Equalizer Settings for Metal
An aggressive scooped-mid curve: a heavy low end for kick drums, a tight cut around 500 Hz, and lifted highs for pick attack and cymbals.
Metal EQ curve
| Band | Gain |
|---|---|
| 32 Hz | +6 dB |
| 64 Hz | +5 dB |
| 125 Hz | +3 dB |
| 250 Hz | 0 dB |
| 500 Hz | -3 dB |
| 1 kHz | -2 dB |
| 2 kHz | +2 dB |
| 4 kHz | +5 dB |
| 8 kHz | +6 dB |
| 16 kHz | +5 dB |
Why these settings work
Double-bass drums and down-tuned guitars live at 40–125 Hz. The cut at 500 Hz–1 kHz removes boxiness, and the lift at 2–8 kHz emphasizes pick attack and cymbals.
Summary by range
| Range | Average | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-bass (32–64 Hz) | +5.5 dB | Boost |
| Bass (125–250 Hz) | +1.5 dB | Boost |
| Mids (500 Hz–2 kHz) | -1.0 dB | Cut |
| Highs (4–16 kHz) | +5.3 dB | Boost |
Tips
- Scooping the mids can bury vocals. Raise the 1–2 kHz bands back toward 0 dB for clean vocals.
- Reduce the 4–8 kHz boost for harsh or over-compressed recordings.
- If the bass blurs together, lower the 125 Hz or 250 Hz band by a couple of dB.
These values are a starting point. Every pair of headphones and every room sounds different, so adjust each band by ear.
Metal equalizer FAQ
Should I scoop the mids for metal?
A small dip around 500 Hz–1 kHz tightens heavy guitars, but go too far and vocals and riffs lose their body.
What frequency makes double-bass drums punchy?
The click sits around 2–4 kHz and the weight at 50–100 Hz. Lifting both makes fast kick patterns clearer.
Use this preset on YouTube and streaming sites
The Chrome extension gives you a 10-band equalizer, bass booster and volume booster in your browser.