Mixing & Mastering Tip #187 ·

How to use the heatmap view in MAutoDynamicEQ to find resonances

If you’re using MAutoDynamicEQ (or any other multiband Melda plugin) like me, you already know I love this tool. It’s clean, powerful and fun to use.

But here’s a hidden gem most people miss.

The spectrum analyzer hack

By default, the plugin shows you the usual frequency analyzer. Super useful, no doubt. But if you want surgical-level precision (find-the-nastiest-resonance-in-the-room type of precision), you have to switch it up.

Enable the “heatmap” view inside the analyzer.

It flips the standard sonogram display into an energy heatmap. Basically, it shows you where the energy is building up across the spectrum, in real time.

MAutoDynamicEQ sonogram heatmap showing energy build-up behind six dynamic EQ bands

This view is especially useful when:

  • You’re trying to track down harsh resonances
  • You need to scan the energy in the low end
  • You’re removing boominess or muddiness (looking at you, 200-500 Hz)

It gives you a clear visual of the energy distribution, so you’re not just guessing or relying only on your ears in tricky mixes.

I built a custom preset where this heatmap is the default view, so it’s there every time I open the plugin.

MAutoDynamicEQ analyzer Settings button highlighted next to the Sonogram toggle

MAutoDynamicEQ analyzer main settings with normalize on, 300 ms averaging and +3.38 dB slope

MAutoDynamicEQ analyzer advanced settings with 4x overlap, Hann window and 4096 FFT size

MAutoDynamicEQ analyzer graphs tab with Average enabled, peaks and micro-sonogram ticked

Don’t rely on visuals too much

Use your ears first. The heatmap just helps confirm what you’re already hearing. If you chase colors blindly, you’ll end up EQing out all the vibe.

Want this on your own track?

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