Tone Profile

A hard-hitting, groovy 70s rock drum sound with a tight and punchy character, enhanced by subtle room ambience and a touch of compression. The drums are impactful and sit perfectly in the mix.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The drum sound was likely achieved by close-miking each drum with dynamic mics like the Shure SM57 on the snare and AKG D12 on the kick, complemented by Neumann U87 overheads to capture the kit's overall sound and room ambience.
• The drums were recorded in a well-treated studio environment to control unwanted resonances and reflections.
• Compression was applied during mixing to enhance the punch and sustain of the drums, helping them cut through the mix.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a vintage-style Ludwig drum kit to capture the correct fundamental tone.
• Use a combination of close mics (Shure SM57, AKG D12) and overhead mics (Neumann U87) to blend punch and ambience.
• Experiment with compression to achieve a tight and controlled sound. A classic FET compressor like the Urei 1176 can add aggression and sustain.
• Pay attention to tuning – a tight, resonant tuning will help the drums sound punchy and articulate.

Recommended Gear

• Ludwig Drum Kit(drums)
• Shure SM57(mic)
• Neumann U87(mic)
• AKG D12(mic)
• Urei 1176(compressor)