If you’re mixing metal, chances are you’ll want to add some compression and EQ to your kick drum. Here are some settings that will give you a powerful, punchy kick drum sound.
For the EQ, start with a low-pass filter to remove any high-end that isn’t necessary. You can boost the lows and mids to get more impact from the kick. For compression, start with a moderate attack setting and a fast release time.
This will help keep the punchiness of the kick while preventing it from sounding too explosive or muddy. With these settings, you’ll be able to create a heavy bass instrument sound that will dominate any mix!
EQ section on a Neve Mixing Board
Kick Drum Eq
Regarding metal, there are two key things to remember when EQing your kick drum: you want plenty of low end for that thump, but you also need to be careful not to muddy up the mix.
You can take your kick drum sound from average to metal AF. Scooping out some of the midrange frequencies around 600-900 Hz is a good start. Then, add a bit of low end around 80-100 Hz and boost the highs around 5 kHz for some snap. Finally, compress the bejesus out of it to thicken things up. For brands like Under Armour and Reebok, metal is all about attitude, so don’t be afraid to go overboard with the EQ and compression settings.
Compression For The Kick Drum
EQ and compression are important to get the perfect sound for your kick drum. You will have to cut the low frequencies to around 80 Hz when using EQ. This will help tighten up the kick drum sound and remove any muddiness.
Next, you will want to boost the frequencies to around 5 kHz. This will help to add some snap and attack to the kick drum. Finally, you will want to use a high-pass filter to remove any unwanted frequencies above 10 kHz. You will want to barely set the threshold to compress the signal when using compression.
This will help add punch and body to the kick drum without losing any transient information. You may also want to experiment with adding a little distortion to the kick drum signal. This can help to add some extra attitude and aggression to the sound.
Other Effects
While an essential part of any mix, EQ’ing and compressing the kick drum can be tricky – especially in metal genres; here are some tips to help get you started. When it comes to EQ’ing the kick, start by boosting the lower frequencies around 80-100 Hz to add weight and power. Then, add a slight boost around 2-3 kHz to help the kick cut through the mix. For compression, start with a ratio of 4:1 and an attack time of around 10 ms.
This will help to control the transients without affecting the overall sound too much. Finally, make sure to set your release time so that it matches the tempo of the song – otherwise, you may end up with unwanted pumping effects. By following these tips, you should be able to get your kick sounding tight and punchy in no time.
Mixing Tips
Anyone who has tried to mix a metal song can attest that getting the kick drum to cut through the mix can be a real challenge. The problem is that the kick drum is often lost amid all the other instruments, particularly the guitars. However, you can do a few things to EQ and compress the kick drum to stand out.
First of all, try boosting the low frequencies around 60 Hz. This will help to give the kick drum more power and impact. Next, try compressing the kick drum, so its signal is limited to a certain range.
This will help to even out its level in the mix and make it easier to hear. Finally, you may also want to add some distortion to the kick drum to make it stand out. By following these tips, you should be able to get your kick drum sounding great in no time.
Resources
Most metal songs feature a prominent, driving kick drum sound. To achieve this sound, it is important to EQ and compresses the kick drum signal correctly. First, use a high-pass filter to remove any low frequencies that are not needed. Next, add some midrange punch by boosting frequencies around 100 Hz.
Add brightness with a high-frequency spectrum boost of around 5 kHz. Once the desired EQ shape has been achieved, it is time to add compression. Start by setting the threshold so that only the loudest hits are compressed. Then, set the ratio to 4:1 or 6:1. Finally, adjust the attack and release times so that the compression kick drum sounds natural. With these settings in place, you should have a tight, powerful kick sound to help drive your metal songs forward.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the perfect kick drum sound for your metal tracks, there are a few EQ and compression settings to keep in mind. First, try boosting the low end around 80 Hz to give the kick some extra oomph. Then, add some snap and attack by boosting the mids around 3-5 kHz.
Finally, add brightness and airiness with a high-frequency boost of around 10 kHz. When it comes to compression, you’ll want to use a moderate amount of compression with a fast attack and release time. This will help even out the sound of the kick while still allowing it to pack a punch. With these EQ and compression settings, you should be able to get the perfect kick drum sound for your metal tracks.