Tone Profile

The drum sound in "Mr. Blue Sky" is characterized by its tight, punchy, and somewhat synthetic quality, blending acoustic drums with electronic elements. It's a very produced sound, contributing to the song's overall bright and polished aesthetic.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The drum sound is a blend of acoustic drums and electronic drum machines, typical of ELO's production style.
• Compression and gating were heavily used to create the tight, controlled sound.
• The acoustic drums may have been recorded in a controlled studio environment to minimize unwanted room ambience.
• Layering acoustic drums with the LinnDrum added depth and complexity to the drum track.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a Ludwig drum kit as a base.
• Use a combination of close-miking and overhead miking techniques to capture the kit.
• Apply heavy compression using a Urei 1176 to achieve a punchy sound.
• Use a Kepex noise gate to remove unwanted noise and tighten up the drum hits.
• Layer in sounds from a LinnDrum or similar drum machine to add electronic elements.
• Experiment with EQ to further shape the drum sound and blend the acoustic and electronic elements.

Recommended Gear

• Ludwig Drum Kit(drums)
• Neumann U47(mic)
• Urei 1176(compressor)
• Kepex Noise Gate(pedal)
• LinnDrum(drums)