Relationship between LED Zeppelin and Drums
LED Zeppelin was a renowned British rock band that was active from 1968 to 1980. During their 12 year career, they had sold tens of millions of albums with unforgettable tracks like Black Dog, Kashmir, and Stairway to Heaven. The band’s unique sound was largely brought together by the powerful drumming of John Bonham. Bonham was known for his heavy hitting, intricate fills, and dramatic use of the tom-toms. But what’s equally impressive is how he was able to record and play Led Zeppelin’s iconic drum tracks in the studio.
How did LED Zeppelin Record the Drums?
The first step Led Zeppelin took in the studio was to create space for John Bonham to record in. According to engineer Eddie Kramer, who recorded some of the band’s most famous albums, the band’s preference was to build a room inside the studio where Bonham, the kit, and microphones could all be isolated.
There were several techniques used to record the drums. Generally speaking, Led Zeppelin employed a combination of close mic recording and ambient mic recording. Close mic recording involves placing a mic at a very close distance to the drum or drum part in order to capture the full sound of the instrument. Ambient mic recording involved a mic placed some distance away from the drums in order to capture the “room sound” or the natural reverb of the environment.
Led Zeppelin also used a technique called “overdubbing” to ensure that Bonham recorded precise, powerful drums. Overdubbing is a way of layering multiple drum tracks on top of one another in order to create a fuller sound.
Finally, Led Zeppelin’s approach to recording the drums was enhanced by the team’s commitment to experimentation and exploration. The band allowed Bonham the freedom to experiment with different drum sounds and techniques to see what best suited their songs.
Different Gear utilized in Recording
LED Zeppelin was unique in the way that they mixed drums for conventional recordings different then many bands at the time favored mixing live on the floor. To achieve their desired sound, they used a variety of different gear. This included large Diaphragm condenser mic’s for close mic’ing, as well as ribbon mic’s at a distance for capturing the room sound.
The band also incorporated an array of vintage gear to capture Bonham’s stunning drum work. This included the use of vintage Neve 1073 EQ’s to shape the sound of the drums, as well as vintage Fairchild 670 compressors to control the dynamic range.
The combination of all these elements helped give Led Zeppelin recordings their unmistakable sound.
Mixing Techniques
Led Zeppelin’s mixing techniques were far more complex than simply blending mics and EQs together. They employed various techniques to ensure their mixes stood out. This included using very specific equalization techniques to give more presence to the drums.
They also employed a ‘Boquet’ technique, which involved using multiple aux sends to give the drums more ‘drive’ and excitement in the mix. By blending different drum elements together it gave the drum sounds the dynamic ranges and atmospheres the band was seeking.
The band also made extensive use of effects, such as echo and delay, to give the drums a unique and powerful ‘sound’.
Summary of Recording Techniques
Led Zeppelin employed a range of techniques to capture the unique sound of John Bonham’s drum work. These techniques included building a specially isolated room for the drums, close and ambient mic recording, overdubbing, an array of vintage gear, and intricate mixing techniques.
Analysis of Recording Techniques
The success of Led Zeppelin’s drum recordings were in large part thanks to their relentless commitment to experimenting with different techniques in the studio. Rather than commit to one specific approach, they incorporated various techniques to capture the uniqueness of John Bonham’s playing.
The band also emphasized the importance of good engineering. One of the most critical aspects of recording drums is to ensure that the mic-ing techniques are applied correctly. If not, you won’t be able to control the dynamics of the drums which could result in a muddy-sounding mix.
Led Zeppelin also recognized the value of creativity and experimentation when recording drums. They encouraged Bonham to explore different sounds and techniques in order to capture the perfect drum sound for each track.
Conclusion and Modern Recording
The combination of all these different techniques and approaches helped Led Zeppelin capture some of the most iconic drum sounds in rock and roll. While modern recording techniques may be more refined, Led Zeppelin showed us the importance of experimentation and innovation when it comes to capturing drums in the studio.
