Kick Lab 04 · 12 min
Frequency Lab
Sweep an EQ band, change gain and bandwidth, and connect spectral movement to audible thump, knock, click and mud.
Controlled experiment
Change one cause. Hear the result.
Before moving a control, predict what will change. Use the play controls to compare at a comfortable level.
Audio starts only when you press a play button.
Move one control and listen for the relationship.
Attention guide
Listen for these three things.
- 130 to 70 Hz depth and room interaction
- 280 to 180 Hz body
- 32 to 8 kHz definition
Guided practice
Three experiments worth doing.
Do them in order. Reveal “What to notice” only after you have described the result in your own words.
- 01
Exaggerate, then retreat
Set Gain to +12 dB and sweep slowly. When you identify the quality, reduce gain toward zero.
What to notice
Exaggeration is a search method, not usually the final setting.
- 02
Cut the cause
Set 220 Hz, Q 1.2 and compare 0 dB with −6 dB.
What to notice
A broad low-mid cut can clarify one source but may also remove useful body.
- 03
Narrow is not precise by default
Compare Q 1 and Q 10 at the same centre and gain.
What to notice
A very narrow move affects less spectrum but can sound resonant or unnatural.
Check your model
What should determine the frequency you EQ first?
Choose the answer that explains the cause, not merely the symptom.
Close the loop
Can you explain the result without the controls?
If you can name the cause, the audible change and the musical tradeoff, the concept is ready to transfer into your own session.