Billie Jean drums

Steamy Williams · 22nd August 2006

Hi Bruce,

I'm sure you get asked about these a lot, but I'd really like to know as much as possible about how these were recorded. For instance:

What mics did you use?

Was everything tracked through the Harrison, or were any outboard preamps used?

How were the mics placed?

How was the drumkit tuned, etc?

I've read comments about baffles you created to isolate the snare and the hi-hat, etc. I've also read comments that some of the drums are from a drum machine, or that the different elements of the acoustic drums were all tracked separately. Can you elaborate on any of this?

Many thanks.

MAProTulz · 22nd August 2006

Just wanted to add that before you feel too peppered with questions - what beautiful work the entire Thriller album is. Every time I hear a track from it, I hear some new detail that I hadn't noticed before. Thriller was one of the very first albums I ever had. Spun it on the Fisher Price record player

. Broke one LP, got another, broke that one, too. Found it on a cassette at a yard sale, wouldn't you know it was the "squealing" media that CBS had a problem with.

Anyone of my generation (whatever the heck we're called...I was born in '77) can immediately recognize Billie Jean from the first downbeat. We may get a little confused between Beat It and Weird Al's Eat It, though

Studiocat · 23rd August 2006

And what parts were looped?!!

Steamy Williams · 26th August 2006

Is was good to hear more about the baffles in one of the other threads. Is there any more you can tell us about the how acheived the sound of the most instantly recognizable drums ever recorded (e.g. what mics were used and where)?

No4PCs · 26th August 2006

Hi Bruce, i want know who did play Billie Jean drums, what used to get that "flanged" cymbal efx type of drums, what mic>amp>chain used too.
What console? Who did play the bass guitar?

desol · 30th August 2006

Hi Bruce!

Thanks for being here.

I was reading thru all these threads and i stumbled across this one...being curious... what do i do...i immediately start listening to billy jean.

...lol

My question is this...the kick SLAMS from the speaker. What is it that makes it 'hit' so hard? You explained earlier that your not a fan of compression...

Words of wisdom for hard hitting kicks...

D.

Bruce Swedien · 31st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Yes please. :D

Here it is!!!!!

22nd August 2006	#1
Steamy Williams Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 1,109 Thread Starter	Billie Jean drums Hi Bruce, I'm sure you get asked about these a lot, but I'd really like to know as much as possible about how these were recorded. For instance: What mics did you use? Was everything tracked through the Harrison, or were any outboard preamps used? How were the mics placed? How was the drumkit tuned, etc? I've read comments about baffles you created to isolate the snare and the hi-hat, etc. I've also read comments that some of the drums are from a drum machine, or that the different elements of the acoustic drums were all tracked separately. Can you elaborate on any of this? Many thanks.

22nd August 2006	#2
MAProTulz Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MA, USA Posts: 182	Billie Jean...and Thriller for that matter... Just wanted to add that before you feel too peppered with questions - what beautiful work the entire Thriller album is. Every time I hear a track from it, I hear some new detail that I hadn't noticed before. Thriller was one of the very first albums I ever had. Spun it on the Fisher Price record player . Broke one LP, got another, broke that one, too. Found it on a cassette at a yard sale, wouldn't you know it was the "squealing" media that CBS had a problem with. Anyone of my generation (whatever the heck we're called...I was born in '77) can immediately recognize Billie Jean from the first downbeat. We may get a little confused between Beat It and Weird Al's Eat It, though __________________ Dan Roth Otitis Media otitis-media.net

26th August 2006	#5
No4PCs Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brasil Posts: 755	cymbals effects Hi Bruce, i want know who did play Billie Jean drums, what used to get that "flanged" cymbal efx type of drums, what mic>amp>chain used too. What console? Who did play the bass guitar? __________________ "Be not fond of the dull smoke-colored light from hell." - Tibetan Book of the Dead

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23rd August 2006	#3
Studiocat Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 368	And what parts were looped?!!

30th August 2006	#6
desol Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: calgary, ab Posts: 334 1 Review written	Hi Bruce! Thanks for being here. I was reading thru all these threads and i stumbled across this one...being curious... what do i do...i immediately start listening to billy jean. ...lol My question is this...the kick SLAMS from the speaker. What is it that makes it 'hit' so hard? You explained earlier that your not a fan of compression... Words of wisdom for hard hitting kicks... D.