Spice Up Your Drums With Pedals
Looking for more character in your drum recordings and mixes? Learn how Vance Powell (Jack White, The Raconteurs), Tchad Blake (Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys) and St. Vincent get juicy with pedals 🥁✨ No fancy studio required – just a few guitar pedals and the courage to experiment!
2 videos
Puremix
Record snare with distorted delay for character and depth
Vance Powell employs a unique technique to add character and depth to the snare by using a dedicated mic, which he calls the "Sprinkle to taste" mic, placed under the snare as an effects mic. This mic is routed through a chain of guitar pedals, including the Pigtronix Polysaturator for distortion and a custom analog delay pedal, which together create a reverb-like sustain. The delay and distortion enhance the snare's sustain, giving it a deeper, more textured sound. Powell uses a gate on his console to eliminate noise when the snare isn't being played, ensuring a clean and focused effect. By experimenting with phase alignment, Powell further refines the snare's sound, ultimately deciding that the out-of-phase setting provides a more desirable tonal quality. This creative approach results in a snare sound that stands out with added character and depth.
Reverb.com
Breathing life into MIDI drums with pedal effects
St. Vincent breathes life and vibe into MIDI drum patterns by using a creative chain of effects pedals. The Chase Bliss Habit and Hologram Microcosm, which function as both delays and phrase loopers, introduce randomness and chaos, transforming otherwise lifeless drum sounds into vibrant, manipulated, and interesting textures. To enhance the character and aggression of the drums, St. Vincent employs the Walrus Audio Janus for distortion, adding a gritty edge that makes the drums stand out with more personality and intensity.