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.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The drum sound in 'Land of Confusion' is a blend of acoustic drums and Simmons electronic drums, a common practice in the 1980s.
• The gated reverb effect was achieved using an AMS RMX16 reverb unit, a technique popularized by Hugh Padgham.
• The SSL console was used for EQ, compression, and gating to further shape the drum sounds and create the signature tight and punchy character.
• Phil Collins's drumming style, known for its precision and power, is a key component of the song's drum sound.

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)