Kick Drum EQ: The Perfect Low End Formula

⏱️ 5 min read • 🥁 Drum Mixing

The kick drum is the anchor of modern music. If the kick is weak, the song is weak. If the kick is muddy, the song is amateur.

Mixing a kick isn't about guessing. It's about knowing the biology of the drum. There are 4 distinct "zones" you need to know. Master these, and you can mix any kick in any genre.

Zone 1: The Sub (40Hz - 60Hz)

This is the "chest hit." It’s what you feel in a club.

Boost: If you want a massive, floor-shaking trap or techno kick.
Cut (High Pass): If you are mixing fast rock or metal. A 40Hz rumble will just make fast double-bass drumming sound like a blur.

Zone 2: The Thump vs. Mud (100Hz - 250Hz)

This is the most dangerous area.

100Hz: This is usually where the "punch" lives for acoustic drums.
200Hz - 250Hz: This is the "Mud Zone." This frequency makes the kick sound like a cardboard box.

✂️ The Magic Cut

Almost every kick drum benefits from a narrow cut around 200Hz - 400Hz.

Why? By removing this boxy frequency, you automatically make the highs and lows sound separated. You create a "smiley face" EQ curve that sounds polished instantly.

Zone 3: The Knock (400Hz - 800Hz)

This is the "basketball" sound.

Vintage/Indie: Sometimes you want a bit of this woodiness for a natural 70s sound.
Modern Pop/EDM: Get rid of it. It eats up headroom and doesn't add power.

Zone 4: The Click (2.5kHz - 5kHz)

This is the beater hitting the skin. It’s essential for small speakers (phones, laptops).

If you can't hear your kick on an iPhone, don't boost the bass! Boost the Click (3kHz). The human ear hears 3kHz very well, so this tricks the brain into hearing the rhythm clearly.

Metal: Massive boost at 4-5kHz (Typewriter sound).
Hip Hop: Subtle boost at 2.5kHz for snap.
Warm Jazz: Low shelf cut here to hide the beater.

The Kick & Bass Relationship

You cannot EQ a kick in solo. You must EQ it with the Bass guitar/Synth.

They are fighting for the same space. You must decide who wins.

Kick Wins Sub: Boost Kick at 50Hz. Cut Bass at 50Hz. (EDM Style)
Bass Wins Sub: Boost Bass at 50Hz. Focus Kick at 100Hz. (Rock/Jazz Style)

This is also where Sidechain Compression comes in handy (check our guide on that!).

Summary Cheat Sheet

Frequency	Action	Result
50-60Hz	Boost	Adds weight/rumble
250-350Hz	Cut	Removes unwanted "boxiness"
2-5kHz	Boost	Adds attack/click (Phone visibility)

Conclusion

Don’t just turn knobs until it looks cool. Listen to what the drum needs. Does it need more weight? Go to 60Hz. Does it sound like a paper bag? Cut 300Hz.

EQ with intention, and your low end will be massive.