How Patrick Carney Gets His Drum Sound | Reverb Interview

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Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney talks Zildjians, Vistalites, mic setups and more when we popped by to chat with him (and engineer Marc Whitmore) and ask about the sonic secrets behind his powerful sound.

[@timesink8947]

Really nice to hear the engineer discuss the specific signal chain of each microphone. Normally people just namedrop a few compressors, a few EQs, and stay real vague. By being specific, he gives us a chance to learn a bit from him.

[@norwegiansniper9713]

That´s because good engineers want people to develop​ their own sound and build a song from what they think sounds good not what some guy said on youtube.

[@danielallan5058]

Would you want that sound for your drums tho???...to me it sounds like the outboard gating coupled with the use of reverb to bring back what the gate took away seems like shooting yourself in foot!..I'm being honest I don't think the black keys albums we all know and love where recorded like that..magic potion didn't sound that way!

[@plan4studios977]

There's no such thing as secrets anymore unfortunately with youtube !

[@fergadelics]

Timesink sharing is not caring about secret sauce and it lifts all sides. In the end it’s the song

[@freepoco2]

Yeah, the details of this video help me specifically avoid any of this equipment and puts a microscope to patrick carney's drumming isolated so I know how not to tune/play/be near drums.

[@JakelikejakefromSF4936]

Patrick Carney looks like he'd have constant coffee breath.

[@kri8beats778]

Coffee and weed

[@Praxidas]

@@kri8beats778 Contradictory

[@careyott]

@@Praxidas exactly

[@queenhenryviii]

@@Praxidas complimentary*

[@jessieplaysmusic8530]

@@Praxidas you’re smoking the wrong kind then. Ahah

[@stubkar]

The secret to our "garage" sound? $85,000 worth of equipment, duh!

[@seanhealey2007]

Right!?! It’s never simple or cheap

[@mortonschmorton5249]

seanhealey2007 a good sounding kit and drummer is 97% of it. The other 3 percent can be filled by 57s and cheap plugins if you’re crafty enough.

[@bookerswhiskey3509]

Zepsett just hit em’ wit the hein

[@turdferguson9190]

They made their first record with a 100 dollar record and mics from radio shack. Just sayin...

[@brandonandalexander]

@@mortonschmorton5249 the truth my brother, a b-52 definitely doesn't hurt either and is cheap as balls

[@nathandrum47]

That snare isolation to hi-hat bleed is incredible. I want to look into that expander. Love the snare sound. Super focused and phat without too much low end information.

[@skyhook7347]

Nate.. my brother in christ; it sounded like dog shit....

[@Madrrrrrrrrrrr]

@@skyhook7347 i agree. Like you hit tape to hard. Yuck. So flat.

[@alanduncan1980]

This guy sounds like a beginner drummer. Very bad feel and lacks groove.

[@evanmatthiesen7478]

keep in mind when judging a drum sound- its about how they relate to a mix. This is how to get a dry, saturated, tight drum sound with character, not how to get a natural drum sound.

[@IsurusDrums]

Well I guess any drum sound is usable in a certain context and I also suppose that drum beats that are poorly played are usable but to me this video is a master class in what sounds bad both in terms of production and technique. Just my personal opinion.

[@TheUltimater72]

Did you really use both “dry” and “saturated” to describe something

[@simonperry8569]

@@IsurusDrums Have to agree. His playing is stilted and doesn't flow - sounds like a guy whose been playing a few months - and the drum sound is horrible.

[@christopantz]

@@TheUltimater72 they probably mean dry to describe a sound that has little to no reverb, and saturated to describe a sound that is overdriven. Makes perfect sense to me

[@Dandroid5000]

@@DUwins Well just crush the shit out of it on an old cassette 4 track......if you bounce the drums from track to track it keeps adding texture!

[@fishbonesinc]

Video like this is like a summoning circle for accredited drum science PhD's who feel the need to flex how their a better drummer and sound engineer in one vessel sculpted by the gods themselves.

[@Sunkenballs12]

Consider that whats happening here is just so bad and stupid that average drummers and engineers can criticize it and be totally qualified to do so.

[@desertrainfrog1691]

@@Sunkenballs12 What successful band would those average drummers/engineers be a part of?

[@alanvelasquez837]

I love how Pat is a simple man! He’s just saying what he used for different albums and they put that essence to their music, even won a Grammy and several awards. Simplicity makes a lot !

[@benboone007]

Patrick is such an inspiration to all those garbage garage drummers out there, you still have a chance to make it big even if you don't know what a steady bpm is

[@Yourveryowncarrot]

@MorbidManMusic His drumming has more character and style than most drummers out there today, what's your problem?

[@Steaminlidz]

6 Grammy’s. How many have you got?

[@austincox1709]

top 10 anime deaths yeah he’s not great though. his drums do sound nice

[@charlestwisted9890]

It’s always surprising to hear tempo being compared to straight BPM. Feel matters. If it didn’t, why have a drummer, when a drum machine is literally perfect?

[@Christopher-md7tf]

Always funny how fanboys resort to "feel" and "character" when they get butt-hurt because somebody pointed out that their idol is just not that great of a player. Technical ability and feel/groove/character are not mutually exclusive. And having terrible timing does not automatically give you "good feel".

[@AidenBradley95]

I like how the engineer talks about the stereo balance between the two toms and how it's cool to have the floor toms bouncing from left to right and there are no examples of it at all.

[@martywhite2988]

Not one. And he also says he's into mono drums, yet left and right is stereo. Besides having nice gear, these people are goofs.

[@alanduncan1980]

@@martywhite2988 total goofs. The kit sounds woeful and his drumming is shit. I wouldn't let him anywhere near a set of drums on a recording, and I wouldn't allow the hipster dude near a mixing desk in a studio either.

[@TheAaron3dg]

Woah, more interviews with signal chain explanations, that was amazing!

[@arthurmartins5495]

Thanks for this, learned a lot

[@dtonesmith766]

2:45. Kick 3:08. Snare 3:34 251 4:13 ribbons 4:44 M160 5:05. Reverb 5:22. kit

[@fullalbums5675]

5:22 farting snare

[@grgbnntt11]

Reminds me of that Fred Armisen joke about how drummers test cymbals like it's a fine wine.. lol

[@rockkevinrock]

Outside of the basic info, I love seeing all of the bass traps and treatments all over the walls, and those standing baffles around the perimeter. Looks like a beautiful situation.

[@DannySullivanMusic]

Sounds so pure

[@Goose1162]

I need a “how Kevin Parker gets his drum sound” video

[@egorfrolov7754]

Grab a few blankets and you're on your way

[@NotDingse]

Egor Frolov and a compressor

[@bipbong2906]

aMoral27 it’s bad tho

[@TylerWyattonline]

slam that “Boombox Drums” and “Punchy Drums” audio mixing default effects in Ableton and you’re in business

[@tannerjmatheson]

You're in luck, just look up lonerism drum sound, also try the video of the experimental crushed drums because I think that sounds similar

[@taylorkropp9838]

that room sound was outrageously cool

[@keeferdog5617]

SUPER COOL INSIGHT - KILLER TONES!

[@useraccount4542]

He plays like a dad playing drums for the first time at a wedding

[@carsonmitchell3468]

ali hitit I came hear to leave a comment on his drumming but you kinda nailed it haha

[@alexnackman4388]

This was extremely informative.

[@gojoe36]

Well Done Reverb...nice to see Patrick out and about on your channel

[@TheKevbe]

Love that, thank you.

[@LazyWhiteK1d]

He REALLY gated that beautiful snare.

[@stampede4107]

Sounded a bit unpleasantly unnatural to me

[@KJ4VGA]

@@stampede4107 Sounded pleasantly unnatural to me

[@alanduncan1980]

I don't know why they even bother using a nice snare. They could probably just use some toy Casio keyboard from the 80s to get that sound, or just have him fart in the mic and sample that.

[@GeoZero]

Man I was surprised (and glad) to see the four Trident 80B's EQ's in the 500 box, I also have four of them. :)

[@UnnecessaryComment.]

Very informative thank you

[@martywhite2988]

Now I don't feel so bad that my drum recordings sound shitty. Thanks guys!

[@Katosnakes]

so glad to see omar rodriguez back at work

[@dandafunk]

I remembering recording drums back in the day very difficult to get the sound you want on tape the cole overhead spread mics sound the best out of his entire run through.

[@paulanthonymorrisjr]

Everything the black keys does I feel is gonna end up being a funny or die sketch. I thought they were gonna start saying " yea we got some mics under the floor boards to give that next door neighbor to a garage band sound, and we got mics in the ceiling to give that stalker in the rafters sound"

[@ccgbassandmore3]

you gave me an idea

[@papaslaps]

this made me laugh out loud

[@thaddeusodonnell3986]

When The Emotions recorded The Best of My Love in Muscle Shoals one of their tricks for reverb was to bury an oil drum outside the studio and run a mic into it. Didnt get the details on the distance or type of mic. Am good friends with one of the engineers that was on that session and he told me those were the types of "secret tricks" they'd do in Muscle Shoals

[@Sunkenballs12]

@@thaddeusodonnell3986 with all do respect to those gentlemen ,that sounds dumb as shit and completely impractical.

[@thaddeusodonnell3986]

@@Sunkenballs12 well that's why my friend has multiple Grammys...and you dont

[@bb-of3qz]

Killed that snare like as in no bueno, major money in that little studio. Gear bonanza.

[@Czyszy]

I personally love the sound. Reminds me of Wizard era Rundgren.

[@SeanCoomes]

Literally watching this at work while Lonely Boy is playing on the radio haha

[@mediumstudio]

yes! he's such a cool cat / that kit is sick, too / love the snare mix - thick!

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Stewart Copeland of The Police used a little compression live on his drum kit. It makes total sense. You can be little more adventurous and energetic knowing that you have that little safety net there that also makes the drums stand out in the mix.

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love your Work!!

[@Superheavy420]

My drummer played a vintage JC penny kit with a tattered Remo head on the bass drum. For some reason our high shine crash + Dark ride combo was super fucking rock n roll. We definitely got murdered for it. One over the kit, over snare or out in front of the kick has always been a good idea.

[@officialelviscostello_]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤💖

[@caseyrowe3402]

Great. Thanks lots.

[@beepbeep2446]

How do you get the drum sound on When The Lights Go Out. So crispy

[@matthewdotson2186]

I've been getting good results with just one small pencil condenser above the drum kit a few feet pointed down at my snare, with an AKG D112 kick drum mic on the resonant head. So just two microphones. No phase issues. But I also produce simple, 60s sounding surf rock. The only downside is I gotta hit that snare drum hard, and then boost it with EQ. But I prefer the two microphone setup and Ableton Live to all of this hardware (that I don't know how to use and can't afford).

[@fancynumbers9576]

I know I’m kind of a moron for trying to enlighten anyone on the internet but dang this kit sounds amazing. Y’all are nuts. So balanced punchy and dry and the cymbals aren’t overbearing.

[@officialelviscostello_]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤💖

[@johnd.4536]

A very powerful songwriter.

[@otisblankenshipiv7823]

When he hit the hi-hats that's the exact sound from the beginning of Everlasting Light.

[@elektrozil9728]

didnt really like the black keys until this video. process is inspiring.

[@vincejack4838]

He's so underrated

[@nitaigauranga3849]

THis was a good video.

[@JS-lr2ly]

On headphones it's great. It's not about the drums so much as it is the named effects( from the afro dude) have on the end result, which is a robust and strong sound. It sounds perfect for a mix already. I'll have to try a similar crossover setup attempt in ableton as i sadly don't own any API's. nice console marc.

[@zeboogieburitto]

I hope the Black Keys make a new album soon so badly

[@alanduncan1980]

They should hire a session drummer instead of letting this guy anywhere near a drum set in a recording studio. He's a pretty woeful player.

[@petertromp8786]

Honestly, the mono overhead sounds by far the best. Don't know why you need all that other shit.

[@evanmatthiesen7478]

in a mix with other instruments the other mics are very helpful

[@DylanBrady1]

agree

[@manysnakes]

It's not just that the overhead sounded better, it's that everything else sounded terrible. Just compressed, unlistenable drums that are indistinguishable from a drum machine.

[@BIGpony777]

think about it in the context of a mix? without the kick mic thats not gonna stand out at all and youll probably just end up dragging in a second kick sample over the original kick, so why not just record the og with its own mic, same with the snare, you need the snare to stand out theyre the most important percussive elements for this type of music. although the snare is very compressed it just sounds like they tried eqing the hats out and then compressing the snare and it was sloppy and quick- probably done quickly before the cameras came maybe

[@queenhenryviii]

@@manysnakes Ummmm… that’s the point. It’s almost as if you’ve never listened to Pat’s style of playing. He’s going for that slinky low fi hip hop drum loop sound as a homage to what he loves.

[@PHELCAN]

Reverb, these videos are fucking gold! Please keep putting them out! I would love to see one with some of the recording techniques of King Gizzard

[@BarnacleButtock]

Honestly the room mic and that first overhead would've sounded better than the final mix together. That snare sounds a little too distorted, like a drum machine almost.

[@ryanlusby9337]

annabelleshaus I agree totally

[@evanmatthiesen7478]

without hearing other instruments its hard to judge, but the sound they got is very much in the vein of what they do. Sort of hip hoppy, dry and saturated. Would suit many songs.

[@424Recording]

I’m feeling that drum machine vibe Annabelle 😎

[@jtn191]

Well they liked 90s hip hop...

[@ediecollette430]

It's all about context in the mix. Sometimes shit sounds weird on it's own but bring in nasty distorted guitars, vocals and whatever else... then it's going to sound like their mixes.

[@matt_robinson_]

The snare sounds super good

[@kanehenderson5142]

Yo hip hop producers! If you find your way to this video,the drum break is at @5:22

[@chrisloudermilk1431]

Is the mono overhead the same distance from the kick beater as the coles are from the kick beater?

[@pepe7drum]

My god that drumming, how can he be a drummer for such a long time and don't be better?

[@wavepirate]

He is the perfect drummer for what he does.

[@pepe7drum]

wavepirate yes, like Lars Ulrich

[@wavepirate]

@@pepe7drum oh, you're one of them! Fun. Metallica is great. The Black Keys are great. I don't know how you listen to I Got Mine and come away not respecting Pat's groove. You probably hate Meg White, too?

[@wavepirate]

@@pepe7drum like seriously dude, Pat plays his ass off here and the feel he creates is undeniable: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGLTiaiiid-iZ9k

[@lt.frankdrebin3317]

I wonder the same about Mick Fleetwood.

[@guyflaxman6372]

Can you make a video of dallon weekes bass technique?

[@marcogman8905]

I wonder if all that can be recreated with a DAW and plug-ins? Solid video.

[@TimotheCatlin]

You could get close enough, but you'll need some not completely crap mics.

[@clamchowderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr]

YIKES!

[@druid5931]

oh man that snare is really killing the entire drum set

[@gijsdries4141]

Before recording any drums, get your internal clock straight.

[@Masterfilm15]

interesting as usual , I like the sounds here,, so much set up tho... trying to figure out my sounds atm.. with low budget which is like ya know accept what ya get,,, I have a small set up.. so trying to find ways to record drums with out a bunch of gear,, but maybe impossible.. I got Shure drum mic's but cheap over head mic's thinking of finding a few better over head mic's,,learning curve for me but thanks for posting this video!

[@andrewpappas9311]

The Black Keys are such a killer band, Carney is an awesome drummer and Dan Auerbach is an amazing guitarist. Hope to see a Potent Pairings - The Black Keys video at some point

[@amirs5512]

big muff into big muff into big muff

[@VexaS1n]

Snare not found!! But I dig The Keys a lot. Cannot wait for a new album release

[@officialelviscostello_]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤💖

[@jordanhedlund]

lolol i thought this was a shred video when they played the whole mix together...I was like, ok, you got me

[@pjtello4640]

So many salty know it all drummers on here.

[@alley8503]

This drummer blows balls. hows that?

[@minisurfbanana]

Alley yea he blows and he’s touring the world making millions and you’re not! But hey you blow him out of the water with your double kick...that’s something to be proud of 😂😂😂😂

[@minisurfbanana]

They are Jealous and headed no where musicians!!!

[@alley8503]

Actually with all due respect. He blows! Oh and I don’t have a double kick! I do like Glen Kotche tho! (Real drummer)

[@AGENTtimex]

He really does sound sloppy as hell though. He drags.

[@RJD18437]

So awesome!! And Long overdue!!!! HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED ARTISTS AND DRUMMERS IN THE WORLD!! 🙌🏽⚡️🤘🏽🤓😎🧐🎙🎛🎚📽

[@BrendanOriginal]

What has this dude been up to since black keys have kind of been put on the back burner?

[@Yourveryowncarrot]

Unpopular opinion: that snare drums sounds fucking awesome.

[@BMFlame9393]

He’s not the most technical drummer but his grooves are awesome!

[@alanduncan1980]

You must be joking! He lacks groove. He has a poor technique, and no feel, no dynamics, no rim shots, just awful. He sounds like he's been playing drums for about a week.

[@damienlewis7882]

Can’t say I love the snare sound

[@austing.8870]

I love how we have to go this in depth to get a result that sounds like a cheap drum set being recorded in a garage through a tin can.

[@michaelcaplin8969]

@MorbidManMusic Austin G. I am also an engineer having worked at one of northern Europes largest and most well equipped studio complices for a long time, and I can tell you that MorbidManMusic does not know what he/she is talking about. Period :)

[@OwainOwine]

Everything to do with mixing and music production is subjective my man, each to their own

[@np466]

Austin G. You really pissed that guy off😂. How dare you have an opinion...

[@AGENTtimex]

@MorbidManMusic *someone expresses their opinion* MorbidManMusic-"your ego is bloated."......"I have the skills" "I hear through all the bullshit" lolllllll

[@chompyb]

@@michaelcaplin8969 Studio wouldn't happen to be in France by any chance. Nuff said.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

I like the drum sound on their Magic Potion album

[@danielallan5058]

I love that too,but I know the drums on magic potion wasn't recorded like what was shown here in the video..on magic potion they actually let the kit breath and bleed in with itself. the drums in the vid sounded like a drum machine..dead almost!!

[@burtreynolds2969]

I have managed to get a pretty decent drum sound with just one sm 57 just over the bass drum pointing at my crotch area.

[@christianjhill3080]

Pat is cool

[@revol40]

Valley expander? Reminds me of the 90's.

[@patrickthedrummer]

I think any time Tchad Blake mixes your record, the secret to your drum sound is largely Tchad Blake.

[@laustenfound]

There were moments in this video, where I was waiting for Patrick to look into the camera and ask, "Do I make you randy, Baby?!"

[@BrentHarmon]

Ditch the Cole mics and re eq (or use different mics) both the snare and kick sounds and Patrick would have a decent sound.

[@SeemoreDunkan]

I count only 4 API 560's on the console.. Are you sure he didn't say 550's a couple of times but it was accidently written as 560's?

[@itchyvinyl]

Drum sound starts with tuning and playing technique. Could that be what everyone is hating?

[@nycLPplayer]

This made me realize how much time I waste on getting the tone instead of just playing, creating, having fun.

[@1990sDialUpWeb]

A testament to the OP's comment, Led Lep. Bonham's tone is literally 4 mic's and sounds like another planet vs this.

[@taotoo2]

Woah easy on the room mic/emt at the end there

[@PaulRodriguez9]

Patrick and Jim Root of Slipknot, I can totally see being brothers lol. Tall, older hipster vibe lol. I would actually love to see them together, both very funny dudes

[@mouthpee]

This is the rock n roll version of McLovin.

[@swim_ad]

One name ? What are you, Seal ?

[@felipemorayta7424]

When you realize that tchad blake just replaces the kick in the mix haha

[@glenmaggard6091]

What “we” are using for vocals. Possible new album in play??

[@Lamafiasiberiana]

You were right, sir.

[@MrJeppeisen]

Am I the only one liking the snare?

[@Perrythedrummer]

This guy is the same age as me, now marrying my dream girl. I’m starting to like him more and more

[@dfinma]

1:30 Good to see even rich famous dudes steal $3 milk crates.

[@1990sDialUpWeb]

With that many separate sounds, I was definitely looking forward to hearing a nice balanced mix, but his final mix sounds like a toy. Dig his drums and him as a player, as well as his individual drum sounds, except for the snare (way to dead of a tone for a close mic, where's the punch?) I would rather hear the mono overhead for a final mix honestly, that thing sounded great. Also, open up GarageBand and dig the preprogrammed drums, those samples and riffs are amazing sounding, even when you try to find dry tones like these.

[@yanceyboyz]

If you knew the first thing about music......you wouldn't be trying to judge a final mix of something....on KZbin, which is known to destroy quality.... presumably through a phone or something.....not studio monitors. Also final mix of all the drum tracks not mixed and mastered, big difference.

[@vicdmise]

Surprisingly dry for 2 room mics, sidefills, and getting a feed from the EMT140.

[@joellomusic]

That's great and all but what about a new Black Keys album?

[@PookieQDB]

Joel G whenever dan has had enough fun with his solo project and slows down producing other artists.

[@khurai111]

Pat is apparently having fun with CoD and Dan is busy doing other stuff. Pat said they really need a long break so I guess it won't come for a while.

[@thepuppethead1188]

They had a lil mini-reunion at one of Dan's Solo shows,so it's certainly possible that those boys wanna get together again.

[@OHHnoYOUdidntMAN]

They’ll come back. Someone did a video essay on “Did the Black Keys break up?” And they themselves replied in the comments “No.”

[@jonbarwick5946]

I have a feeling they’ll get one out soon. #OnceYouGoBlack

[@groalerable]

the band makes straight forward blues rock, what do you want the guy to play?

[@AnyRoadAnyTime]

Whoa! That mono overhead mic was great. Not much else was needed, either... but they killed it by overproducing an underproduced sound. Certainly not a very "live" sounding mix, but I'm sure it works with the rest of the tracks when added.

[@TheCartoonCatastrophe]

What a legend

[@tobiasintilde8376]

And the black keys new album??

[@2dollarcrew]

What brand hi hats does he use?

[@BrentHarmon]

Zildjian

[@kelebeksky]

My crush❤

[@jspanos500]

Not digging that drum sound at all, but I will say that mono drums are very under appreciated. You can get a lot of power from driving the kit right up the middle of the mix. Of course this does not work for all musical styles.

[@thejordanruiz]

How Patrick Carney Gets His Drum Sound: Tchad Blake

[@NormSpupsEntertainment]

Yes! I was waiting for Tchad or the sansamp to get name dropped

[@alanvelasquez837]

Jordan Ruiz he’s just tighten up lol

[@dazpatreg]

I really liked him in the hangover