drums from “new person, same old mistakes” by tame impala | ToneDB
new person, same old mistakes
tame impala
drums
Tone Profile
A punchy, compressed drum sound with a slightly lo-fi, vintage vibe, characterized by its tight low-end and crisp high-end. The drums are relatively dry, but with a hint of room ambience.
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The Story
The drums on "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" were recorded by Kevin Parker at his home studio in Fremantle, Western Australia. Parker typically employs close-miking techniques on his Ludwig drum kit and applies heavy compression to achieve the characteristic punchy, controlled sound that defines Tame Impala's drum production. The tight, lo-fi aesthetic comes from Parker's preference for minimal room ambience and aggressive processing that reduces dynamic range.
Production Credits
Producer: Kevin Parker
Engineer: Kevin Parker
Recorded at: Fremantle, Western Australia
Signal Chain
Instrument: Ludwig Drum KitShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb
Processing: Empirical Labs DistressorShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Ludwig-style drum kit for a similar fundamental tone.
- Use close miking techniques on each drum to capture a detailed sound.
- Apply heavy compression using a plugin like the Empirical Labs Distressor to achieve a punchy and controlled sound.
- Experiment with EQ to carve out unwanted frequencies and enhance the desired characteristics of each drum.
- Consider adding a touch of room reverb or ambience to create a sense of space.
Original Gear
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- Ludwig Drum KitShop on Reverb(drums)
- Neumann U87Shop on Reverb(mic)
- Empirical Labs DistressorShop on Reverb(compressor)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Ludwig Drum Kit
Provides the classic Ludwig warmth and punch that forms the foundation of Parker's drum sound
Alternative to: Neumann U87
Captures similar clarity and presence for close-miking drums with the U87's characteristic sound at a fraction of the cost
Alternative to: Empirical Labs Distressor
Delivers the aggressive, character-rich compression needed for that punchy, controlled Tame Impala drum sound
Alternative to: Empirical Labs Distressor
Provides smooth optical compression that can achieve similar punch and control for the drum bus
Alternative to: Close drum micing setup
Industry-standard dynamic mics perfect for close-miking individual drums to capture the detailed, punchy sound Parker achieves
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