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drums from “livin' on a prayer” by bon jovi | ToneDB

livin' on a prayer

bon jovi

drums

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

The drums have a big, gated reverb sound that is characteristic of 1980s rock. The kick and snare are punchy and prominent, with a clear and present overall tone.

Gear

Tama Superstarinstrument
Reverb$375Sweetwater
AKG D12microphone
ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57mic
ReverbSweetwater
Neumann U87mic
ReverbSweetwater
SSL 4000 G+channel_strip
Reverb$482Sweetwater
AMS RMX16pedal
ReverbSweetwater

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The Story

The drums on "Livin' on a Prayer" were recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios by producer Bruce Fairbairn and engineer Bob Rock. The distinctive sound comes from Tico Torres's Tama Superstar kit processed through an SSL 4000 G+ console with heavy gated reverb from an AMS RMX16. The kit was captured using close mics including an AKG D12 on kick and Shure SM57 on snare, with Neumann U87s as overheads for the cymbals.

Production Credits

Producer: Bruce Fairbairn

Engineer: Bob Rock

Recorded at: Little Mountain Sound Studios, Vancouver, BC

Signal Chain

Instrument: Tama Superstar

Microphone: AKG D12

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a punchy drum kit, such as a Tama Superstar or similar.
  • Use close microphones on the kick and snare, such as an AKG D12 for the kick and a Shure SM57 for the snare.
  • Use overhead microphones, such as Neumann U87s, to capture the cymbals.
  • Apply EQ and compression to the individual drum tracks to shape the sound.
  • Add gated reverb using a plugin or hardware unit that emulates the AMS RMX16.

Original Gear

  • Tama Superstar(drums)
  • AKG D12(mic)
  • Shure SM57(mic)
  • Neumann U87(mic)
  • SSL 4000 G+(channel_strip)
  • AMS RMX16(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

FabFilter Pro-R$199

Alternative to: AMS RMX16 reverb unit

Features authentic gated reverb algorithms that can recreate the AMS RMX16's signature sound heard on the snare and toms

ReverbSweetwater
Solid State Logic SSL 2+$349

Alternative to: SSL 4000 G+ console

Provides SSL's signature sound with built-in Legacy 4K mode for that punchy SSL console character on drums

ReverbSweetwater
Shure Beta 52A$179

Alternative to: AKG D12 kick drum mic

Modern dynamic kick drum mic that captures the punchy low-end and attack similar to the vintage AKG D12

ReverbSweetwater
Audio-Technica AT4050$699

Alternative to: Neumann U87 overhead mics

Large diaphragm condenser with similar frequency response to U87, great for capturing crisp cymbal detail

ReverbSweetwater
Waves SSL 4000 Collection$179

Alternative to: SSL 4000 G+ console EQ and compression

Official SSL-endorsed plugin recreation of the 4000 G+ EQ and dynamics that shaped the original drum sound

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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