What drums did Dave Grohl use on Territorial Pissings?

Dave Grohl used a Ludwig drum kit during the Nevermind sessions at Sound City Studios. The specific model details haven't been widely documented, but Ludwig kits were his primary choice during this era.

How to get Dave Grohl's drum sound on Nevermind?

Focus on minimal processing and natural room sound - use overhead mics to capture kit balance, avoid heavy compression, and prioritize the natural attack and decay of the drums. The key is balancing direct sound with room ambience.

What studio was Territorial Pissings recorded at?

The song was recorded at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, with producer Butch Vig. The studio's large room and natural acoustics contributed significantly to the drum sound's character.

What mics were used on Nirvana Nevermind drums?

Neumann U87 microphones were among the mics used during the Nevermind sessions. The exact microphone setup hasn't been fully detailed, but the approach emphasized capturing room sound alongside direct drum signals.

How to record drums like Butch Vig?

Butch Vig's approach on Nevermind emphasized live energy and natural room sound. Use minimal overdubs, focus on microphone placement for room ambience, and avoid over-processing to maintain the raw, aggressive character.

drums from "territorial pissings" by nirvana

territorial pissings

nirvana

drums

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Tone Profile

Aggressive and raw, this drum sound features a clangy snare, boomy kick, and overall trashy character, contributing to the song's chaotic energy. The kit sounds like it's in a large room with a good amount of natural reverb.

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Ludwig Drum Kit(instrument)
Neumann U87(microphone)

The Story

The drums on "Territorial Pissings" were tracked at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, CA, with producer Butch Vig engineering. The recording utilized minimal overdubs to capture the live energy, with microphone placement focused on balancing direct drum sound with the studio's natural room ambience. The raw, aggressive character was achieved by avoiding heavy compression or processing, letting the drums breathe naturally in the large room space.

Production Credits

Producer: Butch Vig

Engineer: Andy Wallace

Recorded at: Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, CA

Signal Chain

Instrument: Ludwig Drum KitShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a Ludwig drum kit or similar vintage kit with a focus on a bright snare and boomy kick drum.
Experiment with microphone placement to capture a balance between direct sound and room ambience.
Avoid excessive compression or processing to retain the natural and raw character of the drum sound.