Delay making your mix muddy? High-pass it at 300 Hz

A delay repeats everything it gets, low end included. All those low repeats pile up under the vocal or melody and turn into mud. Put the delay on a send and high-pass the delay itself at about 300 Hz (and roll off the very top if it's harsh). The dry sound keeps its body and the echoes stay light and clear.

How to do it

1. Put the delay on a send or aux track, set to 100% wet.
2. Add an EQ after the delay on that track.
3. High-pass it at about 300 Hz. Go higher for a busy mix.
4. Low-pass it around 6 to 8 kHz if the echoes sound harsh.
5. Leave the dry vocal or melody alone: only the echoes get filtered.

Why it works

The low end is where a mix fills up fastest. Echoes don't need it to be heard, so taking it away gives you the same sense of space without the mud.