Both of them are cut at lows ~250Hz using low shelf filter and mid (2000Hz). The primary reason of cutting the lows using a low shelf setting is to remove the bass components of the electric guitar because it conflicts with the more important bass sounds like the kick drum or the bass guitar.
The reason why 2000Hz is cut is to make a hole for the vocals to properly sit in the mix(not needed for instrumental music). Also for rhythm guitars; it is cut at high frequency (5000Hz) using a high shelf to remove sibilance with the string strumming.
However for solo guitar, it is important to shine them on the mix, so it’s boosted. Take note that this setting does not apply to every clean guitar mix and use your ears always.
Applying Reverb on the Clean Guitar
I only apply reverb on the guitars that are panned at the hard left and hard right. While I do not put reverb on the rhythm guitars which are panned somewhat nearer to the center. This will create a nice stereo effect on the guitars because the solo guitars have some nice ambiance and reverberation while the rhythm guitar provides a steady dry rhythm.
In the tutorial on how to apply reverb on the mix, the reverberation will usually go up as it goes farther from the center in the stereo field. This concept is also applicable when applying reverb on the guitar.
One of my favorite clean guitar reverb is Waves TrueVerb using Rock Guitar room preset:
True Verb setting rock guitar room
This is the sample guitar mp3 mixed using the above techniques:
Content last updated on August 5, 2012