In beatmaking and music production, Hertz (Hz) is a unit of measurement for frequency, specifically the number of cycles per second in a sound wave. Understanding Hertz is crucial for producers and beatmakers as it relates to several important aspects of music creation:
- Pitch and Notes
Hertz directly corresponds to musical pitch. For example:
- 440 Hz is the standard tuning frequency for the note A4
- Lower frequencies (e.g., 100 Hz) produce bass sounds
- Higher frequencies (e.g., 5000 Hz) produce treble sounds
- EQ and Mixing
Beatmakers use Hertz when adjusting equalization (EQ) to shape the frequency content of sounds:
- Sub-bass: 20-60 Hz
- Bass: 60-250 Hz
- Low-mids: 250-500 Hz
- Mids: 500-2000 Hz
- High-mids: 2000-4000 Hz
- Highs: 4000-20000 Hz
- Sound Design
When creating or modifying sounds, producers often work with oscillators and filters, which are set and adjusted using Hertz. - Tempo and Rhythm
While not directly related to Hertz, tempo in music (measured in beats per minute or BPM) can be thought of as a very low-frequency rhythm. - Audio Equipment Specifications
Speakers, headphones, and microphones often list their frequency response range in Hertz (e.g., 20 Hz – 20 kHz).
Understanding Hertz helps beatmakers create well-balanced tracks, avoid frequency masking between instruments, and craft sounds that fit well within a mix. It’s an essential concept for anyone working in music production and sound engineering.