Tone Profile

The drums have a tight, dry sound with a focused attack, characteristic of 1970s/80s rock recordings, but with more upper mid frequencies emphasized. The overall vibe is punchy and controlled, fitting perfectly within the band's signature reggae-influenced rock sound.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Stewart Copeland is known for his distinct, crisp drumming style and tight control over the kit, using rimshots and cross-sticking to create a unique sound.
• The drum sound features a close-mic setup on individual drums to capture the direct attack and minimize spill, ensuring clarity and separation.
• Compression applied to each drum element helps control the dynamics and sustain, creating a consistent and punchy sound.
• Short, tight room reverb or ambience added to the overall drum mix to create a sense of space without washing out the clarity and impact.
• EQ is used to shape the individual drum tones, focusing on enhancing the attack and presence of the snare, kick, and toms to cut through the mix effectively.

Recreation Tips

• Use a Tama Superstar drum kit or similar maple-shelled kit for a comparable tonal foundation.
• Opt for coated drumheads on the snare and toms to dampen sustain and focus the attack.
• Tune the drums slightly higher to achieve a tight, resonant sound with a clear fundamental pitch.
• Experiment with close-miking techniques, placing microphones a few inches from the drumheads, to capture the direct sound and minimize bleed.
• Apply compression to individual drum tracks to control dynamics and enhance sustain, aiming for a punchy and consistent sound.
• Use a short, tight room reverb or plate reverb to add a subtle sense of space and ambience without washing out the clarity of the drums.
• Apply EQ to enhance the attack and presence of the snare, kick, and toms, focusing on frequencies between 2kHz and 5kHz for added cut and clarity.
• Experiment with gate settings to further tighten up the drum sounds, reducing sustain and minimizing unwanted noise or spill.

Recommended Gear

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