Unlock Unique Drum Sounds
Tired of flat, boring drums? Berlin-based engineer and producer Manou Bouillon (Skydojo Studios) shares some of his favorite creative techniques for shaping unique and exciting drum tones. Discover how Moses Schneider, Tchad Blake, Sylvia Massy and Russell Elevado craft characterful drum sounds — through unconventional mic techniques, bold processing, and unexpected combinations. Perfect if you’re after drums with vibe, grit, and personality.
1 video
Elysia
Adding grit to drums with the "Wurst" mic
Moses Schneider demonstrates how to add character and texture to drum recordings using a unique approach with the "Wurst" technique. He employs saturation through distortion pedals and strategically places microphones, such as the SM57 and a custom-built Periscope mic with an inbuilt limiter, to capture a larger-than-life drum sound. The key is positioning the mic equidistant from the snare and kick beater for optimal tone. Schneider further enhances the drum sound by gating and over-compressing with an 1176 compressor, creating a dynamic and textured drum mix. The Periscope mic's inherent distortion and side-chained gating to the snare add a distinct character, making the drums stand out in the mix.