What drums did Genesis use on Land of Confusion?

Genesis used a combination of acoustic drums (Gretsch kit) and Simmons SDS-V electronic drums on 'Land of Confusion'. This blend of acoustic and electronic elements was typical of 1980s production.

How do you get 80s gated reverb drum sound like Genesis?

The classic 80s gated reverb sound was achieved using an AMS RMX16 reverb unit with a short reverb time and hard gate. The effect creates a dramatic reverb that cuts off abruptly rather than naturally decaying.

Who produced Genesis Land of Confusion?

Hugh Padgham produced and engineered 'Land of Confusion' at The Farm studio in Surrey. Padgham was known for pioneering the gated reverb technique that became synonymous with 80s drum sounds.

What is the AMS RMX16 reverb unit?

The AMS RMX16 was a digital reverb unit widely used in 1980s recordings. It became famous for its gated reverb programs that created the tight, punchy drum sounds heard on countless hits of the era.

How to recreate Genesis drum sound with modern gear?

Start with close-miked acoustic drums, layer in electronic drum samples, then apply gated reverb using an AMS RMX16 plugin or similar. Use SSL-style EQ and compression to achieve the tight, controlled sound characteristic of the original.

drums from "land of confusion" by genesis

land of confusion

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Tone Profile

A gated reverb drum sound that is punchy and synthetic. It's a hallmark of 1980s pop/rock production, characterized by its tight, controlled decay and impactful attack.

Shop This Rig

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Simmons SDS-V(instrument)
AMS RMX16(processing)
SSL 4000 G+ Console(processing)
Gretsch Drum Kit(drums)
Neumann U47(mic)

The Story

The drum sound on Genesis's 'Land of Confusion' combines acoustic drums and Simmons SDS-V electronic drums, engineered by Hugh Padgham at The Farm in Surrey. The signature gated reverb effect was achieved using the AMS RMX16 reverb unit, a technique Padgham pioneered. The SSL 4000 G+ console provided EQ, compression, and gating to create the tight, punchy 80s character that became a hallmark of the era.

Production Credits

Producer: Hugh Padgham

Engineer: Hugh Padgham

Recorded at: The Farm, Surrey

Signal Chain

Instrument: Simmons SDS-VShop on Reverb

Processing: AMS RMX16Shop on Reverb, SSL 4000 G+ ConsoleShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a clean drum kit recording, preferably with close mics on each drum and overheads for ambience.
Layer in samples from a Simmons SDS-V or similar electronic drum kit to add a synthetic element to the sound.
Apply gated reverb using a plugin that emulates the AMS RMX16, focusing on a short reverb time and a hard gate to create the gated effect.
Use an SSL-style EQ to sculpt the individual drum sounds, boosting the low end for punch and the high end for snap.
Apply compression and gating to tighten up the sound and further control the decay of the drums.
Experiment with different blend levels between the acoustic drums, electronic drums, and reverb to find the right balance for your track.

Original Gear

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Simmons SDS-VShop on Reverb(drums)
Gretsch Drum KitShop on Reverb(drums)
AMS RMX16Shop on Reverb(pedal)
SSL 4000 G+ ConsoleShop on Reverb(channel_strip)
Neumann U47Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Pearl Mimic ProPlugin Boutique$400-$500

Alternative to: Simmons SDS-V

Includes authentic 80s electronic drum samples and Simmons-style sounds perfect for recreating the synthetic layer

FabFilter Pro-RPlugin Boutique$200-$250

Alternative to: AMS RMX16

Features a dedicated gated reverb algorithm that can recreate the classic 80s gated verb sound with precise control

Solid State Logic SiXShop on Reverb$1,800-$2,000

Alternative to: SSL 4000 G+ Console

Provides authentic SSL console sound with the same EQ and compression character for drum processing

UAD AMS RMX16 Digital ReverbPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: AMS RMX16

Exact emulation of the original hardware unit used on the recording with authentic gated reverb presets

Waves SSL 4000 CollectionPlugin Boutique$30-$50