Tone Profile

Dry, punchy drums with a tight, controlled room sound. The focus is on clarity and articulation, with a distinct separation between the snare, kick, and toms, enhanced by gated reverb.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The drum sound on "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" is characterized by its dry, close-miked nature, a departure from the more ambient drum sounds of the time.
• Producer Phil Ramone was known for his meticulous approach to recording, emphasizing clarity and separation between instruments.
• The gated reverb effect, achieved using an Eventide Harmonizer, contributes to the drum's unique character, adding a tight, controlled ambience without excessive decay.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a well-tuned drum kit, focusing on achieving a tight, controlled sound.
• Use close-miking techniques to capture each drum individually, minimizing bleed and maximizing isolation.
• Experiment with gated reverb to add a subtle ambience without washing out the drum's clarity.
• Consider using a compressor to further tighten the drum sound and enhance its punch.
• Pay close attention to EQ, carving out frequencies to create separation between the drums and other instruments in the mix.

Recommended Gear

• Ludwig Drum Kit(drums)
• Neumann U67(mic)
• AKG D12(mic)
• Neumann KM84(mic)
• Eventide Harmonizer(pedal)