What drums did Clive Burr use on Run to the Hills?

Clive Burr used a Premier drum kit on "Run to the Hills" during the Number of the Beast recording sessions. Premier was known for their birch shell construction which provided the tight, punchy sound characteristic of early 80s metal.

How to get Iron Maiden Run to the Hills drum sound?

Focus on tight, high-tuned drums with close-miking using dynamic mics on kick and snare, condensers for overheads. Use moderate compression to enhance attack and punch while maintaining clarity, and EQ to emphasize the midrange punch that cuts through heavy guitars.

What mics were used on Iron Maiden Number of the Beast drums?

The drums were recorded using AKG D12 on kick drum, Shure SM57s on snare, and Neumann U87s as overhead mics at Battery Studios. This combination provided both the tight punch and overall kit presence heard on the album.

Who produced Iron Maiden Run to the Hills?

Martin Birch produced "Run to the Hills" and the entire Number of the Beast album. Birch was known for his work with hard rock and metal bands and helped create the signature drum sounds of early 80s metal.

How were Iron Maiden drums recorded in 1982?

The drums were recorded at Battery Studios in London using traditional close-miking techniques with a combination of dynamic and condenser microphones. The drums were tuned tight and high, with compression and EQ applied during mixing to enhance the punchy, controlled sound.

drums from "run to the hills" by iron maiden

run to the hills

iron maiden

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Tone Profile

This drum sound is characterized by a tight, punchy attack with a controlled sustain, capturing the energy and aggression of the performance. It aims for a balance between clarity and impact, suitable for driving a fast-paced, anthemic rock song.

Shop This Rig

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

The Story

Clive Burr's drum sound on "Run to the Hills" was recorded at Battery Studios in London with producer/engineer Martin Birch. The kit was reportedly miked with a combination of close mics including AKG D12 on kick and Shure SM57s on snare, with Neumann U87s used as overheads. The Premier drums were tuned relatively tight and high to achieve the punchy, controlled sound that drives the track's galloping rhythm.

Production Credits

Producer: Martin Birch

Engineer: Martin Birch

Recorded at: Battery Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Premier DrumsShop on Reverb

Microphone: AKG D12Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a well-tuned drum kit, focusing on achieving a tight and punchy sound.
Experiment with microphone placement to capture the desired balance between attack and sustain.
Use compression sparingly to enhance the punch and impact of the drums without sacrificing clarity.
Consider using EQ to further shape the drum sound, focusing on boosting the frequencies that contribute to the attack and clarity of each drum.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Shure Beta 52AShop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: AKG D12 kick drum mic

Provides similar tight, punchy low-end response to the D12 with strong attack characteristics perfect for metal kick drums

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57 snare mic

The exact same mic used on the original recording - still the industry standard for snare drums with its midrange punch and presence

Audio-Technica AT4040Shop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Neumann U87 overhead mics

Large diaphragm condenser that captures cymbal brightness and kit ambience similar to the U87 at a more accessible price point

Pearl Export SeriesShop on Reverb$500-$700

Alternative to: Premier drum kit

Birch shells like Premier used, can be tuned tight and high for similar punchy attack and controlled sustain

Slate Digital Trigger 2 PlatinumPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Battery Studios drum room sound

Includes samples of classic 80s metal drum sounds that can replicate the tight, punchy characteristics of this era

Sources

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drums from “run to the hills” by iron maiden | ToneDB