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drums from “lithium” by nirvana | ToneDB

lithium

nirvana

drums

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A raw and powerful, yet somewhat controlled, drum sound with a good balance of attack and sustain. The drums are punchy and present without being overly aggressive, fitting the dynamic shifts of the song.

Gear

Ludwig Drum Kitinstrument
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Neumann U87microphone
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Shure SM57mic
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The Story

The drum sound on Nirvana's "Lithium" was recorded by Butch Vig at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin, using Dave Grohl's Ludwig kit. The recording utilized a combination of close-miking with Shure SM57s on individual drums and Neumann U87s as overheads, plus room mics to capture the ambient space. The kick drum was dampened to control sustain and emphasize attack, while subtle compression was used to enhance the overall punch and control dynamics.

Production Credits

Producer: Butch Vig

Engineer: Butch Vig

Recorded at: Smart Studios (Madison, WI)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Ludwig Drum Kit

Microphone: Neumann U87

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a well-tuned drum kit, focusing on a balanced and resonant sound.
  • Experiment with different microphone placements to find the right balance of direct sound and room ambience.
  • Use subtle compression to control dynamics and enhance the overall punch of the drums.
  • Consider using EQ to shape the tone of individual drums and create a cohesive sound.
  • Use samples of similar-sounding drum kits for reference, and be prepared to make adjustments to your recording and mixing techniques to achieve the desired result.

Original Gear

  • Ludwig Drum Kit(drums)
  • Neumann U87(mic)
  • Shure SM57(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Ludwig Classic Maple 4-Piece Shell Pack$1200-$1500

Alternative to: Ludwig Drum Kit

Matches the tonal characteristics of Dave Grohl's original Ludwig kit with maple shells that provide the warm, punchy sound heard on Lithium

ReverbSweetwater
Audio-Technica AT4050$350-$400

Alternative to: Neumann U87

Multi-pattern condenser mic that captures overhead cymbal detail and room ambience like the original U87 at a more accessible price point

ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57$90-$110

Alternative to: Shure SM57

The exact same dynamic mic used for close-miking individual drums, still manufactured and essential for that direct, punchy drum sound

ReverbSweetwater
Steven Slate Drums 5$149-$199

Alternative to: Smart Studios room sound

Includes samples recorded with vintage Neve consoles and similar mic techniques to recreate that controlled room ambience and punch

ReverbSweetwater
Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter Plugin$199-$299

Alternative to: Butch Vig's compression technique

Provides the subtle compression characteristics used to enhance punch and control dynamics on the original recording

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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