How to Get the Drum Sound of Nirvana's "Nevermind" | What's That Sound? Ep. 5

[@hokkym.6348]

It’s crazy how close you got to the record without using the exact equipment. I mean you had all these heavenly analog stuff, but still. Well done!

[@screamingcorpselord7254]

....and a phenomenal drummer. Well done Jessica!

[@suburbanindie]

Exact equipment? Literally every single thing was changed haha

[@willjones4992]

@@suburbanindie "without using the exact equipment"

[@emphatic001]

The double bassdrum trick is insanely cool. And nice drumming, Jessica!

[@christopherpaladin213]

Your video demonstrates the number one factor for getting any sound: a great drummer! That room does sound terrific though, and your processing really nailed the sound of that record. Nicely done all around! Cheers.

[@edgemun]

Straight up thought that was an isolated stem at the start. Insane

[@JumpingTurtle77]

Its crazy how spot on this was, especially the snare drum

[@TheCrumbleOne]

That snare sound is spot on, the Wallace sample trick really makes it!

[@RiffsAndBeards]

WOW you guys nailed it

[@nicolaszappa8093]

Wow, very impressive. Curious about the Deftones' drum sound on Change or Digital Bath (the White pony era in general actually) :)

[@daveother]

this one right here. So many cool tones.

[@paulberger6540]

Most important ingredient: a great drummer beating the crap out of the drums. Well done, Jessica! Would love to hear you break down the drum sound from Rush's Animate from the Counterparts album.

[@ab8817]

the ghost notes in Smells Like Teen Spirit are actually full strokes, but the sound is dead on.

[@leebear3494]

Drum sampling Andy Wallace trick 7:53

[@JamieSingsSometimes]

Nice work! Recording drums well is an incredible process.

[@Reverb]

every day one step closer to achieving our grohl goals.

[@ertugrulkaraduman5008]

@@Reverb our groahls..

[@billyhughes9776]

Excellent job -- sounds so close to the original -- Jessica just crushing the groove!

[@jamielailey4594]

It's unbelievable how many drummers can't work out the kick pattern in the chorus and fill it in with lazy ghost snares instead. Literally that extra kick makes the whole chorus!!! Also yeah, samples. Nevermind has samples on it. I don't care cos it sounds amazing, but people really want it to not have samples. The point was that it was still considered a 'dark art' in the 90s, whereas now it's hardly like anyone is letting any cats out of any bags. Great vid though!

[@Salien1999]

As far as I know, anyone who wants to hear the drums without samples can listen to the Butch Vig mix. I agree with you though, I much prefer the samples mixed in.

[@jamielailey4594]

@@Salien1999 and if the Butch Vig mix got released, a fraction of the people would've heard it, and no one would be trying to emulate the drum sound😅

[@michaeldeloach838]

I was going to reply the same. She's not playing it right. I don't know anything about samples being used but I know another trick they used on Nirvana records was to put a very slight delay/echo on the drums which beefed up their sound quite a bit. It's almost imperceptible but just enough to fatten up the sound.

[@FlubbydaTubby]

​@@michaeldeloach838I believe you're talking about In Utero rather than Nevermind. Steve albini adds a 20ms delay to all of his room mics

[@jamielailey4594]

@luke5100 I agree, but Andy Wallace put actual samples on the drum sound. It's the same kick and snare he used for RATM and others, I believe. Rick Beato did a great video on it!

[@MarcBecker_Music]

Wow, sounds great! What about having a closer look at Soundgarden's Superunknown drum sound, especially the one of Black Hole Sun? One of my favorites from the 90s.

[@tarynshay]

The way you pushed the mic back really made it, good shit.

[@stuartchapman5171]

Skills on the drumming and micing up the kit. Nailed it.

[@clarencethomas01]

This series is awesome. You gained a subscriber! I hope you guys are keeping it up, love from Chicago

[@SullyTheGuy]

Sounds incredible, really a lesson on compression. It would be great to hear about the drum sound on David Bowie’s “Modern Love” or John Mayer’s “Vultures”

[@cobb_thedrummer]

In Utero next! 30 yr anniversary on September 21st 2023

[@ionianblue31]

I dig this and can’t wait to try this. As for what drum sounds I’d like to see you cover for future episodes, how about Appetite for Destruction? Maybe even a double video for that where you break down the differences between the drum sound on that record and the Illusions albums. Also, anything Green Day. Either Dookie or so,etching a little more recent like American Idiot, the Trilogy or Revolution Radio. And maybe as a bonus, the Foxboro Hot Tubs.

[@Reverb]

these are killer suggestions, thank ya!

[@ВанечкаЗвезда]

@@Reverb the flaming lips?

[@gonzorudeboy]

This is impressive work! Jessica as always is killing it. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@jonashellborg8320]

Sounds wicked! The double bass drum cannon, that room, those room microphones did 99% of the sound imho. Well done!

[@DanielPestanaTranslations]

My mind is blown! Amazing work guys. I’ve listened to this record thousands of times, even its multitrack and you guys nailed it!!!

[@ultramanj]

That sounded great, thanks Noam and Jessica. I would lobby for a how to recording session for Iron Maiden's Piece of Mind record. Martin Birch was amazing behind the board, and I don't see much about him. The opening drums on Where Eagles Dare is one of my all time favorite drum sounds.

[@SpiralJucifer]

Accent the offbeats on snare a little more and it's golden! And there's a kick on the 3 in that opening beat and its refrains. Definitely nailed the drum sound though! Great video.

[@LukeVanGeest]

Love this! Great job Jessica! Going to see Dave next year hopefully I can get some drum lessons!

[@kenkrugger]

You guys killed it! Amazing job. I am going to play with these methods. Thanks!

[@TheLivingStrange]

this sounds incredible

[@jamieschidlowsky3251]

You guys have come a long way! Closest one yet!

[@briandipippo4963]

Killer. Speaking of Butch Vig, how about the Siamese Dream drum sound next?

[@DalleyMusic]

I believe that I heard Andy Wallace used his standard kick and snare samples that he used on most all of his albums in the 90's. The same ones used on Rage Against the Machine, etc.

[@mrufino1]

My understanding is that the samples were used to trigger ambience or they were samples of ambient drum mics. I don’t remember which. Edit: note to self, wait to answer until you watch the whole video, because he said exactly that…😂

[@DalleyMusic]

@@mrufino1 Not according to Rick Beato. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGqUZ5yliLyXqtU Also, if you listen to Wallace's productions from that era, all the snare & kicks sound practically identical. imho

[@andreisidro6544]

Although he uses samples to trigger reverbs occasionally (like you can hear on the Beato video) Andy said himself he didn't use any samples on Nevermind. I believe samples were provided to him but he must've though Sound City's ambience was more than enough.

[@brainstewX]

@@andreisidro6544 Andy said he didn't use any samples on Nevermind? Lol. Citation needed.

[@Howitchewstofeel5gum]

The initial attack is the recording, the tail is from the sample.

[@TheJayTeeGee]

I was super excited when I saw this video because I thought you would include a drum sample pack like you did with the Rehab video. Don't get me wrong, it's still cool.

[@XoseGuitar]

She is such a great drummer!

[@shellbournian]

oh shit Jessica works at Reverb? always stoked to see her play on Rob Scallon's channel

[@gaetanclybouw]

What polar pattern was used for the room mics? They didn’t tell in the video. I’m guessing figure of 8 but could be cardioid too…

[@MyToasterIsMoist]

Holy shit! ...no I can't really think of anything constructive to say just holy shit you guys killed it!

[@tommj4365]

Awesome. Did you do, or would consider doing, Tool Aenima drums? I believe they pumped the close mics through a huge PA back into the room during tracking, or something like that. Such a huge sound, obviously a lot also going on in the mix

[@aidensaroka7268]

Jessica is not only an incredible drummer, but she looks SO BADASS when her hair flies back, after hitting the crash!

[@jeffjefferson8137]

never knew how crazy the drums in the bridge were in this. i never really thought dave was that great. but after hearing more stuff from after nirvana i’m kinda realizing he was definitely holding back especially in nevermind

[@tommicola]

It would be interesting a “how to get songs for the deaf drum sound”

[@SeeMick1]

They recorded the cymbals and drums separately on that album to make it sound super tight.

[@JumpingTurtle77]

I agree

[@TimTkachyk]

@tommicola Yes! That would be an awesome dissection.

[@ElvisPriceless]

Agree

[@tommicola]

@@SeeMick1 yeah I heard about it in the past!

[@Steevo1977]

Sounds great! I'm sure Butch Vig has said he composited samples on the bass drum and snare to beef them up by feeding the tracks out to a trigger. Post production of course.

[@mattildahubbardo]

love these drum sound videos. great drummer and great sound engineer. I would love to see the volume fader relationships to each microphone track. its something I always struggle with in my drum mixes.

[@robrunz]

Awesome video! Would love to see a drum breakdown for razorblade suitcase by Bush!

[@paulbadoo9326]

Please, do the "In Utero" drum sound. Totally different. Steve Albini's alternative drum sound is the holy grail.

[@gaetanclybouw]

18-22ms delay on room mics is Albini’s drum sound

[@VapnFagan]

I cant believe you didn't use the 440? or the 960? I personally would have went with the 1173 or the 960 but i am on a budget so the 1488 or 92B is what i use now. I wish i could get my hands on a 975FFG or a 1660X, The newer 55B and 770 sound just as good. My all time dream mic is the AC17X3.

[@Reverb]

The 440 doesn't quite have the right capsule encabulator. The 960, maybe.

[@johnrodems6360]

Omg Brother your in Chicago I live in Springfield Illinois that’s awesome Chicago 🎸🎸 love the scene there saw some grindcore bands in 2016

[@JohnDuncanfiddler]

amazing information in this video. thank you for making it! how about how the drums on 'Kind of Blue' or any classic late 50's bebop?

[@JugaJuga14]

I fully thought you’d just isolated the original drum track at the start of the video. God damn, good job.

[@fedorvoronovcomposer]

6:40 I'd say, high hats are golden on the compressed room mics

[@jjdubois6101]

Those rooms sound incredible!

[@NikkLiberos]

So 1:28 is kinda sorta like a woofer but without the resonant head + the blanket on top?

[@TrentonF505]

That sounded super close to the original! Great job!

[@tvd1188]

Do In Utero next!

[@sampledude8846]

What a great drummer!

[@m.o.n.d.e.g.r.e.e.n]

thanks! would love to see some fela kuti (tony allen) drum sound? some non western approaches would be nice

[@gerrydaly5409]

This series is totally awesome- I would love to see The Stone Roses - Fools Gold (Bobby Byrd - Hot Pants)

[@millennialanimal]

Pixies - Surfer Rosa drum sound PLEASE!

[@walterkaminski]

Turn up the reverb

[@millennialanimal]

@@walterkaminski 😁

[@mattryan6886]

Sound of early 90’s Nirvana large Tama drums 24” kick drum, 14/16” deep rack tom and 18” floor tom w/ Zildjian cymbals finished

[@Oggification]

What specific type of 414 did you use on OVHs?

[@Tuneman-iy8og]

exceptional work guys

[@andrewpimblott2880]

Yes! Thank you!

[@BeTheAeroplane]

6:30 dang things sounding a little Blur Song 2-ish there! 😮

[@ROOKTABULA]

3:55 I've tried my monitors and mixing cans: Is anyone else hearing this kick signal as overdriven somewhat? Actually, having listened to the end, I'm hearing overdriven saturation on the bottom end. System volume at 20%. no tracks I have in my music collection sound like this. Huh.

[@TheCrumbleOne]

Gotta do the Tool (Lateralus and Aenema) / David Bottrill technique next!!! I've always wanted to know the details of how he got that sound.

[@stevebellamy6776]

I would love to see a video on John Mellencamp's 'Rain On The Scarecrow". I've heard that Kenny Aronoff hit a pipe against a fire hydrant with a mic nearby.

[@andreisidro6544]

Awesome video! Is there any way of getting my hands on the raw multitracks? I'd love to use them as reference in my future recordings. Cheers!

[@tone_science]

Let’s see some videos on the White Stripes - amazing how much was done with so little

[@m.o.n.d.e.g.r.e.e.n]

seconded

[@RaphaelSepulveda]

Damn, dead on. Great drumming!

[@AndyHallHall]

Amazing!!! Well done!

[@joeyskar]

Interesting how that far kick mic sounded like it was clipping but in the final mix it was just what the doctor ordered.

[@darikas3325]

Great Video! Would very much appreciate an episode about the J Dilla/Questlove/Soulquarians sound of D'Angelo's "Voodoo" or Commons "Like water for chocolate" album!!!

[@freddiefl0wers]

are the samples for this song availeble?

[@vasoskyriakides]

How did he sync the sample to the real snare drum in 1991? this might be a silly question i know but did they track drums to midi back then?

[@steviescott5590]

id love to see a breakdown of the Metz drum sound. Hayden Menzies is a beast!

[@HoiPolloi]

Very well done! Awesome tutorial :)

[@Valinthehousetonight]

Sounds amazing ! But the samples are not available anymore.. 😭

[@natedavid3873]

there is no 500 hz on a Neve 1073 eq how are you pulling it from the kick if you can't even pull it out on the neve. also there's no 10k to boost like you said. the high frequency on a 1073 is fixed at 12k. Very confused.

[@ireaugust8619]

Will there be a sample pack for this video?

[@SunsetPunk]

Nailed it!!!!!!!!!!

[@kellendustries]

What heads are on that snare top/bottom? Generally, when you do these drum videos, you should list the heads on all the drums as they can make a huge difference in sound. Thanks

[@jacobnacho]

Was really hoping you would have used the Tamas.

[@brenttaylor4618]

I’ve always love the drum sounds on Neil Young Harvest! I think the drums sound pretty similar from track to track excluding “Man needs a Maid”. Could you do a track off this album? Old Man!!!

[@fabienlouvel5536]

Any Dire Straits song drum sound, from earlies with Pick Withers or Terry Williams ! Thanks :)

[@andremendes8183]

you guys should do one recreating the 50s sound (elvis, doo wop, etc)

[@rootcellarmusicstudiorobku519]

1st off incredible job recreating the basic sound signature of one of the most iconic drum recordings ever. I certainly hear a limiter on this 2 bus mix. I would love to know what limiter was used to make this recreation. Also what reverb?

[@davidrewit]

It sounds exactly like the record 😵✨

[@AmphetamineReptile]

"Pure thunder, feels like the earth is shaking like you're gonna die" listen to Lysol by the Melvins

[@Creativecoverz]

please do a dry 70’s punk drum sound!!

[@JGerman68]

Did you flip polarity on the bottom snare mic?

[@iceyes1979]

why is there no sample pack on the download page?

[@mostlyharmless88]

Great drumming!

[@ChangeOfTone_Experiments]

i'd love to see a Martin Hannett's drum sound tutorial from you :), not necessarily the famous Joy Division's sound

[@adamhusk633]

Please tell me you are turning this into a sample pack??????

[@waynegram8907]

I'm not understanding how can you use samples of snare drums and trigger the reverb because the samples would have to align up at the same time for every real snare drum hit. Aligning Snare drum hits with Samples of snare drums would be very time consuming to do right?

[@jasongavalas3273]

There's a function on probably every DAW which essentially analyses the waveform of an audio track to generate trigger sounds based on the transients of that waveform above a certain threshold. For example you can take the snare mic audio track and analyse it in order to produce trigger sounds it's time the snare hits. You can actually save a lot more time instead of having to manually program sample hits with real snare hit. You can also adjust the threshold of those transients to be sure that say a kick hit won't trigger the sample.

[@OverdriveMusic]

Incredible

[@bobjames9849]

This series is fucking sick

[@stevejonesphd]

Request: Could you recreate the drum sound for Prince's Purple Rain?

[@DopeSmoker]

when Nevermind came out I remember thinking, 'wow! this is amazing but the drum sound isn't very good' lol

[@tlkshowhst]

Do the drum sound for “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds!