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That Motown Sound Last viewed: 2 hours ago

Posts: 186 Threads: 41

Anyone got any tips for making drums sound like the ones on motown recordings? Im talking that very unique 60s sound. Ive heard of putting wallets and stuff on the snare already but any specifics with the tuning?

Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 1142 Threads: 134

Great question. These might help:

http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2009/06/secrets-of-motown/#.VBG9IRAe84Q

http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2011/06/uriel-jones-architect-of-the-motown-sound/#.VBG7dBAe84Q

You're going to be surprised! ;) Hint: Breakout your stencil or jellybean kit and cut back to two cymbals.

-Tim

Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 2264 Threads: 83

And the documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" might help too if you haven't viewed it already.

The Motown Sound is irresistible. I can see why the record label flourished. The success had more to do with the studio band than the artists. At least until the point where Stevie Wonder and Marvin started taking control of their music in the early 1970s.

Even some of the little known tunes from the B-sides of 45s from the Supremes are great..

The greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. - Joyce Meyer
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Tim - Great articles! Thanks for posting them.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Give this a listen. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex4rKPV1FHo"]Motown Drums - YouTube[/ame]

and this [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iUPLkAsAFo"]Uriel Jones Motown Funk Brothers Drummer - YouTube[/ame]

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 186 Threads: 41

Great articles. Sounds like Mcdonalds fries on drum heads is the way to go :P

Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 507 Threads: 31

From thornbeck

Great question. These might help:http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2009/06/secrets-of-motown/#.VBG9IRAe84Qhttp://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2011/06/uriel-jones-architect-of-the-motown-sound/#.VBG7dBAe84QYou're going to be surprised! ;) Hint: Breakout your stencil or jellybean kit and cut back to two cymbals.-Tim

Excellent articles! Also nice videos from V2K. Love this place!

Believe it or else!
Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 518 Threads: 70

Recording-wise, worth checking out the following, too:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun08/articles/daptone.htm

12/14/20 Mahogany INDe Bop Cocktail Hybrid

Late 50s Black Nitron 3 Ply Gretsch 13/16/20 w/ Max Roach Snare
Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 186 Threads: 41

Thanks for the help guys, very informative stuff for sure. But does anyone know if the drums are tuned way up (they sound like it) or some other way? I particularly want my snare to sound like that. Or is it that the unique sound may just be the way the microphones were set up etc.

Posted on 10 years ago
#9
Posts: 878 Threads: 190

yes they are great articles. Funny thing for me is - I don't want my drums to sound like that at all. 1 or 2 mics? Give me 10 minimum please. I'm not interested in less sonic quality than the era can give me.

Home Of The Trout
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Posted on 10 years ago
#10
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