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drums from “paranoid android” by radiohead | ToneDB

paranoid android

radiohead

drums

AI generatedv1.0

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.

Gear

Ludwig Drum Kitinstrument
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Neumann U47microphone
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Shure SM57mic
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Empirical Labs Distressorcompressor
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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 Kit

Microphone: Neumann U47

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

  • Ludwig Drum Kit(drums)
  • Neumann U47(mic)
  • Shure SM57(mic)
  • Empirical Labs Distressor(compressor)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Ludwig Classic Maple Series$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

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Warm Audio WA-47$900-$1000

Alternative to: Neumann U47

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

ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57$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

ReverbSweetwater
Empirical Labs Distressor EL8-X$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

ReverbSweetwater
Plugin Alliance Empirical Labs Distressor$150-$200

Alternative to: Empirical Labs Distressor

Official plugin version of the hardware unit, offering the same compression characteristics for modern DAW workflows

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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