drums from “killing in the name” by rage against the machine | ToneDB
killing in the name
rage against the machine
drums
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.
Shop This Rig
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
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 CustomShop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
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
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Substitutions & Recommendations
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
Alternative to: AKG D112 kick drum mic
Dynamic mic specifically designed for kick drums with similar punch and low-end response to the D112
Alternative to: Shure SM57 snare mic
The exact same microphone used on the original recording, still manufactured and widely available
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
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!