resources

eq cheats

quick moves that actually work in worship mixes. keep it musical. keep it simple.

kick

  • 40hz — boost for low. boomers say 60, but that’s too musical; we want chest-hit.
  • 250 — delete it. horrible.
  • 350–500 — cut boxiness.
  • 1–2k — cut if it feels tacky.
  • 5k — click. boost or cut based on genre.

snare top

  • hpf to ~130.
  • 150–200 — boost for low-end thump.
  • 700 — delete.
  • 1–2k — cut tacky.
  • 3.5–5k — boomers boost; i cut (heavy comp).
  • 10k+ — boost for air/top.

snare bottom

  • hpf to ~130.
  • no fundamental boost.
  • 700 — delete.
  • 2–4k — delete (wire rattle).
  • 10k+ — boost for air.

toms

  • cut ringy fundamental (40–150 depending on size).
  • 350–600 — cut boxiness.
  • 2k — cut tackiness.
  • 4–5k — cut clickiness.
  • 10k+ — boost for air.

cymbals / overheads

  • hpf ~150 if you want some kit body, or 300–400 if they’re cymbal-only (i like 150).
  • cut the same boxiness you found in toms/snare (400–800).
  • 2.5–3k — delete. horrid.
  • watch 5–10k after that cut; you may need to tame more top.

drum buss

  • after compression, boxiness creeps back. look at 400–800 and your top end above 5k. stay musical: not harsh, not boxy.
  • no hpf.
  • 60–80hz — fundamental.
  • 200–400 — muddy; likely cut.
  • 2k — cut.
  • lpf around 3–4k.
  • hpf ~100.
  • lpf ~5k if you’re brave; otherwise ease it up to taste.
  • 200–400 — cut woof.
  • 500–700 — cut boxiness.
  • 800–1.5k — cut nasal.
  • 2–4k — cut string/pick noise.
  • acoustic eq is a dance: make a move, compensate; most acoustics sound rough—earn that volunteer salary.
  • hpf ~80.
  • lpf ~7k.
  • 250–400 — watch muddiness.
  • 700–1k — watch nasal.
  • 2–4k — watch screechy upper mids.
  • need more brightness? get wild and boost 8k (even if you lpf at 7).
  • hpf ~100 with full band; none if acoustic set.
  • 250–400 — watch muddiness.
  • 800 — watch boxiness.
  • 1.5–3k — watch aggressive boomer player.
  • 6k — can clash with vocals.
  • hpf ~80.
  • 250–400 — cut.
  • 700 — cut.
  • 1.5–2.5k — cut.
  • 4k — cut.
  • 6k — cut.
  • 12k — boost.
  • hpf up to 300 (dare i say).
  • 700–1k — cut boxiness.
  • 1.5–2k — cut radio honk.
  • 4k — tame harshness.
  • 6k — cut sibilance.
  • 8k — boost if you like cla.
  • 12k — boost for air/top.