Drum mixing is an essential skill for any music producer or audio engineer. It is crucial to get the right balance between the drum elements, their impact, and their presence in the mix. Drum mixing can be a daunting task, but with the right understanding and techniques, it can be an enjoyable and creative process. EQ and compression are two of the most helpful tools in drum mixing, and we’ll explore how to use them efficiently in this blog.

Getting Started with EQ 🎛️

As a drummer knows, each drum has its unique sound and frequencies that make it stand out. Similarly, for mixing the drums, we need to identify the frequencies of each drum to make them sit well in the mix. This is where EQ comes in handy.

  • Start by cleaning up the low end: The first step to cleaner drum sounds is removing unnecessary low frequencies from the kick, snare, and toms. This can be around 20Hz to 60Hz.
  • Boost the kick’s fundamental and attack: The kick’s thump and attack portion is around 30Hz and 100Hz frequency range, respectively. Boost these frequencies slightly to get a more prominent kick sound.
  • Add some snap to the snare: Snares have a range of harmonics in the range of 800Hz to 1kHz. Increase the EQ for this frequency range, and you’ll get more snap and presence.
  • Shaping the cymbals: The cymbals can be harsh on the high-end frequencies. Tweak the EQ around 8-12kHz, depending on the cymbal type, to reduce the harshness.

Illustration of an equalizer icon

Understanding Compression 🎚️

The next step is to use compression in the drum mix to even out the drum levels and add some sustain to the sound.

  • Setting the attack and release: Depending on the track tempo and the source material, adjust the attack and release times for the compressor. The faster attack time will reduce the transients, while the slow release time will add some sustain.
  • Taming the peaks: Reduce the peaks in the kick and snare by around 6dB to 10dB to achieve a smoother sound. Be careful not to eliminate the dynamics completely, as that might produce a dead and lifeless sound.
  • Sidechain compression: For dance and electronic music, it is essential to have a pumping effect in the mix. Sidechain compression can create this effect by being triggered by the kick or snare while reducing the other drum elements’ volume.

A compression icon along with a waveform

Balancing the Drum Mix 🎼

Once the EQ and compression have been applied, it’s time to balance the drum mix. This is where the drum elements have to work together to create a cohesive sound. You can start by following these steps:

  • Start with the kick and snare: These two elements form the foundation of the drum mix. Balance them in a way that allows them to sit well in the mix without overwhelming the other elements.
  • Adding the hi-hat and cymbals: Ensure they interact well with the kick and snare. Reduce their levels if they sound too harsh or overpower the mix.
  • Mix the toms: Ensure they cut through the mix but don’t distract from the kick and snare. Experiment with panning to pull off an exciting stereo image.
  • The overheads and room mics: These elements can add a sense of space and depth to the mix. Check the phase relationship between the two mics to avoid phase cancellations.

An illustration of a drum kit with all the elements in balance

Conclusion 🎉

By using EQ and compression techniques, you can achieve a balanced and impactful drum mix. The key is to experiment with every drum element’s frequencies, attack, and sustain to find the sweet spot. After this, it’s time to balance the mix and create a cohesive sound. Remember, there are no rules in drum mixing; it’s all about the final sound. Happy mixing! 🤘

An illustration of a drummer in headphones with a mixing console in front