Pixies (Surfer Rosa) drum sound

[reginaldtarkington]

Hey everyone,

I need some help in recreating the drum sounds from the Pixies' Surfa Rosa album. Here are two examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCD14IrOcIs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3r-xMt9JmM

Any advice on which kick/snare/toms/cymbals/rooms to use would be greatly appreciated! I'd love to create a kit using SSD 3.5 that has this same type of feel.

Thanks
Reginald

[b15fliptop]

I think you could get pretty close on the Old Zep kit. Switch everything to NRG, slap a gate on it. Tune the snare down a couple of steps and trim off some of the decay. Add Dan's Snare, also tuned down a couple of steps. That should get you pretty close on the basic kit. Not sure about the toms without opening up Kontakt, but that part shouldn't be too hard either.

Hope that helps. If I get time later I'll see if I can get more specific.

Now I'm gonna go listen to Surfer Rosa!

[reginaldtarkington]

Thanks b15fliptop! When you say "slap a gate on it" do you mean on the NRG room outputs (in the mixer section) - or an each individual kit piece?

I was kind've thinking the Old Zep kit would get me the closest but that kick drum just doesn't have enough thump for my liking. I love how it sounds - but I just can't get it to sound deep/thumpy enough. Any tips on making the Old Zep kick drum 'thumpier'?

I've never tried detuning the snares in SSD 3.5 so I'll give that a shot.

[b15fliptop]

Yes, gate on the room outputs. I don't think there's a gate in Kontakt, so you'll have to do it on the track in your DAW, assuming you run it as a multi-out.

For more thump, add another kick. Maybe the Tommy Kick, or Never Kick?

[reginaldtarkington]

Hey b15fliptop - I just wanted to say thank you for your suggestions. I used the Old Zep Kit, added the Dan's Snare and Never Kick, changed all the room mics to NRG, and voila......instant Bone Machine! It's scary how close this kit sounds to Dave Lovering's kit on Surfer Rosa. Thanks again!

[b15fliptop]

Glad I could help!