What drum kit did Stevie Wonder use on Living for the City?

Stevie Wonder used a Ludwig drum kit for the recording of "Living for the City." The kit was fitted with coated drumheads and carefully tuned to achieve a tight, punchy sound with minimal unwanted resonances.

How were the drums recorded on Living for the City?

The drums were recorded using close-miking techniques with microphones like the Neumann U67 placed on individual drum components, combined with room microphones to capture spatial depth. Engineers Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil used compression and EQ to shape the final drum sound.

What microphones were used on Stevie Wonder Living for the City drums?

The primary microphone mentioned for the drum recording was the Neumann U67, a vintage tube condenser microphone. Additional room microphones were also used to capture the ambient sound and add depth to the overall drum tone.

How to get that punchy 70s drum sound like Living for the City?

Focus on tight drum tuning with coated drumheads, use close-miking techniques for individual drums, and apply moderate compression to enhance attack while controlling sustain. Room microphones can add the spatial dimension that makes the drums sit well in the mix.

What studio was Living for the City recorded at?

"Living for the City" was recorded at Record Plant in Los Angeles. The studio's acoustics and monitoring, combined with the engineering expertise of Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, contributed to the song's distinctive drum sound.

What compressor was used on Living for the City drums?

Based on the era and studio practices, a Urei 1176 compressor was likely used to process the drums. This compressor was standard in professional studios of the early 1970s and provides the fast attack and smooth compression that enhances drum punch.

drums from "living for the city" by stevie wonder

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Tone Profile

The drums have a tight, punchy, and funky sound with a clear attack and a controlled resonance. They sit well in the mix, driving the rhythm with precision and complementing the other instruments.

Shop This Rig

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Ludwig Drum Kit(instrument)
Neumann U67(microphone)
Urei 1176(compressor)

The Story

The drums on "Living for the City" were recorded at Record Plant in Los Angeles by engineers Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, with Stevie Wonder producing. The sound was captured using close-miking techniques on a Ludwig drum kit with a Neumann U67, combined with room microphones for spatial depth. The drums were carefully tuned for a tight, controlled sound and processed with compression and EQ to enhance the attack while controlling sustain.

Production Credits

Producer: Stevie Wonder

Engineer: Robert Margouleff, Malcolm Cecil

Recorded at: Record Plant, Los Angeles

Signal Chain

Instrument: Ludwig Drum KitShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a well-tuned Ludwig drum kit with coated drumheads for a controlled sound.
Experiment with different microphone placements to capture the desired balance between attack, body, and room ambience.
Apply compression to tighten the drum sound and enhance the punch.
Use EQ to shape the drum tones, focusing on the frequencies that emphasize the attack and body of each drum.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$130

Alternative to: Neumann U67 tube condenser microphone

Budget-friendly dynamic mic that captures punchy drum attack with natural compression, perfect for close-miking snare and toms in this tight, controlled style

Audio-Technica AT4040Shop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Neumann U67 tube condenser microphone

Large-diaphragm condenser that provides similar warmth and detail to vintage tube mics for overhead and room miking applications

Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter PluginPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Urei 1176 compressor

Faithful emulation of the original 1176's fast attack and smooth compression that tightens drums and enhances punch

Warm Audio WA76Shop on Reverb$450-$500

Alternative to: Urei 1176 compressor

Hardware recreation of the 1176 circuit providing the same aggressive compression and colorful saturation for drum processing

Remo Coated Ambassador drumheadsShop on Reverb$15-$25

Alternative to: Ludwig drum kit with coated heads

Single-ply coated heads that provide the controlled resonance and punchy attack characteristic of early 70s drum sounds

Sources

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drums from “living for the city” by stevie wonder | ToneDB