We’ve all had those moments in a mix where things start to feel dull and unclear after a point. Instead of reaching for the high shelf EQ to try and bring some sparkle back into your mix, you first need to take a look lower down the frequency range. In this article, we will discuss muddy and boxy mixes, how you can identify them, and how to fix them. Spoiler alert…it’s really easy to fix all these issues with our Techivation M-Clarity plugin, but we will get to that.

Have you ever had someone call your mix “muddy” or “boxy”? Well, it doesn’t feel great, not that anyone has ever said that to me… Anyway, as you build a track, muddiness and boxiness can be quite a common issue. These words are very subjective, but it’s generally agreed that muddiness can be found around 200Hz and causes a murky, dull and indistinct sound in your mix, whereas boxiness can be described as imparting a hollow, confined or “boxy” quality to your sound, found in the 200-500Hz frequency range.

You might find individual elements have the same unclear and muffled quality, and if you have enough of those elements with these issues, that is one of the quickest ways to a muddy mix. Here is an isolated example of a boxy sound, hear how the frequencies are building up in the lower mids, and preventing you from hearing the details in the track.

There are a few reasons for muddy and boxy tracks. A big culprit is poor recording quality, whether microphone choice, microphone placement or the acoustics of the room. This is why it is key to train your critical listening and try to capture everything correctly at source, it’ll save you the headache down the line!

Another cause of muddiness and boxiness can be to do with your mixing workflow, by overusing certain plugins you can add phase issues as well as cluttering the mix with reverbs and time-based effects.

It could also be simply having too much going on in that area of your mix, which is a difficult one, because a lot of the important elements of a track can be found in the 200-500Hz frequency range, such as kick, snare, bass guitar, vocals etc. So short of re-arranging the entire track how do we fix that?

So we’ve already established that the cause is down to the frequencies in the audio, so naturally the solution would be to EQ it, right? That is one way of doing it, reducing the presence of the problematic frequencies on the tracks that are causing issues. This, however, is not hugely accurate, as changes in the notes (something that tends to happen in music…) will result in the EQ curve not attenuating the correct frequencies anymore unless you have a very wide band.


Alternatively, you could use Dynamic EQs or multiband compressors. These tools will give you higher levels of accuracy, by only reducing the frequencies when they are present in the signal. However, these plugins can often be a bit of a pain to configure, with unhelpfully complicated windows and tons of settings that all need to be dialled in correctly to have even a hope of improving your sound. These plugins could even degrade your sound quality by creating phasing issues. If only there was something better…

This is where the Techivation M-Clarity plugin comes in! This plugin has been specifically designed to suppress any sound's unwanted muddy, boxy, and harsh frequencies and resonances. It uses a unique spectral shaping algorithm to accurately detect and remove the troublesome frequencies, much better than relying on wideband EQ, and it’s incredibly simple to use, so much better than a multiband compressor or dynamic EQ.

Listen to how the guitar example sounds after having M-Clarity put on it, targeting the low mid frequencies. You can hear how it removes the resonance and (as the name suggests) boosts clarity overall in the sound, and to top it all off, the resulting sound is artefact-free due to the spectral processing.

By first selecting the frequency range you’d like for M-Clarity to tackle, you then simply need to adjust the Suppression control to adjust how much the targeted frequencies are reduced, along with the intensity and focus controls which affect how hard or gentle M-Clarity goes after any resonant peaks in your signal.

Here is an example of an element causing issues in the context of a mix. Here we have a hip-hop beat, piano and cello, and already the mix is sounding a bit muddy. The piano seems to be the culprit with some resonances in the low mids, however, if we apply an M-Clarity plugin across the mix bus, dialling in the problematic frequencies, you can hear how those frequencies are cleaned up, and overall everything becomes clearer. So you can see that M-Clarity works on individual elements as well as groups if applied over an aux bus.

Muddiness and boxiness can be a big source of headaches when mixing, and while every effort should be given to solve the issue at the source, sometimes you need to “fix it in the mix”. Going down that route, why not make it easy on yourself? Give M-Clarity a go and spend the time you would have spent dialling in EQ and multiband settings being creative with your mixes.

If you want to hear more examples of M-Clarity at work then head to the product page. You can also try it out for 14 days for free, so go and give it a go and say goodbye to muddy and boxy mixes!

Discover how easy it is to fix boxiness and muddiness issues using Techivation M-Clarity.

How to eliminate boxiness and muddiness in your mixes using M-Clarity

In 2021, Techivation was born with the release of the <a href="/t-de-esser/">T-De-Esser</a> free plug-in, which quickly became the go-to de-esser plug-in for many sound engineers. Following that success, premium Techivation plug-ins emerged, including the T-De-Esser Pro. This advanced version of the T-De-Esser free plug-in offers new features such as lookahead, oversampling, and mid-side processing.

Throughout 2021 and 2022, we worked hard to develop more effective and innovative audio processing tools. During this time, we released several additional T series plug-ins, including <a href="/t-exciter/">T-Exciter</a>, <a href="/t-warmer/">T-Warmer</a>, <a href="/t-compressor/">T-Compressor</a>, and more.

Techivation team is deeply committed to technology and innovation, constantly brainstorming new solutions and improvements. Following the release of several T series plug-ins throughout 2021 and 2022, we received valuable user feedback that guided us in shaping a new series of plug-ins, setting higher standards and aiming for greater objectives.

That's when we decided to introduce the Techivation M series product line. The 'M' in the M series stands for 'Mastering,' although these plug-ins are designed for use across all audio mixing, editing, and mastering processes. The 'Mastering' standards in the name reflect our commitment to ensuring quality and accuracy in all aspects of audio production.

The technology and DSP algorithms in M series plug-ins have been significantly upgraded and refined compared to the T series. Thanks to valuable feedback and the new experiences gained from providing users with innovative tools, we have achieved a higher level of plug-in development with the M series

Some of the Techivation M series plug-ins can be categorized similarly to certain T series plug-ins, like M-De-Esser compared to T-De-Esser or M-Compressor compared to T-Compressor. However, the M series also introduces new types of processors that belong to distinct categories, such as <a href="/m-loudener/">M-Loudener</a> and <a href="/m-blender/">M-Blender</a>.

M-Loudener: The M-Loudener is the first developed M series plug-in. It is a Dynamic Range Enhancer, and what we describe as “The ultimate tool for increasing loudness while preserving dynamic range and clarity”.

While there is no similar audio processor found in the T series, users quickly noticed the difference in accuracy and sound quality when using the M-Loudener compared to the T series.

Now, don’t get us wrong, we believe that the T series plug-ins still set the standard for audio quality in the market today. However, why not push the boundaries even further if we have the opportunity?

M-Blender: The M-Blender is another audio plug-in that belongs to a distinct category compared to any T series plug-ins. It's an innovative tool designed to create space in a mix by resolving clashing frequencies between tracks. Developed with even higher standards and cutting-edge technologies than the T series plug-ins, especially when combined with our unique true spectral processing algorithm, it offers a completely new experience in opening up space between tracks in a mix.

<a href="/m-blender/">Try it out</a> yourself!

We've enhanced our attention to detail in creating the M series plug-ins, utilizing new technologies and developing more advanced audio processing algorithms to achieve higher sound quality.

So when it comes to making a comparison between the T-De-Esser Pro and the M-De-Esser, we assure you, that the M-De-Esser is at a whole new level.

By adding extra accuracy, we mean to make the plug-ins more adaptable to type of the sound you’re using the plug-ins for. For example, if you want to apply de-essing to a drum snare hit, there’s a chance that you end up with not the perfect result you’re after, due to several reasons, which could be room acoustic treatment issues, your ears being tired after working long hours, the studio monitors and headphones problems, and so on. So with our accurate spectral processing algorithm in M-De-Esser for instance, the plug-in helps to operate accurately to only transparently eliminate the harsh, and sibilance sounds from the track you’re working on, giving you the result that you actually want.

This also saves time and opens extra room for creativity. Many audio processing tools are solutions for problems, and de-esser is one of those. So you don’t want to spend long hours just to fix a harshness problem in a sound, rather you wanna get it sorted quickly and move into your next unique idea for your mix, and the M series plug-ins make it easy for that by quickly giving you the result you’re after, due to their high accuracy.

In some cases, we've intentionally reduced the number of features in our M series plug-ins. Take, for example, the T-De-Esser Pro, which appears to offer more controls and features compared to the M-De-Esser. Despite this, we maintain that the M-De-Esser is of a higher calibre, thanks to the implementation of newer technologies. One such advancement is the true spectral shaping algorithm found in the M-De-Esser. While the T-De-Esser Pro boasts oversampling up to 16X, the M-De-Esser achieves superb sound quality without the need for oversampling.

Its algorithm is designed to deliver higher sound quality than 16X oversampling, while not requiring to oversample its processing at all. Or there is no ‘Lookahead’ feature available in the M-De-Esser, whereas you see it in the T-De-Esser Pro. That is because the spectral processing algorithm responds to inputs with precise timing and has no need for a ‘Lookahead’ feature.

Think of it like the cockpits of airplanes in the 1960s and 1970s, which used to have numerous buttons and knobs, sometimes even requiring a flight engineer to manage certain tasks. Today, there are fewer controls as many functions have become automated and are managed by the airplane’s computer system, resulting in greater accuracy.

<h3>A better user experience, and look</h3>

After releasing more T series plug-ins we learned from our users what they like about them and what they don’t. We tried to focus on what they liked more and improve them in the M series.

In the M series plug-ins, we revamped the GUI (graphic user interface) style and design to enhance the user experience. This involved simplifying the interface and reducing distractions, with only essential controls placed strategically for easy access.

Furthermore, we improved the stability of the GUI functionalities and ensured a flawless registration system. Additionally, we optimized the CPU usage of the GUIs significantly and introduced more GUI sizes to accommodate different monitor sizes.

We will continue to closely monitor our users' perspectives and develop additional products aimed at enhancing and streamlining their work processes. In summary, users now express greater confidence in our M series plug-ins, and we are delighted about this outcome.

Feel free to activate a 14-day free trial for any of our plug-ins today, and you are always welcome to contact us with your valuable feedback.

Written by Amin Asbaghipour
- Techivation Founder

Discover what makes the M series plug-ins superior.

The Differences Between the Techivation T Series and M Series Plug-ins

It could be argued that vocals are the most important element of any song. After all, the song’s meaning and the emotion behind the lyrics come out through the vocal performance. A poorly produced vocal can break a song, so in this article, we will explore one aspect of vocal production that can cause a distraction if not carefully controlled, and that is sibilance!

Sibilance refers to the high-pitched, hissing sounds produced when pronouncing certain consonants like “s”', “sh”, and “ch”. While sibilance is a natural aspect of speech and language, excessive sibilance in vocal recordings can cause a very harsh, piercing sound and become a distraction. These harsh-sounding frequencies live between around 4KHz - 10KHz and can change in frequency and volume depending on the singer, and the way the vocals are recorded.

Here is an example of a fairly sibilant vocal, listen out for the harshness in the word “Lovers” at the end. It gives a short and sharp “s” sound that sticks out from the rest of the vocal.

In an ideal situation, you would want to prevent the harsh sibilances from being picked up in the first place, which can be achieved by altering the microphone placement in front of the singer. The aim is to prevent the bursts of high-frequency content from directly hitting the microphone capsule. By moving the mic off to the side of the singer, or even hanging it slightly above them, pointing towards their mouth, you can help reduce the harshness of sibilances (it can also go a long way to prevent plosives - explosive bursts of air when singing “p”s and “b”s). Sometimes, however, the damage has already been done, and for whatever reason, you are stuck with a sibilant recording, so what now?

The first thing that might come to mind is using a graphic or parametric EQ to reduce the harsh-sounding frequencies. However, this can make your track sound dull and even affect vocal intelligibility (which we want to avoid at all costs!). Hear how in the following example the “s” of “lovers” has been tamed, but now the whole top end of the vocal sounds dull and lifeless.

Here is where the de-esser comes in! De-essers work by detecting and attenuating specific frequencies associated with sibilance in vocal recordings. They typically use a combination of filtering and dynamic processing techniques to achieve this.

First, you need to select the frequencies that correspond to sibilance, this is usually done using a band-pass filter, typically between 3 kHz and 10 kHz. Once the sibilant frequencies are selected, the de-esser applies dynamic processing to reduce their level when they exceed a certain threshold. This is often accomplished using a compressor or multiband compressor that is triggered by the sibilant frequencies.

Regular De-essers work fine, but how about something a bit newer and innovative?

Move over regular de-essers… The M-De-esser uses an intelligent detection algorithm that allows it to accurately identify and target sibilant frequencies in vocal recordings. This advanced algorithm enhances the effectiveness of the de-esser by ensuring that only the problematic elements are addressed while preserving the natural character of your audio, reducing the risk of unwanted artefacts or affecting the overall tone of the vocals. 

Let’s hear how M-De-Esser handles the current example:

As you can hear, it takes the harshness out of the “s” while retaining the overall quality and tone of the voice. We will hear how it performs against a regular De-Esser in a more extreme example later.

Sensitivity: The main control is labelled Sensitivity, which adjusts the threshold of spectral compression. This setting is independent of the input level, ensuring consistent performance throughout a track.

Strength: Sensitivity is accompanied by the Strength control, which adjusts the ratio and maximum gain reduction for spectral compression, enabling you to find the perfect balance between reducing harshness and preserving the natural qualities of your audio.

Softness: The Softness control allows you to set the perfect balance between precision and subtlety by controlling the amount of spectral smoothing and the soft knee width of spectral compression.

These are the three main settings to control your de-essing, but there are loads more parameters to further shape your sounds, such as an Air boost control, speed control modes, and a frequency range slider to name a few.

Like many areas of mixing, it’s very easy to go overboard with de-essing. If you focus too hard on reducing the harshness, without taking a step back and listening to the vocal or mix as a whole, you can end up producing some very unnatural-sounding vocals and lots of strange audio artefacts. That being said, if you are using M-De-Esser, you will find it much harder to get it to the point where your audio starts deteriorating due to its spectral shaping technology and accuracy, which means you can really go after difficult sibilance and still retain the overall audio quality!

This example shows more aggressive de-essing, you can hear how with the regular de-esser, you are starting to get some strange-sounding phasing or level changes in moments of sibilance which almost sounds more distracting than the sibilance! Whereas the overall audio quality in the M-De-Esser example is still intact, with the plugin only going after the sibilance.

It’s important to remember that sibilance is a normal part of singing and speech, so we don’t want to remove it completely. If you find yourself going back and forth and struggling to figure out the perfect amount of de-essing, perhaps take a bit of time away from the mix, give your ears a rest, and come back fresh! At the same time, it’s not a bad idea to have some reference material of vocal production you like that you can keep comparing against.

De-essers are an incredibly powerful tool to help prevent harsh sibilances from distracting your listeners, but with its intelligent detection algorithm, we think the Techivation M-De-esser is a cut above the rest. Along with fixing your vocals, M-De-esser is also a brilliant tool for other areas of your work, whether you need to control the high frequencies in a hi-hat, sound effect, dialogue, or anything with high-frequency content.

<a href="/m-de-esser/">Try it</a> now and transform your sound with precision and ease!

A guide to control sibilance in vocal production to avoid distraction.

How to Fix Sibilance in Vocals: A Guide to De-essing

M-De-Esser Walkthrough | Techivation

Watch the Techivation M-De-Esser's walkthrough:The end of the search for the perfect de-esser. Now available!

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