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Drums on "I Wonder U" (and 1st 4 tracks of Parade) Subscribed to Sirius to listen to Prince channel (which should be there ALL YEAR!) and they're playing I Wonder U. . . I know the story of how he went to the drums and played all the 1st few tracks of Parade straight through. . . But what is the drum sound on I Wonder U? He was playing acoustic drums I assume but they sound very electronic on the song. Is it all just post-production processing (reverbs and phasers etc.) or did he overdub later with e-drums/drum machines? | |
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GaryMF said: Subscribed to Sirius to listen to Prince channel (which should be there ALL YEAR!) and they're playing I Wonder U. . . I know the story of how he went to the drums and played all the 1st few tracks of Parade straight through. . . But what is the drum sound on I Wonder U? He was playing acoustic drums I assume but they sound very electronic on the song. Is it all just post-production processing (reverbs and phasers etc.) or did he overdub later with e-drums/drum machines? I always assumed it was just an acoustic kit with the snares disengaged on the snare drum. | |
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I haven't listened to the song in a while but I think it was likely processing/effects on the main drum track, along with some Linn hits thrown in | |
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The whole album had the reverb stripped off, that's why the drums sound a little odd because you're used to hearing reverb on drums | |
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The drums on Parade are the complete opposite of what was the prevailing drum sound of that era. One of the many reasons why Parade is great. I don't even think the album sounds like the 80s at all. | |
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Processing and effects. Reverse the drum track. Add reverb. Reverse it again. Tada. You have the signature soft fuzzy woosh sound on the drum track. | |
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That makes sense. | |
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He also used the Fairlight IIx. | |
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It's live drums processed with an AMS RMX16 reverb unit. Specifically the “Non Lin 2” (non-linear), gated reverb preset. Prince was also known to use the "Reverse Tube" preset, particularly on When Doves Cry and Kiss. It fills up a lot of bottom end wen there's no bass. Also, as noted, the snares were turned off on the snare drum. [Edited 6/14/22 8:53am] | |
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Yes but my quesiton was more about the echo'ing or reverbing which make it sound processed vs. a short acoustic drum hit. | |
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My answer is correct, so your mystery is solved. It's an AMS RMX16 reverb unit. It's non-linear, gated reverb and also the Reverse Tube preset. The Reverse Tube preset is most obvious on the kick/bass drum on Kiss. [Edited 6/14/22 8:56am] | |
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