Tone Profile

The drums have a tight, punchy, and relatively dry sound with a focus on clarity and controlled sustain. The overall tone is modern and polished, fitting within the context of a piano-driven alternative rock song.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The drum sound in 'Clocks' is characterized by its controlled dynamics and minimal ambience, pointing to careful microphone placement and potentially some dampening techniques used during recording.
• The kick drum has a defined attack and controlled low-end, likely achieved through a combination of microphone choice and careful tuning.
• The snare drum exhibits a tight, snappy sound with minimal ring, suggesting the use of dampening or careful microphone positioning to capture the desired tone.
• Overheads are used to capture a balanced representation of the entire kit, with cymbals sitting nicely in the mix without overpowering the other drum elements.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a well-tuned drum kit, focusing on achieving a tight and controlled sound from each drum.
• Experiment with microphone placement to minimize unwanted resonances and capture the desired attack and sustain.
• Consider using subtle compression and EQ to further shape the drum tones and enhance clarity.
• Pay attention to the balance between the individual drum elements and the overall kit sound, ensuring that each component contributes effectively to the final mix.
• Use a transient shaper to further enhance the punch of the kick and snare.

Recommended Gear

• Yamaha Recording Custom(drums)
• Zildjian A Custom(drums)
• Neumann U87(mic)
• Shure SM57(mic)
• AKG D112(mic)
• SSL 4000 G+ Console(channel_strip)