drums from “clocks” by coldplay | ToneDB
clocks
coldplay
drums
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.
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The Story
The drums on 'Clocks' were recorded at Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris, produced by Ken Nelson and engineered by Mark Pythian. The drum sound features a Yamaha Recording Custom kit with Zildjian A Custom cymbals, captured through a combination of Neumann U87, Shure SM57, and AKG D112 microphones, mixed through an SSL 4000 G+ console. The tight, punchy sound was achieved through careful microphone placement and controlled dynamics with minimal room ambience.
Production Credits
Producer: Ken Nelson
Engineer: Mark Pythian
Recorded at: Studio Guillaume Tell, Paris
Signal Chain
Instrument: Yamaha Recording CustomShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb
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.
Original Gear
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- Yamaha Recording CustomShop on Reverb(drums)
- Zildjian A CustomShop on Reverb(drums)
- Neumann U87Shop on Reverb(mic)
- Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)
- AKG D112Shop on Reverb(mic)
- SSL 4000 G+ ConsoleShop on Reverb(channel_strip)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Neumann U87 overhead mics
Large diaphragm condenser with similar frequency response for overhead clarity but at a fraction of the U87 cost
Alternative to: SSL 4000 G+ Console channel strips
Provides SSL's signature sound and EQ character for drum mixing in a modern interface format
Alternative to: SSL 4000 G+ Console processing
Emulates the exact SSL console EQ and dynamics used on the original recording
Alternative to: AKG D112 kick drum mic
Current production version of the same mic used for that defined kick attack and controlled low-end
Alternative to: Yamaha Recording Custom kit
Yamaha's current affordable kit with similar birch construction that delivers tight, controlled tones
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