R&B Frequency Spectrum vs. Pink Noise
Five R&B records measured against pink noise, every track gain-matched to -14 LUFS:
- SZA “Snooze”
- Leon Thomas “MUTT”
- Kehlani “Folded”
- The Weeknd “Timeless”
- Tyla “Water”
R&B pairs a heavy sub (+9 dB over pink) with a warm low-mid region (+5 dB) and a midrange that sits just above the reference. The top end is soft (presence 4–5 dB under pink and air 9 dB under), which is where the smoothness comes from.
R&B frequency spectrum vs. other genres
The same pink-noise comparison for two related genres and three very different ones.
R&B Mixing Guide: instrument frequency ranges and levels
Kick and sub both peak at 41–64 Hz. The snare varies widely in position and level between tracks, from 111 to 322 Hz where it is outlined.
| REFFREY // R&B Parts Breakdown | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part | Level vs loudest | Peak frequency |
| Foundations | ||
| SUB | −8 to 0 dB | 41–64 Hz |
| KICK | −1 to 0 dB | 41–64 Hz |
| SNARE | −18 to −2 dB | 111–322 Hz |
| Mids | ||
| SUPPORT | −30 to −25 dB | 293 Hz – 6 kHz |
| PROMINENCE | −11 to −2 dB | 340 Hz – 6 kHz |
| Highs | ||
| AIR | −51 to −45 dB | 6–22 kHz |
| SPLASH | −34 to −26 dB | 6–22 kHz |
How loud each part peaks compared with the song’s loudest part (0 dB). Not a fader setting. Each range covers all five tracks, every one gain-matched to -14 LUFS, so the balance compares across tracks and across genres.
R&B parts vs. other genres
Where R&B’s sub, kick, snare and mid layers sit next to five other genres.
R&B Full Reference Stack: Peak, Average, and Stereo Width curves
Average (filled) and peak (dashed) spectra of every reference, with the stereo width strip below. Width is the side-to-mid level per frequency, averaged over the analyzed section: 0 dB means the sides are as loud as the centre, MONO means there is no difference between left and right at all.
Reference tracks and sections analyzed
The 5 R&B tracks behind this RefMap and the section of each that was analyzed. This is the R&B set that ships inside REFFREY.
- SZASnooze
- Leon ThomasMUTT
- KehlaniFolded
- The WeekndTimeless
- TylaWater
Captured September 2026 from the REFFREY default set “R&B”. Analysis only — no audio is included.
Mix like the Pros with REFFREY
This R&B set ships inside REFFREY. Load it, drop your mix on top, and DIFF and PARTS show exactly where yours differs — in real time from your DAW.