Bad low end feels boomy, weak, muddy or missing depending on the speaker — the #1 translation problem in home mixes.
Common causes
1. Kick and bass same frequency space
Both fighting at 40–100 Hz.
Fix: carve EQ — boost kick click, trim bass sub; sidechain bass to kick if needed.
2. Too much low mid (mud)
200–500 Hz buildup from pads and guitars.
Fix: high-pass non-bass elements; cut mud on keys.
3. Stereo bass
Wide sub content collapses or booms in mono.
Fix: keep sub mono/centered; widen higher bass harmonics only.
4. Room lies about bass
Small rooms exaggerate or hide bass.
Fix: references, car test, translation guide.
5. Over-limiting
Bass pump and distortion; feels loud but messy.
Fix: headroom on mix bus; master later.
6. Bad samples / tuning
808 out of key or clashing with bass line.
Fix: tune 808; choose one sub source.
Check in mono
Solo low end in mono — kick and bass should still be defined.
Mastering won’t fix it
Mastering can shape tone slightly but cannot separate a kick/bass mess baked into the mix.