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drums from “new person, same old mistakes” by tame impala | ToneDB

new person, same old mistakes

tame impala

drums

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A punchy, compressed drum sound with a slightly lo-fi, vintage vibe, characterized by its tight low-end and crisp high-end. The drums are relatively dry, but with a hint of room ambience.

Gear

Ludwig Drum Kitinstrument
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Neumann U87microphone
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Empirical Labs Distressorprocessing
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The Story

The drums on "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" were recorded by Kevin Parker at his home studio in Fremantle, Western Australia. Parker typically employs close-miking techniques on his Ludwig drum kit and applies heavy compression to achieve the characteristic punchy, controlled sound that defines Tame Impala's drum production. The tight, lo-fi aesthetic comes from Parker's preference for minimal room ambience and aggressive processing that reduces dynamic range.

Production Credits

Producer: Kevin Parker

Engineer: Kevin Parker

Recorded at: Fremantle, Western Australia

Signal Chain

Instrument: Ludwig Drum Kit

Microphone: Neumann U87

Processing: Empirical Labs Distressor

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Ludwig-style drum kit for a similar fundamental tone.
  • Use close miking techniques on each drum to capture a detailed sound.
  • Apply heavy compression using a plugin like the Empirical Labs Distressor to achieve a punchy and controlled sound.
  • Experiment with EQ to carve out unwanted frequencies and enhance the desired characteristics of each drum.
  • Consider adding a touch of room reverb or ambience to create a sense of space.

Original Gear

  • Ludwig Drum Kit(drums)
  • Neumann U87(mic)
  • Empirical Labs Distressor(compressor)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Ludwig Club Date 4-Piece Shell Pack$800-$1200

Alternative to: Ludwig Drum Kit

Provides the classic Ludwig warmth and punch that forms the foundation of Parker's drum sound

ReverbSweetwater
Warm Audio WA-87 R2$400-$500

Alternative to: Neumann U87

Captures similar clarity and presence for close-miking drums with the U87's characteristic sound at a fraction of the cost

ReverbSweetwater
Klanghelm DC8C3 Plugin$40-$60

Alternative to: Empirical Labs Distressor

Delivers the aggressive, character-rich compression needed for that punchy, controlled Tame Impala drum sound

ReverbSweetwater
Warm Audio WA-2A Optical Compressor$600-$800

Alternative to: Empirical Labs Distressor

Provides smooth optical compression that can achieve similar punch and control for the drum bus

ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57 (3-pack)$300-$400

Alternative to: Close drum micing setup

Industry-standard dynamic mics perfect for close-miking individual drums to capture the detailed, punchy sound Parker achieves

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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