How to EQ a piano

For most pianos, high-pass at 50Hz, cut 2dB at 250Hz to remove low-mid mud, dip 1.

Updated 2026-05-03

Short answer

For most pianos, high-pass at 50Hz, cut 2dB at 250Hz to remove low-mid mud, dip 1.5dB at 800Hz to clear boxiness, add 1.5dB at 6kHz for hammer attack, and shelf 2dB above 12kHz for air. Solo piano needs less cutting than piano in a band mix.

High-pass: 50Hz, 12dB/oct slope (skip for solo piano)
Cut: 250Hz, −2dB, Q 1.4, clears mud
Cut: 800Hz, −1.5dB, Q 2.0, removes boxiness
Boost: 6kHz, +1.5dB, Q 1.0, hammer attack
Boost: 12kHz shelf, +2dB, sparkle and air

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High-pass at 50Hz (or skip)

Piano fundamentals reach down to 27Hz (lowest A0) but most music never plays those notes. In a band mix, high-pass at 50Hz to make room for kick and bass. For solo piano or jazz trios where the piano IS the foundation, skip the high-pass entirely.

Cut 250Hz to clear mud

Pianos have natural resonance at 200–400Hz from the soundboard. In a mix this clashes with vocals and guitars. A 2–3dB cut at 250Hz with a moderate Q (1.4) opens the piano without thinning the body. For solo piano, leave this region alone.

Dip 800Hz for boxiness

Close-mic'd pianos often have a boxy character around 600–900Hz. A 1.5–2.5dB cut at 800Hz with a narrow Q (2.0) opens the sound. If the piano was recorded with a single mic over the hammers, this cut is almost always needed.

Add hammer attack at 6kHz

The mechanical attack of the hammers hitting the strings lives at 5–8kHz. A 1–2dB boost at 6kHz with a wide Q brings out rhythmic articulation, especially for staccato playing. Skip this on legato ballads where you want a softer feel.

Top shelf for air

A 2–3dB shelf above 10kHz adds the polished, expensive sparkle. Most piano libraries already have plenty of top end, listen first. If the piano sounds dull, push to 12kHz with +3dB. If it already feels bright, skip this entirely.

Frequently asked

What frequency is a piano?

Piano spans the widest frequency range of any instrument, 27Hz (A0) to 4.2kHz (C8) for fundamentals, with harmonics extending past 15kHz. Most musical content sits in the 60Hz–2kHz range; the brilliance and air come from harmonics at 4–14kHz.

Why does my piano sound muddy in a mix?

Excess energy at 200–400Hz competing with vocals, guitars, and bass. Cut 2–3dB at 250Hz on the piano. Also high-pass at 50Hz to remove sub rumble that compounds the muddiness.

How do I make a piano sit with vocals?

Vocals own 250Hz–4kHz. On the piano, dip 1–2dB at 2–3kHz where vocal presence lives. Pan the piano slightly off-center (10–20%) to free the vocal's space. Volume-automate the piano down during vocal phrases if needed.

Should I EQ piano before or after reverb?

EQ before reverb so the reverb reacts to a clean signal. If the reverb makes the piano muddy, EQ the reverb return, high-pass it at 200Hz so it doesn't add low-mid energy back into the mix.

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