Drum mixing can be a daunting task and I’m gonna guess that a lot of you are like me. 

Just minding your business and all the sudden I’m roped into running the sound board at church, then I have to try to figure out how to make them drums sound good! 

I still remember my first time behind the mixer, staring at all those knobs and faders, wondering how in the world I was going to make sense of it all.

It was overwhelming.

After years of learning (mostly through trial and error), I want to share some practical tips that have helped me get a solid drum sound for our worship services.

Getting Started: The Basics of Balance

Before we get too far in the weeds, let’s talk about the most important thing.

Getting your levels right. 

I learned this the hard way – you can have all the fancy effects in the world, but if your basic balance is off, nothing else matters. 

Start with these steps:

1. Get your kick and snare balanced first – these are your foundation

2. Bring in your hi-hat and cymbals

3. Add your toms last

I made a few mistakes early on and one was trying to mix drums in solo. 

Don’t do that! 

Always check how they sound with the rest of the band, especially the bass guitar. You want them to work together, not fight each other.

EQ: Making Each Piece Fit

Here’s where things get a bit more technical, but I’ll keep it simple. 

Think of EQ like seasoning your food. You want just enough to bring out the natural flavors, not so much that you can’t taste the original ingredients anymore.

Kick Drum:

– Cut out anything below 30Hz (You don’t need it)

– Add a little bump around 60-80Hz for that nice “thump”

– If it sounds too “boxy,” cut around 300Hz

Snare:

– Boost a bit around 200Hz for body

– Add some “snap” around 3-4kHz

– If it’s too harsh, cut back around 1kHz

Cymbals and overheads:

– High-pass filter around 300Hz (they don’t need low end)

– Maybe a gentle boost around 10kHz for some sparkle

– Be careful not to make them too “zingy” – worship spaces often have enough natural high end!

Use Compression To Keep Things Under Control

I used to be scared of compression, but think of it as really fast volume control. 

In church sound, you want things to be consistent. No one should jump out of their seat when the drummer gets excited during the bridge!

Here’s what works for me:

– Kick and snare: Use moderate compression (4:1 ratio)

– Fast attack, medium release

– Aim for 3-6dB of reduction

– Do not overdo it – you still want some of the dynamics

Tip: If your mixer has a drum bus (group), add very gentle compression there (2:1 ratio). It helps everything gel together nicely.

Reverb: Creating Space

Here’s something I wish someone had told me earlier: in most churches, you already have natural reverb from the room! 

Don’t add too much artificial reverb unless you’re in a really dead space. 

When you do use it:

– Keep it subtle on the snare (0.8-1.0 seconds)

– Use a plate reverb type if you have it

– Don’t add reverb to the kick – it’ll just make things muddy

– A touch of room reverb on the whole kit can help blend things

Panning: Where Should Everything Go?

In church sound, if you have a stereo system setup you want to keep things pretty natural. 

Here’s my approach:

– Kick and snare stay dead center

– Hi-hats slightly to one side (usually left)

– Overheads panned wider but not all the way

– Toms spread out naturally (like you’re sitting at the kit)

Remember, some people might be sitting off to one side of the sanctuary, so don’t get too extreme with the panning.

Common Mistakes (That I’ve Definitely Made)

1. Too much low end in the kick drum. Your room probably can’t handle it, and it’ll just sound muddy.

2. Over-compressing everything. The drums should still feel dynamic and alive.

3. Making the cymbals too loud. They’ll cut through more than you think!

4. Not checking different spots in the room. What sounds good at the mixer might be overwhelming in the front row.

Practical Tips for Church Sound

Here are some real-world tips that have helped me:

– During soundcheck, walk around the room. The sound will be different in different spots.

– Have a conversation with your drummer about dynamics. It’s okay to ask them to play lighter during certain parts!

– Keep a notepad with settings that work for different drummers. Every drummer is different.

– Don’t be afraid to use gates on the toms to keep things clean.

– Remember that drums in worship music should support, not dominate.

Wrapping It Up

Getting a great drum sound is a journey, not a destination. 

I’m still learning new things all the time, and that’s okay! 

The key is to start simple, make small adjustments, and always remember that we’re serving the worship experience, not trying to create a concert.

Start with getting your basic levels right, then move on to EQ, then compression, and finally effects like reverb. 

Take your time, and don’t feel like you need to use every tool in your toolbox just because it’s there.

Remember, at the end of the day, if the congregation isn’t thinking about the sound system, you’re probably doing your job right. They should be focused on worship, not wondering why the cymbals are too loud or the kick drum is making their coffee cup vibrate!

Keep learning, keep experimenting (during rehearsal, not Sunday morning!), and don’t be too hard on yourself. 

We’re all on this journey together!