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I wanted to talk about some common audio production trends like always using low cuts, obsessing over side-chaining, or putting resonance removers on everything.

These rules are often taken out of context and don’t always apply; every mix is different and you have to make decisions based on what actually serves the sound.

There’s no universal process that works for all situations, and sometimes the techniques people are warning against can actually solve specific problems if you know why and when to use them.

Good production is really about listening, understanding the issue, and solving it in a way that makes sense for your track.

Avoid following production trends blindly; there is no universal rule for processes like low-cut, side-chaining, or resonance removal.

Low-cut filters have been both overused and misunderstood; the idea that they always ruin phase is false, as context and intent matter.

Side-chaining, while useful, gets unnecessarily complicated by beginners who may obsess over minor details that are not always relevant to their actual mix.

Removing all resonances with tools like Soothe can strip the unique character from sounds, leading to dull and lifeless audio.

Audio processing choices should be made in context; always listen and respond to your mix’s specific needs instead of rigidly applying generic solutions.

Theoretical phase cancellation problems between kick and bass are rare and often require artificially constructed scenarios to even become an issue.

Linear phase EQ introduces latency and pre-ringing artifacts, which can degrade drum sounds; zero-latency EQ with phase shift may actually help align elements when needed.

Most phase alignment and resonance problems come from multi-microphone recordings, not electronic music producers or home studio users.

Don’t fix what isn’t broken; always prioritize listening and problem-solving over applying default fixes or trendy solutions.

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Is Your Obsession with Phase Ruining Your Sound?

In this video, we debunk the current trend in audio production that claims you should "never add a low cut" (high-pass filter) to your sounds because it ruins the phase. While intended to help, this advice often ignores context. We dive into why music production is about problem-solving rather than applying static rules. You’ll see a practical demonstration of how the phase shift introduced by a standard EQ low cut can actually be used as a tool to align your kick and bass, rather than destroy them. We also touch on other common obsessions, like over-sidechaining and removing every single resonance - and explain why Linear Phase EQ might actually be making your drums sound worse, not better. 00:00 – Intro: The "Never Low Cut" Trend. 00:18 – The obsession with Sidechaining. 00:40 – The "Soothe" Trap: Why removing all resonances removes the sound. 01:00 – Why static production rules (always/never) usually fail. 01:24 – Production is problem-solving: Context is King. 02:00 – The "Kick vs. Bass" Phase Cancellation (A constructed scenario). 02:40 – Why Kick/Bass phase issues are rarer than tutorials imply. 05:40 – Demonstrating natural phase misalignment (and why it’s okay). 06:35 – The Trick: Using a Low Cut to FIX phase alignment. 08:20 – The trade-off: Slight loudness loss vs. Phase cohesion. 09:40 – The benefits of Zero Latency EQ. 10:15 – Why you should avoid Linear Phase EQ on drums (Pre-ringing & Artifacts). 12:30 – Where these myths come from (Multi-mic recording vs. Electronic production). 14:15 – Conclusion: Listen first, don't fix what isn't broken Video transcribed, summarized and Q&A on my Blog (no ads): -- 💕 Support me on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3PgbxZz 💰 donate via Paypal: https://bit.ly/3cae9t8 🎧 my Music: https://polarity.bandcamp.com/ 💾 my Tools: https://polarity.me/posts/articles/2024-08-04-polarity-tools/ 💻 my Gear: https://kit.co/polarity/polarity-music-kit 👉 Discord: https://discord.gg/eWwFBww 👉 Website: https://polarity.me -- 🛒 Buy/Upgrade Bitwig Studio & Support me https://bit.ly/3yQEyDU 🛒 VST/AU Plugin Deals https://bit.ly/3zcvo66

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