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.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The drum sound on '1979' is a blend of live drums and electronic drum machine sounds, primarily a Roland TR-808. This combination creates the song's signature rhythm.
• Compression was heavily used, particularly on the snare drum, to give it a tight, punchy sound that cuts through the mix.
• The kick drum sound was likely achieved by layering the acoustic kick with the 808 kick to provide both depth and punch.

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.

Recommended Gear

• Ludwig Drum Kit(drums)
• Roland TR-808(drums)
• Shure SM57(mic)
• Urei 1176(compressor)