What drums did Phil Selway use on Paranoid Android?

Phil Selway used a Ludwig drum kit for the recording of "Paranoid Android" at Abbey Road Studios. The specific model details haven't been widely documented, but Ludwig kits were his primary choice during this period.

How to get Radiohead Paranoid Android drum sound?

Start with a well-tuned drum kit with fresh heads, use close-miking with SM57s on snare/toms and condenser mics for overheads. Apply fast-attack compression like a Distressor to tighten the sound while maintaining natural dynamics, and consider gating to control bleed.

What mics were used on Paranoid Android drums?

The drums were recorded using a combination of Neumann U47 and Shure SM57 microphones. The U47s likely captured overheads and room ambience while the SM57s were used for close-miking individual drums.

Who produced Paranoid Android by Radiohead?

"Paranoid Android" was produced and engineered by Nigel Godrich at Abbey Road Studios. Godrich became Radiohead's longtime collaborator and was instrumental in developing their distinctive sound during this era.

What compressor was used on Paranoid Android drums?

An Empirical Labs Distressor was used to compress the drums on "Paranoid Android." This compressor helped tighten the overall drum sound and enhanced the punch of the kick and snare while preserving the natural acoustic character.

drums from "paranoid android" by radiohead

paranoid android

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Tone Profile

A tight, punchy, and somewhat dry drum sound with a clear attack and controlled sustain. It has a modern rock vibe but retains a natural acoustic quality.

Shop This Rig

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Ludwig Drum Kit(instrument)
Neumann U47(microphone)
Shure SM57(mic)
Empirical Labs Distressor(compressor)

The Story

The drum sound on Radiohead's "Paranoid Android" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and produced/engineered by Nigel Godrich. The sound was captured using a Ludwig drum kit with a combination of close-miking techniques, including Neumann U47 and Shure SM57 microphones. An Empirical Labs Distressor compressor was used to tighten the overall sound and enhance the punch of the kick and snare while maintaining the natural acoustic quality of the kit.

Production Credits

Producer: Nigel Godrich

Engineer: Nigel Godrich

Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios

Signal Chain

Instrument: Ludwig Drum KitShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U47Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a well-tuned drum kit with new heads to ensure a clear and resonant tone.
Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot for each drum, focusing on capturing a balanced and focused sound.
Use a fast attack and moderate release on the compressor to control the dynamics and add punch without sacrificing naturalness.
Consider using a gate to further tighten the sound and reduce any unwanted bleed or room noise.

Original Gear

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Ludwig Drum KitShop on Reverb(drums)
Neumann U47Shop on Reverb(mic)
Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)
Empirical Labs DistressorShop on Reverb(compressor)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Ludwig Classic Maple SeriesShop on Reverb$1500-$2500

Alternative to: Ludwig Drum Kit

Modern Ludwig kit that maintains the same warm, punchy character as vintage Ludwig drums used on the recording

Warm Audio WA-47Shop on Reverb$900-$1000

Alternative to: Neumann U47

Tube condenser mic that captures the same vintage warmth and presence for overheads and room mics

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57

The exact same mic model still manufactured today, perfect for close-miking snare and toms with that characteristic midrange punch

Empirical Labs Distressor EL8-XShop on Reverb$1800-$2000

Alternative to: Empirical Labs Distressor

The current version of the same compressor, providing the fast attack and controlled dynamics that tighten the drum sound

Plugin Alliance Empirical Labs DistressorPlugin Boutique$150-$200