Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this video, I explain and demonstrate some important considerations about whether you should put a high-pass filter on your sounds that own the low end in your mix. Specifically, whether you should do this on your kick and sub tracks. This is episode 17 in a series about how to mix for loudness, in large part by using a specific approach to gainstaging and dynamic range control that I call the "Clip-to-Zero (CTZ) strategy".
0:00 - In this video
6:05 - Why you should *not* HPF your mixbus or master
12:36 - Don't HPF the extreme lows if you can't hear a problem
14:29 - Demo of the mix we're using
20:20 - The arguments for HPFs in the extreme lows
29:47 - The phase shift problem with HPFs
37:33 - Proper sidechaining reduces the phase shift problem
41:29 - The sub note unevenness problem with HPFs
57:28 - An HPF doesn't always increase headroom
1:02:55 - The better way to fix "Rumble below 30 Hz"
Warren Huart - Don't be afraid to high pass OTHER tracks (that aren't in the low end): youtu.be/JOexEz0bOG8?t=1131
David Gnozzi - Cutting highs/lows in mastering: youtu.be/vk2GQEfrKuk
David Gnozzi - Don't cut lows on the sides: youtu.be/5tGpNAC1x2Q?t=691
David Gnozzi - Detailed demo of "the bell trick": youtu.be/mZWQtjJXrEk
BONUS LINK - I didn't mention this in the video, but here's an extremely well-written article from iZotope that reinforces and agrees with nearly personal viewpoint I've asserted in this video:
izotope.com/en/learn/6-ways-to-use-a-high-pass-filter-when-mixing.html
Find all of the "Mixing LOUD with CTZ" episodes in one convenient playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxik-POfUXY6i_fP0f4qXNwdMxh3PXxJx
Wondering what the CTZ Strategy is? Start with this short 17-page written guide. Find it here at docs.google.com/document/d/1Ogxa5-X_QdbtfLLQ_2mDEgPgHxNRLebQ7pps3rXewPM/edit?usp=sharing)
This is NOT paid promotion. All the tools you'll see me using or hear me mention were paid for by myself. These are just great tools that I use every day, and that I personally endorse.
If you enjoyed this video, please do me a solid and not only like the video (and subscribe to my channel), but also give me a follow on my TWO different artist accounts on Spotify! Thanks!
Baphometrix: open.spotify.com/artist/6OvuAOnVItgHAD1yuCRU8a
DubSkald: open.spotify.com/artist/5CuK2JuI8RmXjJ8ZQBOHQC
soundcloud.com/baphometrix
================
Big shoutout to niico for the amazing credit reel graphics!
Did you know that niico is also a great producer? Check out their work at:
beatstars.com/niicolondon
================
Credit reel graphics: beatstars.com/niicolondon
Credit reel music: Baphometrix
In this video, I explain and demonstrate some important considerations about whether you should put a high-pass filter on your sounds that own the low end in your mix. Specifically, whether you should do this on your kick and sub tracks. This is episode 17 in a series about how to mix for loudness, in large part by using a specific approach to gainstaging and dynamic range control that I call the "Clip-to-Zero (CTZ) strategy".
0:00 - In this video
6:05 - Why you should *not* HPF your mixbus or master
12:36 - Don't HPF the extreme lows if you can't hear a problem
14:29 - Demo of the mix we're using
20:20 - The arguments for HPFs in the extreme lows
29:47 - The phase shift problem with HPFs
37:33 - Proper sidechaining reduces the phase shift problem
41:29 - The sub note unevenness problem with HPFs
57:28 - An HPF doesn't always increase headroom
1:02:55 - The better way to fix "Rumble below 30 Hz"
Warren Huart - Don't be afraid to high pass OTHER tracks (that aren't in the low end): youtu.be/JOexEz0bOG8?t=1131
David Gnozzi - Cutting highs/lows in mastering: youtu.be/vk2GQEfrKuk
David Gnozzi - Don't cut lows on the sides: youtu.be/5tGpNAC1x2Q?t=691
David Gnozzi - Detailed demo of "the bell trick": youtu.be/mZWQtjJXrEk
BONUS LINK - I didn't mention this in the video, but here's an extremely well-written article from iZotope that reinforces and agrees with nearly personal viewpoint I've asserted in this video:
izotope.com/en/learn/6-ways-to-use-a-high-pass-filter-when-mixing.html
Find all of the "Mixing LOUD with CTZ" episodes in one convenient playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxik-POfUXY6i_fP0f4qXNwdMxh3PXxJx
Wondering what the CTZ Strategy is? Start with this short 17-page written guide. Find it here at docs.google.com/document/d/1Ogxa5-X_QdbtfLLQ_2mDEgPgHxNRLebQ7pps3rXewPM/edit?usp=sharing)
This is NOT paid promotion. All the tools you'll see me using or hear me mention were paid for by myself. These are just great tools that I use every day, and that I personally endorse.
If you enjoyed this video, please do me a solid and not only like the video (and subscribe to my channel), but also give me a follow on my TWO different artist accounts on Spotify! Thanks!
Baphometrix: open.spotify.com/artist/6OvuAOnVItgHAD1yuCRU8a
DubSkald: open.spotify.com/artist/5CuK2JuI8RmXjJ8ZQBOHQC
soundcloud.com/baphometrix
================
Big shoutout to niico for the amazing credit reel graphics!
Did you know that niico is also a great producer? Check out their work at:
beatstars.com/niicolondon
================
Credit reel graphics: beatstars.com/niicolondon
Credit reel music: Baphometrix
