How to EQ a snare drum

For most snares, high-pass at 100Hz to clean rumble, boost 3dB at 200Hz for body, cut 2dB at 500Hz to remove boxiness, and add 2–3dB at 5kHz for crack.

Updated 2026-05-03

Short answer

For most snares, high-pass at 100Hz to clean rumble, boost 3dB at 200Hz for body, cut 2dB at 500Hz to remove boxiness, and add 2–3dB at 5kHz for crack. Adjust the body boost based on the genre, rock wants 200Hz, EDM often wants 150Hz.

High-pass: 100Hz, 12dB/oct slope
Boost: 200Hz, +3dB, Q 1.4, body and weight
Cut: 500Hz, −2dB, Q 2.0, removes boxiness
Boost: 5kHz, +2.5dB, Q 1.0, crack and snap

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High-pass at 100Hz

A snare doesn't need anything below 100Hz, that's kick territory. A 12dB/oct slope at 100Hz removes kick bleed and floor rumble without touching the snare's fundamental. For deeper snares (jazz, hip-hop), drop to 80Hz.

Boost the body at 150–250Hz

The body of a snare lives between 150 and 250Hz. A 2–4dB boost here with a moderate Q (1.4) makes the snare feel solid instead of thin. For rock, aim 200Hz; for EDM/trap, 150Hz often works better. If the snare clashes with kick body, move the boost up to 220Hz.

Cut boxiness at 500Hz

The 400–700Hz range is where snares get boxy and 'cardboard'. A 1.5–3dB cut at 500Hz with a fairly narrow Q (2.0) clears the low-mids without thinning the snare. This is the single most universal snare EQ move, almost every snare needs it.

Add crack at 5kHz

The crack and snap of a snare lives between 4 and 7kHz. A 2–3dB boost at 5kHz with a wide Q gives the snare presence without making it harsh. If you want more rattle/wires, boost 8–10kHz instead. Don't stack both, pick one.

Frequently asked

What frequency is a snare drum?

Most snares have their fundamental between 150 and 250Hz. The crack/attack lives at 4–7kHz, and the wire rattle is at 8–12kHz. The exact center depends on the snare's tuning and material.

Why does my snare sound boxy?

Excess energy at 400–700Hz. Cut 2–3dB at 500Hz with a Q around 2.0. If it's still boxy, check 800Hz. Boxiness is usually room reflections being captured by the close mic, so EQ can only fix so much.

How do I make my snare cut through the mix?

Boost 5kHz for crack, cut 500Hz for clarity, and side-chain reverb so the snare hits dry then washes wet. Also check that no other element (synth, guitar) is sitting on 5kHz with the same energy.

Should I EQ the top and bottom snare mics differently?

Yes. Top mic gets the body and crack treatment described above. Bottom mic should be high-passed at 200Hz+ (no body needed) and boosted around 8kHz for wire rattle. Phase-flip the bottom mic if it sounds thin.

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