What drum kit did Phil Rudd use on You Shook Me All Night Long?

Phil Rudd played a Ludwig drum kit on the recording. Ludwig drums were his preferred choice throughout AC/DC's classic era and provided the punchy, resonant tone heard on "Back in Black."

Where was You Shook Me All Night Long drums recorded?

The drums were recorded at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas. The studio's natural acoustics and room sound were crucial elements in achieving the tight yet spacious drum tone on the track.

What microphones were used on AC/DC You Shook Me All Night Long drums?

Multiple microphones were used including Neumann U47s, AKG D12, Shure SM57s, Neumann KM84s, and RCA 77DX mics. This combination of close mics, overheads, and room mics captured both the direct drum impact and natural room ambience.

How to get Phil Rudd drum sound from Back in Black?

Start with a well-tuned Ludwig kit, use multiple microphones for close and room miking, and focus on capturing natural room acoustics. The key is balancing direct drum attack with controlled room ambience while using minimal processing.

Who engineered the drums on You Shook Me All Night Long?

Tony Platt engineered the track under producer Robert John 'Mutt' Lange. Platt's microphone placement and recording techniques were essential in capturing the powerful, punchy drum sound that defined the album.

drums from "you shook me all night long" by ac/dc

you shook me all night long

ac/dc

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Tone Profile

A powerful and punchy rock drum sound with a tight, controlled room ambience. The drums are impactful and sit perfectly in the mix, providing a solid foundation for the song's energy.

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Ludwig Drum Kit(instrument)
Neumann U47(microphone)
AKG D12(mic)
Shure SM57(mic)
Neumann KM84(mic)
RCA 77DX(mic)

The Story

The drum sound on "You Shook Me All Night Long" was recorded at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, engineered by Tony Platt and produced by Robert John 'Mutt' Lange. Phil Rudd's Ludwig drum kit was captured using multiple microphones including close mics and room mics to achieve the characteristic punchy, controlled sound. The studio's natural acoustics contributed significantly to the tight yet spacious drum tone that became a hallmark of AC/DC's "Back in Black" album.

Production Credits

Producer: Robert John 'Mutt' Lange

Engineer: Tony Platt

Recorded at: Compass Point Studios, Bahamas

Signal Chain

Instrument: Ludwig Drum KitShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U47Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a well-tuned Ludwig drum kit, focusing on achieving a tight and punchy sound.
Experiment with microphone placement on each drum to capture the desired attack and sustain.
Use a combination of close mics, overheads, and room mics to create a balanced and full drum sound.
Pay attention to the room acoustics, as the natural ambience plays a significant role in the overall tone.
Use minimal processing to retain the natural punch and clarity of the drums.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Warm Audio WA-47Shop on Reverb$900-$1000

Alternative to: Neumann U47 tube condenser microphone

Faithful recreation of the U47's tube warmth and midrange character for drum overheads and room miking

AKG D112Shop on Reverb$200-$250

Alternative to: AKG D12 dynamic kick drum microphone

Direct descendant of the D12 with similar frequency response optimized for kick drum punch and attack

Ludwig Classic Maple kitShop on Reverb$800-$2500

Alternative to: Ludwig drum kit

Same brand and similar maple construction as Phil Rudd's kit for authentic Ludwig punch and resonance

Audio-Technica AT4041Shop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Neumann KM84 small diaphragm condenser

Cardioid condenser with similar frequency response for hi-hat and overhead duties

Slate Digital Virtual Microphone SystemPlugin Boutique$300-$400

Alternative to: Complete AC/DC drum chain

Includes models of vintage mics used on classic rock records with room modeling capabilities

Sources

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drums from “you shook me all night long” by ac/dc | ToneDB