Tom EQ Settings Guide: Achieving Punch and Clarity

Tom EQ settings shape the melodic fills and accents that punctuate drum performances. Unlike the continuous presence of kick and snare, toms appear intermittently—their impact when played must command attention. Understanding how different frequency ranges affect tom character across different sizes enables achieving punchy, clear toms that enhance performances.

Frequency Ranges by Tom Size

High rack tom (10-12”): Fundamental typically 150-250Hz. Attack emphasis around 3-5kHz. The smaller diameter produces higher pitch and brighter attack.

Mid rack tom (13-14”): Fundamental typically 120-180Hz. Attack emphasis around 3-5kHz. Middle ground between high and low toms.

Floor tom (14-16”): Fundamental typically 80-120Hz. Attack emphasis around 2-4kHz. The larger diameter produces lower pitch with more low-end weight.

These ranges provide starting points—actual fundamentals depend on tuning, head selection, and shell depth.

Low-End Treatment

Each tom needs appropriate low-end relative to its size. Floor toms require space for their fundamentals; rack toms need less low-end emphasis.

High-pass filtering prevents low-frequency buildup across multiple toms. Filtering rack toms below 80-100Hz and floor toms below 60-80Hz clears unnecessary content.

Enhancement of fundamental frequencies adds power and weight. Boosting the specific fundamental range of each tom creates full, resonant sound.

Excessive low-end on rack toms conflicts with floor tom and kick. The smaller drums should occupy higher frequency space than the larger ones.

Boxiness Control

The 300-600Hz range often contains problematic boxiness across all tom sizes. This frequency range is the most common cut location for tom EQ.

The specific problem frequency varies between drums. Sweeping a narrow cut while listening reveals where the boxiness lives for each specific tom.

Consistent boxiness treatment across all toms maintains unified character. Similar cut frequencies (adjusted proportionally for drum size) create cohesive tom sound.

Attack Enhancement

Tom attack frequencies vary with size. Larger toms have attack presence slightly lower than smaller toms.

Rack tom attack: 4-6kHz typically. Enhancement here helps fills cut through arrangements.

Floor tom attack: 3-5kHz typically. The lower attack frequency reflects the larger drum’s character.

Too much attack creates harsh, clicky toms lacking body. Balance attack enhancement against overall tom fullness.

Ring Control

Problematic overtones and ring appear at various frequencies depending on tuning. These issues require surgical EQ treatment.

Identify ring frequencies by listening to sustained tom decay. The ringing overtone becomes obvious; a frequency analyzer can confirm the specific frequency.

Narrow notch cuts reduce specific ring frequencies without affecting overall tone. The surgical approach addresses problems without compromising useful content.

Sometimes tuning adjustment is more effective than EQ for ring control. A tuning problem is better solved at the source.

Consistent Treatment Across Toms

All toms should receive similar EQ philosophy. Dramatically different treatment between toms creates inconsistent character during fills.

Frequency targets shift proportionally with drum size. What’s boxiness at 400Hz for a rack tom might be 300Hz for a floor tom.

Attack enhancement should be consistent in intention if not exact frequency. All toms should cut through arrangements with similar presence.

Tom-to-Overhead Relationship

Tom EQ affects how close mics combine with overhead tom capture. The frequencies emphasized in close mics should complement rather than conflict with overhead content.

Heavy EQ on close toms may sound disconnected from overheads. Consider how the processed close toms blend with the overhead tom capture.

When overheads provide significant tom coverage, close tom EQ becomes less critical. The treatment depends on how the sources are balanced.

Genre-Specific Approaches

Rock and pop: Moderate low-end, controlled boxiness, defined attack. Toms should punch through without overwhelming during fills.

Metal: Strong attack for fast fill clarity, tight low-end to prevent mud. The precision requirements demand controlled, defined toms.

Jazz: Natural, minimal EQ. The recorded character should remain largely unaltered.

Funk and R&B: Punchy attack with moderate body. Toms should contribute rhythm without dominating.

Practical Starting Points

Rack toms: High-pass at 100Hz, cut boxiness around 400-500Hz, boost attack around 4kHz.

Floor tom: High-pass at 60-80Hz, cut boxiness around 300-400Hz, boost attack around 3kHz, consider low-end body boost around 80-100Hz.

These starting points should be adjusted based on actual recorded content and mix requirements. Every recording presents unique characteristics.