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drums from “1979” by the smashing pumpkins | ToneDB

1979

the smashing pumpkins

drums

85% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A driving, yet slightly muffled and compressed drum sound with a blend of electronic and acoustic elements. It has a punchy low-end, a crisp snare, and a slightly muted cymbal presence.

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The Story

The drums on "1979" feature a distinctive blend of acoustic drums from a Ludwig kit and electronic elements from a Roland TR-808 drum machine. The track was recorded at Pumpkinland studio in Chicago, produced by Alan Moulder and engineered by Butch Vig. Heavy compression, particularly a Urei 1176 on the snare, created the tight, punchy sound that cuts through the mix, while the kick drum was achieved by layering the acoustic Ludwig kick with the 808 kick for both depth and punch.

Production Credits

Producer: Alan Moulder

Engineer: Butch Vig

Recorded at: Pumpkinland, Chicago

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a tight-sounding acoustic drum kit, focusing on a well-tuned snare drum.
  • Layer a Roland TR-808 kick drum with the acoustic kick drum, adjusting the levels to find the right balance of punch and depth.
  • Use a compressor, such as a Urei 1176, on the snare to achieve a snappy and punchy sound.
  • Experiment with EQ to shape the overall drum tone, cutting unnecessary low-end rumble and boosting frequencies to enhance the attack and clarity of each drum.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Roland TR-8SPlugin Boutique$450-500

Alternative to: Roland TR-808

Modern Roland drum machine with authentic 808 samples and the ability to layer with acoustic drums just like the original recording

Arturia DrumBrute ImpactPlugin Boutique$250-300

Alternative to: Roland TR-808

Analog drum machine with punchy kick sounds that can replicate the electronic layer needed for this tone at a lower price point

Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter PluginPlugin Boutique$150-200

Alternative to: Urei 1176 compressor

Authentic emulation of the original 1176 hardware used on the snare for that signature tight, compressed punch

Warm Audio WA76Shop on Reverb$450-500

Alternative to: Urei 1176 compressor

Hardware recreation of the 1176 that provides the same aggressive compression characteristics for the snare drum

Ludwig Classic Maple seriesShop on Reverb$800-1200

Alternative to: Ludwig Drum Kit

Modern Ludwig kit that maintains the fundamental sound character of vintage Ludwig drums used on the original recording

Native Instruments Battery 4Plugin Boutique$150-200

Alternative to: Roland TR-808

Software drum sampler with high-quality 808 samples that can be easily layered with acoustic drums in modern DAWs

Sources

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