6 Ways to Use a Low Pass Filter When Mixing
From a single control, low pass filters give us a great deal of power over the tone and feel of our mix. Get tips for when to employ them in a session and how to listen for telltale signs of over-filtering.
Audio filters are often used to remove specific frequencies and shape the tone of an audio signal. But how do you go about using them effectively in your production? In this tutorial we’re exploring how to use a low-pass filter, a common filter EQ used in mixing that removes high-frequency sounds from an audio signal and can bring clarity to your mix.
Follow along with this tutorial using a free demo of iZotope
Neutron
What is a low-pass filter?
A low-pass filter (also known as a high-cut filter) is a type of audio filter that is used to remove high-frequency sounds from an audio signal. It is called a low-pass filter because it allows low-frequency signals to pass through, while attenuating (reducing the amplitude of) higher-frequency signals. If you’ve been around a DAW, you’ve doubtlessly seen a low-pass filter in the wild.
This is how to set a low-pass filter, demonstrated in iZotope Neutron.
Example of a low-pass filter in Neutron
Don’t want to hear anything above 5 kHz? Add a low-pass filter EQ, and watch the frequencies fall off steeply or sharply, depending on how you tune the filter’s slope, pictured here.