Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Why your kick sounds small and boxy even when you turn it up, and how to fix it without touching the sub.
When a kick feels small, most people reach straight for more low end. That usually makes it worse. The problem often isn't missing bottom at all. It's too much body. The 300 to 500Hz range fills up fast and makes the kick sound boxy, so turning it up just makes the box louder.
Cut the box before you boost the bottom. Grab a dynamic EQ, sweep to find the worst spot, then do a wide cut in dynamic mode between 300 and 500Hz until the boxiness clears. Working in dynamic mode lets the transient punch through and only tames the boxy part of the tail.
Now the kick sounds bigger and cleaner without adding a single dB to the sub.
Where does your kick usually get boxy? Drop it in the comments.
#mixing #kickdrum #dynamiceq #mixingtips #musicproduction
Why your kick sounds small and boxy even when you turn it up, and how to fix it without touching the sub.
When a kick feels small, most people reach straight for more low end. That usually makes it worse. The problem often isn't missing bottom at all. It's too much body. The 300 to 500Hz range fills up fast and makes the kick sound boxy, so turning it up just makes the box louder.
Cut the box before you boost the bottom. Grab a dynamic EQ, sweep to find the worst spot, then do a wide cut in dynamic mode between 300 and 500Hz until the boxiness clears. Working in dynamic mode lets the transient punch through and only tames the boxy part of the tail.
Now the kick sounds bigger and cleaner without adding a single dB to the sub.
Where does your kick usually get boxy? Drop it in the comments.
#mixing #kickdrum #dynamiceq #mixingtips #musicproduction
