When EQ Isn't Enough to Fix Harshness (Do This)

Harsh mixes are rarely caused by one thing. What you're usually hearing is several sources — cymbals, guitars, vocals — each with their own dynamic harshness, all landing at the same time.

EQ feels like the obvious fix, but because harshness is dynamic rather than fixed, a static EQ cut can't keep up with it.

In this video I'm showing you four ways to use a multiband compressor to smooth out that uneven high frequency energy so that when you do reach for your EQ, it finally starts working the way you expect it to.