Highs

Highs Setting in Cryo Mix

TL;DR: The Highs setting in Cryo Mix controls how bright or dark your sound is. Turn it up for clarity and sparkle, turn it down for a smoother, warmer tone.

The Highs control adjusts the top-end brightness of your audio - helping vocals and instruments feel more clear, present, and detailed.

• Increase Highs to add clarity, “sparkle,” and top-end presence so key parts cut through the mix.
• Decrease Highs to soften the top end for a darker, smoother sound that’s easier on the ears.

Highs mainly affects upper-frequency details like:

• Vocal clarity and sibilance (“s” sounds)
• Cymbals, hi-hats, shakers, claps
• Acoustic guitar shimmer, synth “air,” and overall sheen

Highs vs Air: If Air is a subtle sheen, Highs is usually more direct and immediately audible.

Goal: Make important elements sound clear and present without becoming harsh or fatiguing.

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When to use Highs

Use the Highs slider when your mix feels:

• Too dull or muffled (like it’s “under a blanket”)
• Vocals or lead instruments don’t stand out
• Too dark after recording in a warm/bass-heavy room
• Missing modern polish and top-end definition

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Common use cases

Vocals

• Raise Highs to improve intelligibility and help vocals sit on top of the beat.
• Lower Highs if vocals sound sharp, hissy, or tiring to listen to.

Guitars, pianos, synths

• Raise Highs to bring out pick attack, key noise, and presence.
• Lower Highs to tame brittle acoustics, harsh pianos, or piercing synth leads.

Drums & percussion

• Raise Highs for livelier hats, cymbals, shakers, and claps.
• Lower Highs if cymbals/hats feel harsh or “in your face.”

Full mix / master

• Small increase: brighter, more open overall sound
• Small decrease: warmer, smoother, more vintage/lo-fi vibe

Tip: Start with subtle moves - small changes in Highs can dramatically change how “modern” or “warm” your track feels.

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How to dial it in quickly

1. Play your chorus (or the busiest section).
2. Increase Highs slightly until clarity improves.
3. If it starts feeling sharp, back off until it’s clear but comfortable.
4. A/B often to avoid over-brightening.

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Pro tips & creative uses

• Modern clarity (without harshness): A small Highs boost can make vocals/leads jump out of the speakers.

• Pair with EQ Correction: Use EQ Correction first to clean up problematic frequencies, then use Highs for controlled brightness.

• Match the genre vibe:

  • Pop / EDM / Trap: slightly higher Highs for crisp transients and shine
  • Lo-fi / Indie / Jazz: slightly lower Highs for warmth and softness

• Create contrast between sections: more Highs in choruses, slightly less in verses for intimacy.

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Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

Mistake 1: The mix sounds harsh, sharp, or fatiguing

What’s happening: Highs is set too high (and possibly other brightness tools too). Fix: Lower Highs until sibilance and cymbals feel smoother. If needed, reduce Air as well.

Mistake 2: Vocals or instruments sound thin and “crispy”

What’s happening: Too much Highs without enough body. Fix: Pull Highs back slightly. If available, balance with a touch of Mids or Lows.

Mistake 3: The mix sounds dull or muffled

What’s happening: Highs is too low (or the recording is very dark). Fix: Gently increase Highs until vocals and key instruments become clearer - then stop before it turns brittle.

Mistake 4: Boosting Highs to fix a bad recording

What’s happening: Brightness can’t fully fix clipping, noise, or poor mic placement. Fix: Use EQ Correction first and improve the source if possible. Use Highs as final tone shaping, not a band-aid.

Mistake 5: The master sounds piercing on phones/earbuds

What’s happening: Too much top end on the full mix. Fix: Reduce Highs slightly and test on earbuds, phone speakers, and car speakers.