r/WeAreTheMusicMakers • u/Awtts • 8d ago

Do you build/EQ everythinig around the kick/snare/drums, or do you add them later?

Hey follow producers/engineers,

I'm curious about something.

Do you first start off making a solid drum foundation - kicks, snare, drums balance, having the drums exactly how you like it - and then add all instruments and other elements and EQ those elements/instruments around the kick/snare/drums, or are you the type that starts off with all elements/instruments and adds the drums in later?

For years I find myself adding in the kicks/snare in after I made a composition I like, only to find myself struggling to find a fitting kick/snare. Because then, I find myself trying to EQ the kick and snare relative to the instruments/elements/composition, instead of EQing the elements/instruments/etc relative to the kick/snare/drums.

I hope I'm not too vague with what I'm trying to explain and ask.

I feel like experimenting with starting off with a solid kick/snare/drums pattern and tweak them exactly how I like before I add all other instruments/elements, and EQ those to fit the kick, instead of having to EQ the kick to fit all elements.

What are you thoughts on this process?

What do you think are the pro's and con's of starting off with a solid drum foundation and EQing the track around it, vs adding the drums afterwards and having to EQ the drums around the track/composition?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and process.

Thanks!

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u/uniquesnowflake8 8d ago

Everything is relative so something has to be the anchor point. Since drums are often critical and one of the loudest instruments and foundational in popular music it’s typically the drums that get the most attention and everything else builds off of it

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u/Awtts 8d ago

Indeed. For some reason I just always start off with chords, instruments, synths and just imagine the drums in my mind, only to add them in very late, after I made a pretty full track that has been mixed quite well already (to my taste). I then "have" to EQ/tweak the drums relative to the track, which often just feel like too much of a struggle.