Should I cut low end on the sides when mastering?
Q&A
Jan 26, 2026
Cutting low end on the sides when mastering is one of the first things I do when someone sends me a track, and it's the best way to make your sub and all your low-end information punch through. I like to do a low cut on the sides at around 160 Hz on almost every single thing because when you see more side signal than mono signal in your low end on a spectral analyzer, that often indicates phasing, which is really bad. This simple fix using midside EQ works every time and keeps your correlation meter in the healthy stereo field range.
Post adapted from the video below:
At Futureproof Music School, I teach these essential mastering techniques in depth, and you can get instant feedback on your mixes by uploading them to Kadence (Futureproof's AI music coach) for real-time analysis of balance, EQ, compression, and stereo imaging issues.
Dubstep pioneer and touring artist with millions of streams. Known for his heavy bass drops and intricate sound design, Max has released on major labels and performed at festivals worldwide.