Quentin "Q" Gilkey breaks down a pop mix for Jack Newsom, showing how he made room for the lead vocal without touching the EQ.
The muted guitar sounded great but was too centered, crowding the spot where the vocal needed to sit. Instead of carving it out with EQ, Q reached for Waves Center and pulled the center channel down about 3dB while leaving the sides untouched.
That small mid-side move opens a little valley right where the vocal lives, adding width to the guitar without thinning it out or losing its punch.
He also runs the guitar through a SansAmp for a bit of grit and edge, a reminder that when the production and performance are already strong, small, targeted moves beat heavy processing.
