Why does my low end disappear on small speakers?

Your low end disappears on small speakers because the bass only exists as sub energy, and small speakers cannot reproduce that range. Give the bass musical information above the sub zone. Use harmonics, note length, arrangement and kick balance so the listener perceives the low end even when the speaker cannot play it.

"But the sub sounds massive in the studio"

A massive sub in the studio can be invisible outside it. If the bass has no readable information above the deepest octave, a phone has nothing to translate. The listener does not hear your intent. The listener hears what the speaker can reproduce.

What to check first

Mute the sub-heavy processing for a moment and listen on one small speaker. Then add audibility in the upper bass and low mids without making the mix muddy. Check note length against the kick. A small saturation move can reveal the bass better than another 6 dB of sub.

Where this fits with YOUR MIX SUCKS

The method separates weight from audibility. Weight lives low. Audibility often lives higher. You need both if the record has to travel.

FAQ

Should I add more sub?

Not first. If the speaker cannot play sub, more sub only eats headroom.

What frequency area helps small speakers?

Often the upper bass and low mids reveal the note. The exact range depends on the source.

Does saturation help bass translation?

Yes, if it adds useful harmonics without turning the low mids into mud.

CTA

The complete method is in YOUR MIX SUCKS by Marc Mozart. Get the book: YOUR MIX SUCKS

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