What drum machine did New Order use on Blue Monday?

New Order used an Oberheim DMX drum machine to create the drum sounds on "Blue Monday." The DMX was a popular digital drum machine in the early 1980s known for its synthetic, punchy sound that became synonymous with the era.

How do you get the gated reverb sound on Blue Monday drums?

The gated reverb on "Blue Monday" was created using an AMS DMX 15-80S delay unit. To recreate this, apply reverb to your drums and then use a noise gate or tremolo effect to cut the reverb tail short, creating that characteristic '80s chopped-off reverb sound.

Where was Blue Monday by New Order recorded?

"Blue Monday" was recorded at Britannia Row Studios in London. The studio was known for its high-end equipment and was a popular choice for many influential artists during the 1980s.

What makes the Blue Monday drum sound so distinctive?

The distinctive drum sound comes from the combination of the Oberheim DMX's synthetic, digital samples and heavy processing including gated reverb. This created a cold, precise, and punchy sound that was very different from acoustic drums and became iconic of early '80s electronic music.

Can you recreate Blue Monday drums without vintage gear?

Yes, you can recreate the "Blue Monday" drum sound using modern equipment. Use DMX samples or similar synthetic drum sounds, then apply gated reverb using modern reverb plugins or pedals. Many sample packs and drum machines specifically include DMX-style sounds for this purpose.

drums from "blue monday" by new order

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Tone Profile

The drum sound is synthetic, cold, and precise, forming the rhythmic backbone of the track. It's characterized by its heavy gated reverb and electronic tonality, which creates a stark and driving feel.

Shop This Rig

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Oberheim DMX(instrument)
AMS RMX16(pedal)

The Story

The iconic drums on New Order's "Blue Monday" were created using an Oberheim DMX drum machine processed through an AMS DMX 15-80S delay unit (not the RMX16 as sometimes reported) to create the characteristic gated reverb effect. The track was recorded at Britannia Row Studios in London, with the DMX providing the cold, synthetic drum sounds that became central to the song's driving rhythm.

Production Credits

Producer: Unknown

Engineer: Unknown

Recorded at: Britannia Row Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Oberheim DMXShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a drum machine like the Oberheim DMX or a similar-sounding sample pack.
Apply heavy gated reverb, experimenting with short decay times to achieve that characteristic '80s sound.
Use EQ to enhance the attack of the kick and snare, making them cut through the mix.
Consider using a compressor to further tighten the drum sounds and make them more consistent.

Original Gear

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Oberheim DMXShop on Reverb(drums)
AMS RMX16Shop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Arturia DrumBrute ImpactShop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Oberheim DMX drum machine

Analog drum machine with punchy, synthetic sounds and built-in distortion that can recreate the DMX's cold, electronic character

Elektron DigitaktShop on Reverb$750-$850

Alternative to: Oberheim DMX drum machine

Modern sampler/drum machine with excellent DMX samples available and powerful onboard effects for processing

Strymon FlintShop on Reverb$280-$320

Alternative to: AMS DMX 15-80S delay for gated reverb

High-quality reverb pedal with '80s Hall setting and tremolo that can recreate gated reverb effects when used creatively

FabFilter Pro-RPlugin Boutique$200-$250

Alternative to: AMS DMX 15-80S delay for gated reverb

Professional reverb plugin with excellent gated reverb presets and precise control over decay and gating parameters

Native Instruments Battery 4Plugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Oberheim DMX samples

Drum sampler plugin that includes authentic DMX samples and extensive processing capabilities for that synthetic '80s sound

Sources

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drums from “blue monday” by new order | ToneDB