How to EQ the master bus

Master bus EQ is about polish, not problem-solving.

Updated 2026-05-03

Short answer

Master bus EQ is about polish, not problem-solving. Use small wide moves: high-pass at 25Hz, lift 1dB at 80Hz, cut 1dB at 350Hz, add a 1.5dB shelf at 12kHz. If you need more than 2dB anywhere on the master, fix it on a channel instead.

High-pass: 25Hz, 12dB/oct slope (or skip if mix is already clean)
Boost: 80Hz, +1dB, Q 0.7, gentle low-end weight
Cut: 350Hz, −1dB, Q 1.0, clears low-mid build-up
Boost: 12kHz shelf, +1.5dB, polish and air

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High-pass at 25Hz (or skip)

If your individual channels are already high-passed, the master probably doesn't need one. If you hear sub-rumble or your meters show heavy 20–30Hz energy, add a gentle 12dB/oct high-pass at 25Hz. Never go higher than 30Hz on the master, you'll lose the kick.

Lift 80Hz for low-end weight

A 0.5–1.5dB boost at 80Hz with a wide Q (0.7) adds weight to the low end without overpowering. Use this only if the mix feels thin, most modern mixes already have enough low end and don't need a boost here.

Cut 350Hz to clear build-up

When dozens of channels are summed, the 300–500Hz range piles up. A 0.5–1.5dB cut at 350Hz with a wide Q opens the mix without thinning anything specific. This is the single most common master EQ move on cluttered mixes.

Top shelf for air

A 1–2dB shelf at 10–14kHz adds the polished, mastered feeling. Pair with mastering saturation for the expensive sound. Don't push past 3dB, the limiter will amplify any harshness you introduce here. If your mix already feels bright, skip this entirely.

Frequently asked

Should I EQ the master bus?

Only if it adds polish. Master EQ is for tone shaping, not problem solving. Keep moves under 2dB and use wide Qs (0.7–1.0). If you find yourself making bigger moves, the issue is in the mix, go fix the channel.

What is the best EQ for mastering?

A linear-phase EQ with surgical filters and high resolution. Pro Q4, Ozone EQ, or any EQ that won't introduce phase shift on broadband moves. The plugin matters less than the moves, small, wide, and few.

Should master EQ go before or after the limiter?

Before. The limiter should always be the last thing in the chain. A typical mastering chain: corrective EQ → multiband compression (optional) → bus compression (optional) → tonal EQ → saturation → limiter.

Why does my master sound muddy?

Most likely too much energy at 200–500Hz from individual channels piling up. Cut 0.5–1.5dB at 350Hz with a wide Q on the master. If that's not enough, the mix needs work, high-pass more channels and cut mud on bass, vocals, and guitars individually.

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