drums from “hard to explain” by the strokes | ToneDB
hard to explain
the strokes
drums
Tone Profile
The drums have a tight, punchy, and slightly lo-fi sound, characterized by a dry attack and minimal sustain. The overall vibe is raw and energetic, fitting the band's signature garage rock aesthetic.
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The Story
The drums on "Hard to Explain" were recorded at Transporterraum in NYC, with producer Gordon Raphael. The tight, lo-fi drum sound was achieved using close-miking techniques on a Ludwig drum kit, with a Neumann U47 being one of the mics used in the setup. The raw, garage rock aesthetic came from the band's preference for a stripped-down recording approach that emphasized punch over polish.
Production Credits
Producer: Gordon Raphael
Engineer: Tchad Blake
Recorded at: Transporterraum, NYC
Signal Chain
Instrument: Ludwig Drum KitShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U47Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a well-tuned Ludwig drum kit, focusing on a tight and controlled sound.
- Use close-miking techniques to capture the individual drums with clarity.
- Experiment with compression to achieve a punchy and defined sound.
- Consider using a touch of EQ to further shape the tone and remove any unwanted frequencies.
- Mix the drums with a slightly lo-fi aesthetic to capture the raw energy of the original recording.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Ludwig drum kit
Modern Ludwig kit that delivers the same punchy, controlled sound characteristics that made the original recordings so tight and defined
Alternative to: Neumann U47
Faithful recreation of the U47's warm tube character and frequency response, perfect for capturing that vintage drum punch at a fraction of the cost
Alternative to: Neumann U47
Budget-friendly tube condenser that captures similar warmth and midrange punch for overhead or room miking to achieve that lo-fi garage rock vibe
Alternative to: Transporterraum studio compression
Classic FET compression that delivers the fast attack and tight control needed to recreate that punchy, controlled drum sound from the original
Alternative to: Studio EQ and processing
Adds the subtle analog saturation and lo-fi character that gives the drums their raw, garage rock edge without over-processing
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
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