Recording the Ludwig Neusonic Drums

[@AndrewMasters]

Drums are so fun. How are you rocking them? Wide open or dead and fat?

[@Rhythmic1]

I see the utility in either way but as a rock drummer I lean towards wide open. Usually with just a little muffling.

[@paolotonolo1140]

I was forced into retirement because of health , so I took a week at sampling my 1965 Ludwig's before I sold them ..still have my Supra though ...into recording now :-) But the Ludwig seem to be the Studio Standard , and always will be.

[@bradplant872]

I have tendency to gravitate towards Emperors on batters and Ambassadors on the resonate heads. Coated, versus vintage coated, versus clear depends. Clear for live, coated for recording is pretty much status quo for me. Snare almost always coated Emperor X. And I always port the bass drum for feel on the pedals and for ease of internal mic placement. I have a Beta 91A mounted on a Kelly Shu.

[@robertdemaree2165]

Open better more natural

[@johnweyers2685]

Wide open.

[@johnweyers2685]

I really liked the first version the best. Love the open sound.

[@MustafaShaheen]

Would love a vid on how you tuned those toms! The pre-dampened sound is SO rich.

[@HunterStudios21]

Yeah that sounded perfect!

[@321CatDaddy]

Having been in the studio playing drums for other clients, I am fully aware that the "controlled" sound is preferable in most situations, and these sound good muffled. But man, it took all the life and character out of the kit when the duct tape and the mandatory hole cutting was done. My point is, now they sound like every other studio drum kit. They lost that special "character" that they had. I have a small Pro Tools setup, and I know you have to do what you have to do to get the drums to sit in the mix. But to all the young drummers starting out, spend time to learn how to tune your kit ( unless the studio has their own kit, then whattayougonnado) swap heads, try different sticks and a million other ideas you can find here online before you grab the duct tape and the dinner plate template.😄 I'm not saying this kit would be appropriate wide open for every project, but don't think you HAVE to muffle your kit. Great video, very informative, and MUCH RESPECT to Andrew and Jack! Rock on, dudes! 🤓 PS yes I am an old fart Bonham disciple who has muffled up and cut holes to get paid and called back. But I felt like such a whore.....😂😂😂 ❤

[@augustdrums1247]

Well said, I have noticed that there is very little muffling needed these days, no need for pillows and duct tape anymore. I even saw some guy put cotton balls in the shells, come on man. I play rock/country and I just tune my drums low with a dot for muffling and its perfect. I would never get near my kit with duct tape, lol

[@recordingwithrev3496]

I love the before sound.

[@jaypaulson5181]

I had to stop to comment- Your little one’s giggle at his mother’s displeasure just made my day!

[@markpmar0356]

They sound great out of the box.

[@iengineer_247]

The kit sound amazing!!! I like the first snare better. Of course clean a little mid lows up but it sound good and I'm loving the toms!!!!

[@InfamousGarageHack]

Thanks for posting this demo. I appreciate the comparison between the two sounds. Really liking the wide open sound. Very full sound from that 20/12/14 set up. Cheers🍻

[@jerrymckenzie1858]

Wow, that kit sounds so good! Even wide open, it was just phenomenal!

[@waxsback]

Some stuff you just can’t go wrong with , like Ludwig drums Fender jazz bass , Shure 57 etc…. Great video I hope you do one showing how you tune the drums

[@Dan-hc1ow]

I liked take one with the brass snare. I like the finish. When I was in junior high, our drums were old Ludwigs with that finish. Made me smile.

[@JulianFernandez]

Ludwig rocks!

[@Rhythmic1]

For any drum shell the acid test for me is for lack of better words how pure and pristine the overtones are when they're wide open and these shells past the test with flying colors.

[@malcolmfrancis4543]

Fresh out da box sounds great. The snare is musical and the kick has a lovely "ploof" sound that I personally love. The dampened would be a great disco dance sound. "Woofy smacks". Each is its own thing, but I lean fresh,

[@Motherloadrocks]

Ludwigs versatility is why I always put them top of the list against all other manufacturers

[@321CatDaddy]

Yep. Tried a few others, but after almost 45 years still a Ludwig man!

[@arianamastersofficial]

This kids laugh gets me every time. Love the video and LOVE the new drum kit :)

[@dezyote]

Sounds great !! Both sound great love them Ludwigs!!

[@gianmarcorosso]

you're livin' the dream! those drums sounds fan-tas-tic !

[@duppyoscar]

That Bass Drum sounds amazing. And both kit snare and black beauty snare have a killer sound.

[@mule659]

Great sounding kit! Also dig the Universal snare. I just bought that same one and have been really pleased so far.

[@sdanis]

Sounds great!! I should start tuning my 12" lower like you do.

[@Thom726]

Andrew, you’ve got a great helper!!

[@franciscopacobarreras9270]

Ludwigs are my favorite drums to track. The snares obviously. Everytime a drummer brings a snare to track I ask if they brought a Supraphonic, every time their shares don’t work you just ask them to use a Supraphonic it always does the trick. But the kits themselves are also great, specially their Legacy

[@LucaGehring]

beautiful kit

[@OffShiftProductions]

I have the previous iteration of the Neusonics and I love them - super versatile kit that records well and is about as good as you can get in the sub $2k price range. Perfect kit for experimentation as you don't feel like you have to be super precious with it to get solid sounds.

[@justinreynolds3935]

Ludwig snares man. Always sound good. Killer kit and tones.

[@321CatDaddy]

When I passed my boards the first thing I bought was a brand new, right outta the box Ludwig engraved Black Beauty snare. Then I found my kids and me a house to rent! Priorities! 🤣🤣

[@RobCartwright]

Thank you for this! I was just able to pickup my dream kit, but it'll stay in the studio. I'm looking at picking up a used set of these as my new gigging kit.

[@Thirsty_Deer_Studio]

My kit is a 9 PC Ludwig SuperClassic from the early 90s I got new. All double braced hardware. only use 1 of my 24" kicks cuz of my studio size. But they sound killer just with Glyn John's mic technique. Can't go wrong with Ludwigs

[@michaelclark5020]

This thing sounds amazing right out of the box and both set ups sounded good for different applications but I like right out of the box the best.

[@jhamm8047]

I've got an original Neusonic 20" kick, 12" rack, 14" floor with a 6.5"x14" Supra as one of my studio kits and it's been killer. I left the resonant head on the kick closed with very little muffling inside or on the toms because my other kit is much drier and the Neusonic sounds great almost wide open. But after this I'll have to set up another head to swap in sometimes. Nice to have options!

[@RokDAWG1]

I love the tones you’re getting from this kit!

[@davidborgia2312]

Straight out of the box, KILLER ! Take 2, sweet & tight ! Take 2 would be a great perfect dry mix, that you could probably have a blast editing with plug ins.

[@adamalexanderray]

Those cymbals and kit sound real nice.

[@udosmidt4133]

The sound of this kit is great, I like it.

[@JakeReedmusic]

This is a heart-warming video. Sounds rad!

[@elijahpatrick3164]

Love your videos man!!

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

Kit sounds killer. I liked the kit the 2nd time around with the dampened kick but I preferred the black on black brass snare wide open. That said, I can see a bunch of scenarios where the dampened snare would be just right.

[@FredMoore-3]

Super nice. Killer swing on the hats !

[@stevesipos]

I want one! Sounded great both ways.

[@roberta.blanchette270]

..I like it either way ,But seriously Sound in itself has a groovy vibe specially , music vibes when played with good intent ,I love Drums ,being a Bass player at heart ,Must admit you had me going a bit there on your mic set up ! { SoUnDs GrEaT } PS Gotta Love those Ludwigs ...

[@salthedrummer1]

They sound great!

[@Mark_Bayer]

These are so cool, I like the butterscotch pearl version. I noticed though that the snare and hardware are unfortunately not included and I did see any listing for the matching snare

[@wildamendez]

I don't know but they both set ups of the drums 1. out of the box and 2. with the hole in the kick and tape, sound absolutely fantastic! BTW: Can you share where you got those black industrial lamps you got there by the stairs? lmao I am about to set up my new home studio and would love to get one of those! Love all the gear you got. Thank you!

[@DWISE7]

sound great man

[@christiansloat]

Sounds best straight out of the box!

[@ramonkey2939]

Nice kit Ludwig got something nice here

[@douglasdrummer]

Killer drum sound, ready to go kit!

[@luiszuluaga6575]

The black universal sounded great with the kit. It had a more complimentary darkness to it and felt full even through the small speakers of my computer. 😃🤷🏻‍♂️

[@thrillerboyrecords]

Both sounds good the gaffer tape is a nice adjustment dampened the sound.

[@aleksamrkela831]

The kit sounds looooooovely!

[@studio-arrakenn]

Out of box with the universal snare is my favorite take 😊

[@thetransonicford]

Great sounding drums! A video on how you tune your drums would be interesting.

[@AndrewMasters]

lol it might be a lesson in what not to do!

[@patchalejandro]

you have a beautiful family man... keep it up!

[@adee2569]

I prefer the wide open sound.

[@steverok67]

These all sound great. Do you have a link to that big fat snare thing ?

[@GourtyMaxx]

Drums sound ammmaaazzzziiingggg

[@tonyyahasiel8800]

Kit sounds awesome Andrew !!

[@AndrewMasters]

Thanks 🙏

[@jenspruner4924]

Hello Andrew. I would prefer the first version of that kit with the closed bassdrum and the open snare. It sounds more like a Vintage-Style Rock-Drumkit. I love the crack of that snare it is awesome. The second version may fit a little bit better to song with a more "modern" sound ... But that is only my opinion. Best greetings from Germany . By the way ... a few years ago I was lucky enough to have a drummer in my band who owned a completely restored old Ludwig Black Oyster kit . Fantastic Kit !

[@Not_Andrew_Huberman]

Wow... think I found my next kit thanks

[@anaiybeatx]

This drums sound soo good 😊

[@titoramirez5198]

SOUNDS GNARLY

[@raymondgarrobo9998]

To correct you, at that price and on the website you were showing that's a 3 pc kit and does not come with a snare drum. Great video keep up the good work!

[@gonzu88]

Amazing

[@judzweckl27]

Hi andrew! Awesome review man! Question. Were the audio recordings RAW (No Post Processing/Plugins)? Thanks man! blessings

[@terrymiller111]

Stock, the snare sound reminds me of "D'yer M'ker".

[@Rick-Guitar-Bass-Science-Math]

The only one I personally liked “Deadened” was the snare. It took the ring out. The kick sounded great with the closed front head.

[@jonathankingsofficial]

Why not the C12 Warm audio as overheads.?

[@AndrewMasters]

That's what is set up one the first take, they got swapped after a month for a different session. I'm sure they'll be back up at some point.

[@MichaelFarinaDrums]

Wow! This kit sounds great considering it's price point. Love the finish too!

[@miked5487]

Damn these drums sound huge

[@athonygraham8353]

Great video, very interesting. I wish I knew what "the right snare or kit for the song" means practically sspeaking. Is there a set of rules that you go for a certain sound or drum for pop or rock or ballad or fast? On another subject, do you still have and use your Neve 33609?

[@MakeRomeGreatAgain]

Good video man. Quick question, i was lookin to maybe pop on these but i noticed that all the neusonics had a mount on the rack toms which i didnt like because i prefer a snare stand for my 1up, then i came across your video and i dont see a mount on ur tom? They look exactly like what im looking for. They sound amazing

[@DSharon3]

My preference was the 1st Take sound. I realize that might not fit every genre, so there's that. There was probably an acceptable middle-ground, though. The Take 2 snare sounded a bit choked, and the floor tom developed an unsavory "whang", too. The T2 kick was lifeless. You asked... ;)

[@wyrlismike]

this guy is a monster tracking drums! did the play back have any eq or compression?

[@jimleadbetterdrums]

Tom tone city on these. Kit sounds super warm and juicy.

[@nicktognella3085]

Overall, I think these drums sounded their best wide open (without dampening). However, the chrome Ludwig snare really had a nice crack to it over the Neusonic snare!

[@BougieButler]

Wow I honestly didn't think the 20 inch kick could punch like that. I'm in the market for drums and I wanted to see if the NeuSonic would be worth it or if I should shell out the bucks for the classic maple. Thanks :)

[@jsauce311]

Man I'm in the same boat. What did you decide? These new wraps made it a slightly harder decision

[@BougieButler]

@@jsauce311 yo, yea turns out maple is way outta my budget so I’m gonna save up a bit more and probably go with the neusonic. My last solid kit I had was the Ludwig Epic series and I miss that Ludwig feel. Probs going with 22 inch kick just to be safe

[@jsauce311]

@@BougieButler oh nice! Yeah was trying to track down a used classic maple for cheaper but haven't found the right kit. Think I may just grab a neusonic in that mod config so I can get a 22/12/16 and add a floor tom later

[@HR2635]

sounds good.. especially the snare.. its no WFL III, but for the not so rich drummer its probably a great kit!

[@Rhythmic1]

I have to say I'm more than pleasantly surprised with how great the Neusionics sound. Same with the two snares. I like the kit both ways but I think the toms sound perfect the way you have them with a little bit of muffling. The snares sound a little choked with the sound ring so I'd ditch those and back off the muffling a touch with some other type of tone control. From my rock drummer perspective the bass drum could be a lot more open. As for the resonant bass drum head either way depending on the application.

[@TheBenwaugh69]

I stopped cutting holes in the kick . Switched things up with a large diaphragm mic.. at times I’ll Use a mic on the front head next to the beater .. the idea was to capture the true drum sound .:) either way your getting the job done .💪

[@rwascher]

Wow! I really don't think that there is a "better" in this example. Both setups sound quite different from one another and are quite usable depending on what sound you are going for stylistically. Personally, I loved the openness of the snare in the first example but loved the way the kick sounded on the second example. This kit is amazing!

[@nplcdrums3746]

This is super random but I saw aneusonic the other day and loved how LIGHT it was. Thinking about getting one for gigging, question: does that wrap on the kit make it significantly heavier?

[@AndrewMasters]

It's a very light kit - only owned the wrapped version.

[@that-avr-drummer]

Test 1 toms and snare with test 2 bass drum would be perfection!!

[@floridapunkarchivist]

What's up Andrew...man that :50 to one minute mark of you and your kid.....I'm 40 and don't even want kids....those 10 seconds made me rethink it lol...glad you had such as blast...keep up the great videos bro!

[@twitchbook-1]

do you mind say than the rim of the shell its around 370-450hz

[@ShadyDavid]

Take one Sounds like rock kit Take two Sounds like funk kit i like take one more but the sound of the snare of two is sounds great also

[@Venxi2014]

Great sound man! Are you keeping them?

[@drummerboyharm3078]

Neusonic: The "RC" of Ludwig drums!

[@bradplant872]

Both are viable sounds, depending on what your end goal is and how it sits in the context of the song.

[@DougAustin]

You need to teach the kid to yell “Yeet” when he throws stuff down the stairs.

[@bobbymaddalena4203]

The kit sounds beefy for its size. I prefer the 1st take without the muffling. Thanks for putting this together👍

[@carterleynes6380]

I was considering this drum kit but I saw a couple unfavourable reviews noting poor build quality considering the price. Someone also said they are hard to tune.

[@AndrewMasters]

Not to take away from those, but this kit is one of the lower priced kits that I have and it has become the number one tracking kit in here. The snares change all the time depending on the song but the toms and the kick are really incredible, just sit in the mix. Easy to tune, toms sound amazing. Maybe i'll do an update video as I had just gotten this kit and I know it much better now.

[@carterleynes6380]

@@AndrewMasters ok great Im not sure why the other reviewer thought that way but you think it's good value?

[@thewhitedude11]

I like out the box snare, but the rest of the kit after mods is better. The twang of the snare feels fun. Not sure how it would sound in a mix though. Thank you for inspiration!

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

Agreed.

[@axemanfishing2703]

To my ear the first take with snare with classic sounding, such as Zep ish, and the second take with tape etc and muffling was more modern rock and even country rock.

[@aj5542]

You should do a video on how to tune drums

[@jamesbder5898]

Personally I prefer the 2nd, the one after mod. Fit more my ear. Thank u.

[@jacobkincaid123]

bought a black beauty can't really get it to sound good. Any tips? Yours sounds great! Also, what heads on the snare?

[@AndrewMasters]

I'm not using a black beauty in this video, the metal snare is the universal metal snare. But black beauty snares work amazing for several different tunings. I like the controlled sound heads from remo on them, it's a bit hard to describe tuning processes through a comment but there's some great videos on youtube. Jake reed has a real in depth video.

[@joeldrummer23]

I love take one

[@handidrummer]

hhhhhhWIIIIIDDDDDDE open 😤😤😤😤😤 you gotta love it

[@danielortega3647]

I'm sold. However, there isn't much selection when it comes to the finishes