drums from “back in black” by ac/dc | ToneDB
back in black
ac/dc
drums
Tone Profile
The drums in "Back in Black" have a powerful, punchy, and dry sound, characterized by tight, controlled resonance and a strong attack. It's a classic rock drum tone that emphasizes clarity and impact, perfect for driving a hard-hitting rock anthem.
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The Story
The drum sound on AC/DC's "Back in Black" was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, with producer Mutt Lange and engineer Tony Platt. The drums were recorded using close-miking techniques with microphones including AKG D12s, Neumann U87s, and Shure SM57s. The dry, punchy sound was achieved through careful tuning, minimal reverb, and likely the use of gating to tighten the overall sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Engineer: Tony Platt
Recorded at: Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas
Signal Chain
Instrument: Drum Kit (likely Gretsch or Ludwig)Shop on Reverb
Microphone: AKG D12, Neumann U87, Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: EQShop on Reverb, CompressionShop on Reverb, GatingShop on Reverb
Other: Close-miking on each drum, careful tuning for minimal overtones.
Recreation Tips
- Start with a well-tuned drum kit, focusing on achieving a tight and resonant sound.
- Use close-miking techniques to capture each drum individually.
- Experiment with EQ to emphasize the attack and body of each drum while taming unwanted frequencies.
- Apply compression to add punch and sustain, but be careful not to over-compress.
- Consider using gating to further tighten the sound and reduce unwanted noise.
- Avoid excessive reverb or ambience to maintain the dry and focused character of the original recording.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: AKG D12 kick drum microphone
Modern hypercardioid dynamic mic designed for kick drums with similar frequency response and punch as the vintage AKG D12
Alternative to: Neumann U87 overhead/room microphones
Large diaphragm condenser with multiple polar patterns that captures overhead detail similar to the U87 at a more accessible price
Alternative to: Shure SM57 snare/tom microphones
The exact same microphone model used on the original recording, still manufactured and widely available
Alternative to: Hardware gates used for tightening drum sound
Provides the tight gating needed to recreate the controlled, punchy drum sound with minimal bleed
Alternative to: Console compression used during tracking/mixing
Modern compressor that can achieve the punch and attack characteristics of the original drum compression
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