Tone Profile

A tight, punchy, and slightly vintage-sounding drum kit with a focus on the snare and kick, providing a solid backbone for the song. The overall sound is dry and controlled, reminiscent of classic soul and R&B recordings.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The drum sound on 'Back to Black' is characterized by its tight, dry nature, achieved through careful microphone placement and mixing techniques.
• The drums were likely recorded in a well-treated studio environment to minimize unwanted reflections and ambience.
• Compression was used on the individual drum tracks and during the mixing stage to enhance the punch and sustain of the drums.
• The snare drum sound is a key element, with a focus on capturing its crispness and attack.
• Mark Ronson's production often involves blending vintage recording techniques with modern production sensibilities.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a well-tuned drum kit, paying attention to the snare and kick drum sounds.
• Use close-miking techniques to capture the individual drum sounds with minimal bleed.
• Experiment with different microphone placements to find the sweet spot for each drum.
• Apply compression to the individual drum tracks to increase their punch and sustain.
• Use EQ to shape the overall drum sound, focusing on the low-end of the kick drum and the high-end of the snare drum.
• Consider using a gate to further tighten up the drum sounds and remove any unwanted noise.
• In the mix, focus on creating a balance between the drums, bass, and vocals, ensuring that the drums provide a solid foundation for the song.

Recommended Gear

• Ludwig Drum Kit(drums)
• Neumann U47(mic)
• AKG D12(mic)
• Shure SM57(mic)
• SSL 4000 G+ Console(channel_strip)