-10kHz is sibilant.[^2] Boost 8kHz with a bell or shelf for sheen.[^4] 10k-16kHz is where the top end sizzle is.[^2] Boost 12-14kHz with a shelf. You may like to follow this with a cut at 18kHz.[^4] 20kHz is the air.[^2] [[Use a multiband compressor on vocals]]. Joseph sets this at a threshold where it only activates at louder moments.[^6] [^1]: [Mixing & Mastering for Singer-Songwriters | Freeman Recordings](https://www.freemanrecordings.io/products/mixing-fundamentals-eq/categories/2149866024/posts/2156036512) [^2]: [VOCAL EQ SECRETS of the PRO’s - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq1di2luMcs) [^3]: [Benchmarks For Killer Vocal Mixing](https://thehouseofkush.com/blogs/museletter/benchmarks-for-killer-vocal-mixing) [^4]: [Most POWERFUL Vocal EQ Tips - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fMs1EwPUmI) [^5]: [The One Thing I Always Do When Mixing Vocals - YouTube](https://youtu.be/eN6JaUO_nrs) [^6]: [Deep Dive: Lead Vocals (Female Vocals)](https://www.freemanrecordings.io/products/mixing-fundamentals-eq/categories/2150190361/posts/2157279726) [^7]: [How to SEAT A VOCAL Down INTO THE MIX](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iUxRE-mdfk) [^8]: [[Template Mixing with Billy Decker]]