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

you shook me all night long

ac/dc

drums

AI generatedv1.0

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.

Gear

Ludwig Drum Kitinstrument
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Neumann U47microphone
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AKG D12mic
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Shure SM57mic
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Neumann KM84mic
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RCA 77DXmic
Reverb$2100Sweetwater

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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 Kit

Microphone: Neumann U47

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

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

Substitutions & Recommendations

Warm Audio WA-47$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

ReverbSweetwater
AKG D112$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

ReverbSweetwater
Ludwig Classic Maple kit$800-$2500

Alternative to: Ludwig drum kit

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

ReverbSweetwater
Audio-Technica AT4041$300-$350

Alternative to: Neumann KM84 small diaphragm condenser

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

ReverbSweetwater
Slate Digital Virtual Microphone System$300-$400

Alternative to: Complete AC/DC drum chain

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

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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