Subtle pads and atmospheres with a gentle, spacey effect usually have their main frequency content between 80 and 120 Hz. This sound range gives them a mellow characteristic, allowing them to provide subtle ambience and depth in a mix.
For more defined and present pad sounds, they usually occupy the mid-range frequencies, between 400 Hz and 1.6 kHz. This area enhances their presence in the mix, making them more discernible and providing melodic or harmonic support.
Moving higher up the spectrum, there are airy, ethereal pads with the main frequency components residing between 3.2 kHz and 10 kHz. These pads add shimmering harmonics and a sense of airiness to the overall soundscape.
And of course, deep, resonant pads can benefit from extended low-end frequencies, ranging down to 20 Hz. This adds significant warmth and fullness to the pad sound.
To maximize their impact, pads are often multi-layered with different frequency ranges working together. This approach allows for rich, complex textures that occupy various frequency bands in a balanced way.
It is important to consider multiple factors when finding the ideal frequency range for a pad, including the overall track context and the desired mood or atmosphere.