What drums did Earth Wind and Fire use on September?

Earth, Wind & Fire used a Rogers drum kit on "September," which was a popular choice in 70s studio recordings. The kit was heavily dampened with blankets and pillows, particularly in the kick drum, to achieve the tight, controlled sound heard on the record.

How to get Earth Wind and Fire September drum sound?

Start with a well-tuned kit using dampened heads or external dampening materials like towels. Use close miking on individual drums with dynamic mics, overhead condensers for cymbals, and apply moderate compression to tighten the sound. The key is controlling resonance while maintaining punch and clarity.

Who engineered Earth Wind and Fire September?

"September" was engineered by George Massenburg at Sunset Sound in Hollywood. Massenburg was known for his precise recording techniques and innovative use of EQ, which contributed to the polished, punchy drum sound on the track.

What microphones were used on September drums?

The drum recording used AKG D12 microphones on the kick drum, Shure SM57s for close miking snare and toms, and Neumann U87s as overhead microphones to capture the overall kit and cymbal sound. This combination provided both punch and detail in the final mix.

September Earth Wind Fire recording studio

"September" was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California. Sunset Sound was a premier recording facility in the 1970s, known for its excellent acoustics and high-end equipment, which contributed to the professional sound quality of the track.

drums from "september" by earth, wind & fire

september

earth, wind & fire

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Tone Profile

The drums have a tight, punchy sound with a clear attack and controlled resonance, fitting perfectly within the track's upbeat and funky vibe. The overall character is clean and well-defined, contributing to the song's polished and professional sound.

Shop This Rig

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Rogers Drums(instrument)
AKG D12(microphone)
Shure SM57(mic)
Neumann U87(mic)
Zildjian Cymbals(drums)

The Story

The drums on "September" were recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood by engineer George Massenburg, featuring a Rogers drum kit with Zildjian cymbals. The recording utilized close miking techniques with AKG D12 on kick, Shure SM57s on snare and toms, and Neumann U87s as overheads. The kit was well-damped with blankets or pillows in the kick drum to control resonance, and compression was applied to achieve the tight, punchy sound that became characteristic of late 70s funk and disco production.

Production Credits

Producer: Maurice White

Engineer: George Massenburg

Recorded at: Sunset Sound (Hollywood, CA)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Rogers DrumsShop on Reverb

Microphone: AKG D12Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a well-tuned drum kit with damped heads to control resonance.
Use close miking techniques on individual drums and overhead microphones for a balanced kit sound.
Experiment with different microphone placements to capture the desired attack and tone of each drum.
Apply compression to individual drums and the overall drum mix to enhance punch and sustain.
Use EQ to shape the tonal character of the drums, emphasizing clarity and presence.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Shure Beta 52AShop on Reverb$150-$200

Alternative to: AKG D12 kick drum microphone

Modern dynamic mic designed specifically for kick drums with similar frequency response to the D12, capturing that tight low-end punch

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57 snare/tom microphones

The exact same microphone model is still manufactured and remains the industry standard for snare drums

Audio-Technica AT4050Shop on Reverb$650-$750

Alternative to: Neumann U87 overhead microphones

Large diaphragm condenser that captures similar cymbal shimmer and overall kit ambience as the U87 at a more accessible price

Universal Audio 1176 Collection pluginPlugin Boutique$300-$400

Alternative to: George Massenburg's analog compression

Emulates the fast attack analog compression used to tighten drums in 70s productions

Remo Pinstripe drum headsShop on Reverb$25-$35

Alternative to: Rogers drums with controlled resonance

Built-in dampening ring creates the controlled, tight sound similar to the blanket-dampened Rogers kit

Rode PodMic pairShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Zildjian cymbals overhead sound

Budget-friendly dynamic mics that can capture overhead cymbal sound with less room noise than condensers

Sources

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drums from “september” by earth, wind & fire | ToneDB