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drums from “yyz” by rush | ToneDB

yyz

rush

drums

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

The drums have a tight, punchy sound with a good amount of clarity and attack, typical of Neil Peart's signature sound. The snare is particularly prominent, with a crisp and cutting tone, while the kick drum provides a solid, driving foundation.

Gear

Tama Superstarinstrument
Reverb$375Sweetwater
AKG D12microphone
ReverbSweetwater
Neumann U87mic
ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57mic
ReverbSweetwater
AKG C451mic
ReverbSweetwater

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The Story

Neil Peart's drum sound on "YYZ" was recorded at Le Studio in Quebec with producer Terry Brown and engineer Paul Northfield. The track features Peart's Tama Superstar kit captured with a combination of close mics including AKG D12 on kick, Shure SM57 on snare, and overhead mics like the AKG C451. The tight, punchy sound comes from meticulous drum tuning and careful microphone placement, with compression and EQ applied during mixing to enhance the clarity and attack that became Neil's signature sound.

Production Credits

Producer: Terry Brown

Engineer: Paul Northfield

Recorded at: Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec

Signal Chain

Instrument: Tama Superstar

Microphone: AKG D12

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a well-tuned drum kit, paying close attention to the snare drum's tuning.
  • Experiment with different microphone placements to find the sweet spot for each drum.
  • Use compression and EQ to shape the drum sounds and enhance their impact.
  • Pay attention to the overall balance of the kit in the mix, ensuring that each drum is audible and contributes to the overall sound.

Original Gear

  • Tama Superstar(drums)
  • AKG D12(mic)
  • Neumann U87(mic)
  • Shure SM57(mic)
  • AKG C451(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Shure Beta 52A$150-$200

Alternative to: AKG D12 kick drum mic

Provides similar punchy low-end response and attack capture for kick drums with modern reliability

ReverbSweetwater
Audio-Technica AT4050$400-$500

Alternative to: Neumann U87 overhead mic

Large diaphragm condenser that captures kit ambience and cymbals with clarity similar to the U87 at a lower price point

ReverbSweetwater
Rode M5 Matched Pair$200-$250

Alternative to: AKG C451 overhead/room mic

Small diaphragm condensers that provide crisp overhead capture with the clarity and attack needed for this tight drum sound

ReverbSweetwater
Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch$1200-$2000

Alternative to: Tama Superstar drum kit

Modern Tama kit with similar shell construction and tone characteristics to achieve that punchy, articulate sound

ReverbSweetwater
Universal Audio 1176 Collection Plugin$300-$400

Alternative to: Analog console compression

Emulates the fast attack compression used on Peart's drums for that tight, controlled punch and sustain

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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