How can i get synth pads to sit back in the mix using mids and reverb?

[James_D]

I’ve been trying to get my synth pads to sit further back in the mix without just turning them down. I used a high-cut and some reverb, but they still feel like they’re sitting on top of everything instead of blending into the background. Is there something specific I should be doing with mid-range frequencies or the reverb’s pre-delay to create more depth?

[SofiaJ]

I tried a gentle high cut and a plate reverb but the pad still sat on top. Then I pulled back the one to two kilohertz range on the pad and it started to blend a bit more.

[NoraEG]

I widened the space by a longer reverb tail on the pad and kept the dry signal clear. It helped a touch but it still felt like the pad was fighting for space with the drums.

[Dennis22]

I even did a quick spectrum check and noticed most energy sits in the mids when the kick lands. I experimented with the master mid range and that opened a little more room for the pad without brightening it.

[Addison85]

Do you think the problem is really the pad or is something else masking it maybe the kick or a vocal?