Frequency Spectrum

Question 1

Frequency breakdown of a kick drum

Answer 1

20 – 60 Hz – thump/boom
60 – 100 Hz – punch/body/weight, fundamental peaks
100 – 250 Hz – bass presence
250 – 500 Hz – low-mid
1 kHz – 4 kHz – attack
4 kHz – 10 kHz – transient

Question 2

Frequency breakdown of a snare

Answer 2

100 – 250 Hz – punch/body/weight, fundamental peaks
250 – 500 Hz – low-mid
500 Hz – 1 kHz – tone & character
1 kHz – 2.5 kHz – attack / upper body
2.5 kHz – 5 kHz – sizzle (to cut through mix)
5 kHz – 8 kHz – high end detail
8 kHz – 12 kHz+ – air and shimmer

Question 3

Frequency breakdown of a tom

Answer 3

60 – 100 Hz – boom
100 – 200 Hz – punch/body/weight, fundamental peaks
200 – 400 Hz – Warmth / low-mid weight
400 – 800 Hz – boxy area to EQ for clarity
800 Hz – 1.5 kHz – tone & character
1.5 kHz – 3 kHz – attack / upper body
3 kHz – 5 kHz – presence/clarity
5 kHz – 10 kHz+ – air/high-end detail

Question 4

Frequency breakdown of a crash cymbal

Answer 4

200 – 500 Hz – warmth
500 Hz – 1 kHz – Tone, slight boost can make the crash fuller, but too much brings harshness
1 kHz – 3 kHz — Attack
3 kHz – 6 kHz — Presence/brightness
6 kHz – 12 kHz — Shimmer/sizzle
12 kHz – 18 kHz+ — Ultra-high sparkle, gentle shelf boost here can add polish if dull.

Question 5

Frequency breakdown of a hi hat + ride cymbal

Answer 5

100 – 300 Hz – warmth, often cut
300 Hz – 800 Hz — Tone
800 Hz – 2 kHz — Hi end tone
2 kHz – 5 kHz — Attack & clarity
5 kHz – 10 kHz — Shimmer/sizzle
10 kHz – 16 kHz+ — Ultra-high wash

Question 6

List the freq where the fundamental or tone of the following lie

Kick
Snare
Tom
Crash
Ride/Hats

Answer 6

Kick: 60 -100
Tom: 100-200
Snare: 100 -250
Crash: 500 -1k
Ride/Hats: 800 - 2k

Question 7

List general ranges of:

Sub
Bass
Low mid
Mids
Upper Mids
Presence (Highs)
Brilliance

Answer 7

Sub — 20-60 Hz
Bass — 60-250 Hz
Low mid — 250-500 Hz
Mids — 500- 2k Hz
Upper Mids — 2k - 4k Hz
Presence (Highs) — 4k to 6k Hz
Brilliance - 6k- 20k Hz