Balance in Mixing: Subtractive vs. Additive EQ ⚖️

Every mix lives between two forces:
removing what doesn’t belong,
and enhancing what deserves to shine.

Subtractive EQ is carving space.
Additive EQ is adding presence.

Together, they create balance — clarity without emptiness, energy without harshness.

Great mixers don’t choose one.
They know when each serves the song.

🎧 Subtractive EQ — The Art of Removing

Subtractive EQ is like sculpting marble —
you chisel away what’s in the way so the music inside can breathe.

Use it to:

Think subtractive when a sound feels crowded, boomy, or cloudy.

Small cuts, big clarity.

Let silence do the heavy lifting.
Less noise = more meaning.

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Additive EQ is shaping color —
boosting what makes the sound alive and emotional.

Use it to:

Think additive when a sound feels dull, buried, or flat.

Boost gently, tastefully, intentionally.
Add light — don’t blind.

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Balance is not choosing one method —
it’s knowing when each one serves the song.

Clear space, then lift emotion.
Cut the noise, then reveal the magic.

Mixing isn’t about boosting everything.
It’s about discovering what’s already beautiful —
and making sure nothing gets in the way.

Because sometimes the best sound…
is what you take away.

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I've been teaching audio engineering and music production for 35 years.⭐️

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