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How to Make the Kick Drums Stand Out in a Mix

In dense mixes that contain a lot of different instruments, it is often difficult to hear the kick drum. In order to help the kick drum stand out in a mix, you can utilize an equalizer to shape its sound. An equalizer will allow you to emphasize and de-emphasize certain frequencies of the kick drum that will allow it to be heard more easily.

Things You'll Need

  • Equalizer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Boost the gain on your equalizer between 80 and 100 Hz if your kick drum sounds thin. This will add low end and thicken up the kick drum.

    • 2

      Reduce the gain on your equalizer between 80 and 100 Hz if your kick drum sounds too thick. This will take away some of the low end in the kick drum and make it sound clearer.

    • 3

      Reduce the gain on your equalizer around 200 to 250 Hz if the kick drum sounds too "boomy." This will add more clarity to the kick drum, making it sound more focused.

    • 4

      Reduce the gain on your equalizer around 300 to 600 Hz to take away the frequencies that occasionally make the kick drum sound like cardboard. This will also help to emphasize the low and high frequencies of the kick drum, allowing it to stand out more easily in a mix.

    • 5

      Boost the gain on your equalizer around 2.5 KHz to 4 KHz to add more attack to the kick drum. This will emphasize the sound of the kick drum better, allowing it to cut through a dense mix.

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