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drums from “bohemian rhapsody” by queen | ToneDB

bohemian rhapsody

queen

drums

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Tone Profile

The drum sound is characterized by its massive, roomy, and slightly muffled quality, contributing to the song's epic and dramatic atmosphere. It's a sound that's both powerful and controlled, providing a solid foundation for the complex arrangement.

Gear

Ludwig Super Classicinstrument
Reverb$575Sweetwater
Neumann U67microphone
ReverbSweetwater
AKG C12mic
ReverbSweetwater

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The Story

Roger Taylor's drum sound on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was recorded at multiple studios including Sarm, Roundhouse, Scorpio Sound, and Rockfield Studios. The kit was a Ludwig Super Classic, recorded with a combination of close and room mics including Neumann U67 and AKG C12 microphones. Producer Roy Thomas Baker and engineer Mike Stone achieved the massive, roomy sound through careful microphone placement and the use of the Glyn Johns recording technique.

Production Credits

Producer: Roy Thomas Baker

Engineer: Mike Stone

Recorded at: Sarm Studios, Roundhouse Studios, Scorpio Sound, Rockfield Studios

Signal Chain

Instrument: Ludwig Super Classic

Microphone: Neumann U67

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Ludwig Super Classic drum kit, or a similar vintage kit known for its warm and resonant tone.
  • Use a combination of close mics (such as Neumann U67 on snare and toms) and room mics (such as AKG C12) to capture both the detail and the ambience of the kit.
  • Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot for your room.
  • Consider using the Glyn Johns method for an authentic vintage drum sound.
  • Use compression sparingly to maintain the natural dynamics of the kit.
  • Add a touch of reverb to enhance the room ambience, but be careful not to overdo it.
  • EQ the drums to taste, but aim for a balanced and natural sound.

Original Gear

  • Ludwig Super Classic(drums)
  • Neumann U67(mic)
  • AKG C12(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Ludwig Classic Maple$1,200-$2,000

Alternative to: Ludwig Super Classic drum kit

Modern Ludwig kit with similar shell construction and warm, resonant tone characteristics of the vintage Super Classic

ReverbSweetwater
Slate Digital VMS ML-1 with U67 modeling$999

Alternative to: Neumann U67 microphone

Modeling microphone system that recreates the U67's tube warmth and character used on Taylor's close mics

ReverbSweetwater
AKG C414 XLS$1,099

Alternative to: AKG C12 microphone

Modern successor to the C12 with similar large-diaphragm characteristics for room miking

ReverbSweetwater
UAD Neve 1073 Collection$299

Alternative to: Glyn Johns recording technique and vintage console

Emulates the EQ and preamp character of vintage consoles used during the Bohemian Rhapsody sessions

ReverbSweetwater
Eventide Tverb$179

Alternative to: Studio room ambience

Recreates the natural room reverb and spatial characteristics of the multiple studios used

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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