Subscribed to Sirius to listen to Prince channel (which should be there ALL YEAR!) and they're playing I Wonder U.

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I know the story of how he went to the drums and played all the 1st few tracks of Parade straight through.

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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?

GaryMF said:

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

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.

LoveGalore said:

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.

That makes sense.

He also used the Fairlight IIx.

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]

rockford said:

Also, as noted, the snares were turned off on the snare drum.

I think this is the biggest thing for those specific tracks. There's also drum muffling, or a high tuning on the physical kit, I'd guess.

lavendardrummachine said:

rockford said:

Also, as noted, the snares were turned off on the snare drum.

I think this is the biggest thing for those specific tracks. There's also drum muffling, or a high tuning on the physical kit, I'd guess.

Yes but my quesiton was more about the echo'ing or reverbing which make it sound processed vs. a short acoustic drum hit.

GaryMF said:

lavendardrummachine said:

I think this is the biggest thing for those specific tracks. There's also drum muffling, or a high tuning on the physical kit, I'd guess.

Yes but my quesiton was more about the echo'ing or reverbing which make it sound processed vs. a short acoustic drum hit.

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]