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drums from “killing in the name” by rage against the machine | ToneDB

killing in the name

rage against the machine

drums

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

Aggressive and punchy rock drums with a tight, dry sound and impactful attack. This tone emphasizes clarity and power, cutting through the mix with authority.

Gear

Yamaha Recording Custominstrument
Reverb$704Sweetwater
Shure SM57microphone
ReverbSweetwater
AKG D112mic
ReverbSweetwater
Neumann U87mic
ReverbSweetwater
Zildjian A Customdrums
Reverb$229Sweetwater

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The Story

The drums on "Killing in the Name" were recorded at Sound City Studios with Garth Richardson producing and Stan Katayama engineering. The track features Brad Wilk's Yamaha Recording Custom kit, which was close-miked using SM57s on snare and AKG D112 on kick drum, with Neumann U87s as overheads. The tight, punchy sound was achieved through careful drum tuning and likely some kick drum dampening, with the resulting tracks mixed to emphasize attack and clarity to cut through Rage's dense, aggressive arrangements.

Production Credits

Producer: Garth Richardson

Engineer: Stan Katayama

Recorded at: Sound City Studios, Los Angeles

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha Recording Custom

Microphone: Shure SM57

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a well-tuned drum kit, focusing on achieving a tight and punchy sound from the kick and snare drums.
  • Use close-miking techniques with microphones like the Shure SM57 on the snare and AKG D112 on the kick drum.
  • Experiment with dampening techniques on the kick drum to achieve the desired level of tightness and punch.
  • Use overhead microphones, such as Neumann U87s, to capture the overall kit sound, focusing on a balanced and clear representation of the cymbals and drums.
  • In the mixing stage, use EQ to shape the individual drum sounds, emphasizing the attack and clarity of each element.
  • Apply compression to enhance the sustain and impact of the drums, ensuring they cut through the mix with authority.

Original Gear

  • Yamaha Recording Custom(drums)
  • Shure SM57(mic)
  • AKG D112(mic)
  • Neumann U87(mic)
  • Zildjian A Custom(drums)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Audio-Technica AT4040 Condenser Microphone$300-$400

Alternative to: Neumann U87 overhead mics

Large diaphragm condenser that captures cymbals with similar clarity and brightness as the U87s, at a fraction of the cost

ReverbSweetwater
Shure Beta 52A$150-$200

Alternative to: AKG D112 kick drum mic

Dynamic mic specifically designed for kick drums with similar punch and low-end response to the D112

ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57$100-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57 snare mic

The exact same microphone used on the original recording, still manufactured and widely available

ReverbSweetwater
Slate Digital Virtual Mix Rack$200-$300

Alternative to: Sound City Studios console/processing

Includes analog console modeling and vintage compressors that can recreate the punchy, compressed drum sound of early 90s rock productions

ReverbSweetwater
Yamaha Stage Custom Birch$600-$800

Alternative to: Yamaha Recording Custom drums

More affordable Yamaha kit with similar birch construction that delivers the punchy, focused sound characteristics of the Recording Custom series

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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