help getting a modern sound from a vintage drumset

nicoides · 16th November 2009

Hi there.
When discussing modern vs vintage drums we sometimes hear that you can get both vintage and modern sounds from a good vintage set. I've recently acquired some late 60s ludwigs so I'm anxious to prove this statement right. Before going out for new heads and doing some experimenting I wanted to get some tips from you guys to get the most out of my new (old) drums. There's quite a lot of information on getting vintage sounds out there i.e ambassadors coated on batters, clears on reso, high tuned resonant heads, fewer and distants mics, etc.. But what about modern rock sounds with vintage drums? It is usually brought up that the rounder bearing edges of older kits don't allow the JAW modern tuning. Any ideas or tips on head selection/ tuning will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, from argentina!

chrisso · 17th November 2009

Well there are many modern sounds.
I guess many modern sounds are quite punchy and bright.
Perhaps a clear batter head?
I've used Evans G2 clears and got a modern sound.
You could experiment with their G1+ heads or EC2's.
Or maybe emperor clears by remo.

skylabfilmpop · 18th November 2009

Drumagog?? Sounds snarky but true, Get a good sounding kit, maybe an alternate kick drum (eg I have a 67 Ludwig kit and alt 88 Yamaha rec Custom kick) and if I need more modern tom sounds I layer in some attack heavy samples.

gabriel_au · 18th November 2009

imo you can get modern tone out of a vintage kit as much as you can get vintage tone out of a modern kit

soundsundergroun · 18th November 2009

modern sounds = modern player.

dudeitsree · 22nd November 2009

I think the kick sound might be the most challenging, because it is most likely a 14" depth. The huge and punchy tone most modern kicks have are because they are 18" depth. I would recommend clear 2 ply heads (evans G2, Remo Emperor) on the batter of the toms and a Remo Power Stroke 3 clear or Evans EQ3 Clear (more or a plasticy attack). And tune them low... like flappy almost. Thats at least what I do. Hope that helps.

16th November 2009	#1
nicoides Gear interested Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 5 Thread Starter	help getting a modern sound from a vintage drumset Hi there. When discussing modern vs vintage drums we sometimes hear that you can get both vintage and modern sounds from a good vintage set. I've recently acquired some late 60s ludwigs so I'm anxious to prove this statement right. Before going out for new heads and doing some experimenting I wanted to get some tips from you guys to get the most out of my new (old) drums. There's quite a lot of information on getting vintage sounds out there i.e ambassadors coated on batters, clears on reso, high tuned resonant heads, fewer and distants mics, etc.. But what about modern rock sounds with vintage drums? It is usually brought up that the rounder bearing edges of older kits don't allow the JAW modern tuning. Any ideas or tips on head selection/ tuning will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, from argentina!

17th November 2009	#2
chrisso Gear Guru Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Oz Posts: 16,836	Well there are many modern sounds. I guess many modern sounds are quite punchy and bright. Perhaps a clear batter head? I've used Evans G2 clears and got a modern sound. You could experiment with their G1+ heads or EC2's. Or maybe emperor clears by remo. __________________ Chris Whitten

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18th November 2009	#3
skylabfilmpop Gear addict Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 480	Drumagog?? Sounds snarky but true, Get a good sounding kit, maybe an alternate kick drum (eg I have a 67 Ludwig kit and alt 88 Yamaha rec Custom kick) and if I need more modern tom sounds I layer in some attack heavy samples.

18th November 2009	#4
gabriel_au Gear nut Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 77	imo you can get modern tone out of a vintage kit as much as you can get vintage tone out of a modern kit

18th November 2009	#5
soundsundergroun Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 729	modern sounds = modern player.

22nd November 2009	#6
dudeitsree Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 270	I think the kick sound might be the most challenging, because it is most likely a 14" depth. The huge and punchy tone most modern kicks have are because they are 18" depth. I would recommend clear 2 ply heads (evans G2, Remo Emperor) on the batter of the toms and a Remo Power Stroke 3 clear or Evans EQ3 Clear (more or a plasticy attack). And tune them low... like flappy almost. Thats at least what I do. Hope that helps.