What the High Pass Filter does
TL;DR: The High Pass Filter (HPF) removes unwanted low frequencies below a cutoff point (rumble + mud), so vocals, instruments, and full mixes sound cleaner, tighter, and more defined.
The High Pass Filter in Cryo Mix is a cleanup tool that cuts low frequencies below a chosen cutoff frequency, letting higher frequencies “pass through.”
It’s different from the Lows control:
- Lows turns bass up or down.
- High Pass Filter removes low-end below the cutoff, like a strict barrier.
Use it to reduce:
- room rumble
- AC/traffic noise
- mic handling noise
- unnecessary low-end buildup that makes audio feel muddy or boomy
When to use the High Pass Filter
Use the HPF whenever your audio sounds muddy, boomy, or unclear, especially in the low end.
Vocals & spoken word
- Removes rumble from room noise, plosives (“p/b”), mic handling, and air conditioning
- Helps the voice sit clearer on top of the mix without adding harshness
Guitars, keys, pads & melodic instruments
- Clears low-end these sources usually don’t need
- Leaves more space for kick and bass, so the mix feels less crowded
Drums & percussion
- Overheads / hi-hats / shakers / cymbals: removes low thumps so brightness stays clean
- Snare / toms: a gentle HPF can reduce rumble while keeping punch (don’t overdo it)
Bass & kick (use with care)
- A subtle HPF at very low frequencies can remove sub-rumble most speakers can’t reproduce
- Keep the cutoff very low so you don’t lose weight and impact
Full mix / master bus (very subtle)
- A gentle HPF can tidy up deep sub-rumble (often below ~20–30 Hz)
- Helps avoid unnecessary low-end energy that can cause pumping or distortion downstream
How to set the High Pass Filter (simple method)
- Enable the HPF and start with a low cutoff.
- Slowly raise the cutoff until the rumble/mud clears up.
- Stop as soon as the sound starts losing body, then back off slightly.
- A/B test (toggle HPF on/off) to confirm it’s clearer without sounding thin.
Tip: You can usually be more aggressive on individual tracks than on the full mix.
Pro tips (and a creative trick)
Create space for kick and bass
High-pass most non-bass elements (guitars, keys, pads, FX, backing vocals) so kick + bass have their own low-end territory. This is one of the fastest ways to fix a muddy mix.
Subtle on the master, stronger on tracks
- Master bus: keep it subtle and low to avoid thinning the whole song
- Tracks: you can cut higher on bright sources with little useful low-end
Shape “air vs body” with other Cryo Mix controls
A clean workflow:
- Use HPF to remove useless rumble
- Then adjust Lows / low-shelf to add intentional weight
- Use Highs / Air for clarity without extra boom
Creative automation idea
Raise the HPF cutoff during an intro/build, then drop it back for the drop - making the drop feel heavier when the low-end returns.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
Mistake 1: The sound becomes thin or weak
Cause: cutoff is too high, removing too much body.
Fix: lower the cutoff until warmth returns. Be extra conservative on kick and bass.
Mistake 2: The mix is still muddy
Cause: cutoff is too low, or not enough tracks are cleaned up.
Fix: raise the cutoff slightly on non-bass tracks and reduce low-mid buildup (often 200–400 Hz) if needed.
Mistake 3: High-passing everything without listening
Cause: “set and forget.”
Fix: only use HPF where it improves clarity. Always A/B test.
Mistake 4: Cutting important low-end on kick and bass
Cause: treating bass-heavy tracks like regular instruments.
Fix: keep HPF very low (or off) and adjust while listening on good speakers/headphones.
FAQ
Does the High Pass Filter reduce bass?
Yes, below the cutoff frequency. The goal is removing unwanted low-end, not deleting punch.
Should I use a High Pass Filter on the master?
Only subtly, and only if you hear/see sub-rumble. Too much will thin the entire mix.
Why does my track feel brighter after using HPF?
Removing low-end can make highs feel more exposed. Lower the cutoff slightly if it feels too lean, and avoid compensating by over-boosting highs.