So, for context, I am a songwriter who produces and records/ mixes mostly his own music. I have been mixing and recording every day for approx 3-4 years, so i am still fairly new to this and learning things every day. I am asking this out of genuine curiosity.

My primary focus over the past few years has been drums - playing and recording them. I took great care and time in figuring out what mics I like for what purposes. I've gotten quite skilled at micing drums and am learning every day, as I said...

I have a few tracks from when I wasn't quite as good at micing drums that I really like the performances on, but the kick sound isn't where I want it to be. The only way I can get it to pass is to scoop out quite a bit of 785 hz and 250/ 300 and then boost generously (approx 10db) at 50hz. I despise making eq adjustments like this, but I understand that sometimes they are necessary. Anyway - because of my disdain for heavy eqing, favoring to let the mic and placement do most of the work, I looked into sample replacing the kick. My friend emailed me a few samples and I started experimenting in Reaper. I didn't like it. I basically found the best way to use them in my case was to slide them underneath the micd kick for re-enforcement, which is what I've typically seen people do, but I still didn't like the result. I found it to change the "pulse" of the music quite significantly in a way I didn't care for. Enlighten me if I'm not seeing the whole picture, but I'm failing to see how it's musical to insert one consistent "thudding" sound, no matter how well it's been eq'd and compressed or whatever, into an inherently dynamic/ inconsistent context. i.e. Music. I've thought that perhaps if there were some type of way to key the dynamics of the sample off of the velocity of the micd kick signal, then this would render samples more sensical in my mind, but it looks like the only way to do this is to go in there manually and adjust it for every hit?? Do people actually do this?? I'm apt to parallel process with literally anything at that point in order to try and affect more punch or cut or whatever it is that I'm after. I can't imagine going in there and being that microscopic with everything...

My sincere apologies if I come off biased or assholish or stuck up or anything. I'm not coming that way at all. Totally asking out of genuine curiosity and I only care about what comes out of the speakers. I am new to this in general and am only seeking knowledge.

Thank you, All.