High-Pass vs Low-Pass Filters in Logic Pro
Understand the fundamental tools of EQ to clean up mud and remove harshness from your tracks using Logic Pro's Channel EQ.
Filters are the most powerful tool for creating space in a mix by removing unwanted frequencies. This guide explains when to use High-Pass to clean the bottom and Low-Pass to tame the top.
Follow these steps
Apply a High-Pass Filter (HPF)
Open the Channel EQ and click the High-Pass Filter icon (the curve sloping down to the left). Move the frequency to around 80-100Hz.
Clean up the low end
Use the HPF on almost every track that isn't a Kick or Bass to remove 'mud' and low-end rumble that eats up headroom.
Apply a Low-Pass Filter (LPF)
Click the Low-Pass Filter icon (sloping down to the right). Drag it down from 20kHz to remove unnecessary high-end 'hiss' or brightness.
Fine-tune the slope
Adjust the 'Q' or slope of the filter to determine how sharp the cut is. A gentle slope sounds more natural for most instruments.
Common mistakes
- Setting a High-Pass Filter too high, which can make instruments like guitars sound thin and 'tinny'.
- Using steep filter slopes (like 48dB/oct) which can sometimes cause unnatural sounding phase shifts.