drums from “smells like teen spirit” by nirvana | ToneDB
smells like teen spirit
nirvana
drums
Tone Profile
This drum sound is characterized by its raw, powerful, and slightly trashy nature, providing a driving force behind the iconic grunge anthem. It's a sound that balances energy with a sense of decay.
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The Story
The drums on "Smells Like Teen Spirit" were recorded by Butch Vig at Sound City Studios using Dave Grohl's Ludwig drum kit. The setup combined close mics like the Shure SM57 on snare with room mics including a Neumann U87 to capture the natural ambience of Sound City's famous live room. Neve 1073 preamps provided warmth and character, while the recording maintained a raw, unpolished aesthetic that became synonymous with grunge production.
Production Credits
Producer: Butch Vig
Engineer: Butch Vig
Recorded at: Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, CA
Signal Chain
Instrument: Ludwig Drum KitShop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Ludwig drum kit, similar to what Chad Channing and Dave Grohl used.
- Use a combination of close miking (e.g., Shure SM57 on snare) and ambient miking (e.g., Neumann U87 as a room mic).
- Consider using a Neve 1073 preamp to add warmth and color to the drum tracks.
- Experiment with compression to enhance the punchiness of the drums, but avoid over-compression to retain the raw, natural feel.
- Pay attention to tuning; a slightly detuned or loose snare can contribute to the grunge aesthetic.
- The recording space plays a role; a room with natural reverb can enhance the spaciousness of the drum sound.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Ludwig Drum Kit
Modern Ludwig kit with similar maple shells and resonant characteristics to achieve that punchy, warm grunge drum tone
Alternative to: Shure SM57
The exact same mic model still in production - unchanged design perfect for capturing that aggressive snare attack
Alternative to: Neumann U87
Large diaphragm condenser that captures room ambience similarly to the U87 but at a more accessible price point
Alternative to: Neve 1073
Faithful recreation of the 1073 circuit providing the same warmth and harmonic saturation in 500-series format
Alternative to: Neve 1073
Software emulation of the exact preamp used on the recording, great for adding that Neve color to already recorded drums
Alternative to: Sound City Studios Room
Can recreate the natural room ambience crucial to this drum sound with vintage-style reverb algorithms
Sources
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