So, how DO you get that Led Zeppelin sound, anyway?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 88fingers
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88fingers

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I heard that they used to put the drum set on top of a wooden staircase and mic from below. Is this true? And if so, how does it work to their advantage? Wouldn't the parallel walls and the declination of the stairs have a negative impact on the sound walls?
 
Get John Bonham. Put him behind a drumset. Set up a mic. presto: Led Zeppelin sound.
 
Dethska said:
Get John Bonham. Put him behind a drumset. Set up a mic. presto: Led Zeppelin sound.
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I concur, except add 2 more mics to that and you've got it...
 
I also concur, but you need the rest of LZ in there also, otherwise all you get is the Bonham sound....still not too shabby ;)
 
Rimshot said:
I also concur, but you need the rest of LZ in there also, otherwise all you get is the Bonham sound....still not too shabby ;)
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I guess the difference is the Led Zeppelin sound vs. the Led Zeppelin DRUM sound. :D
 
Bonzo tip:

Play the drums hard, but play the cymbals soft. Finesse.
 
You can do some Google searches on Eddie Kramer for interviews about Zep.

I THINK he mentions in the article here about the stairwell technique-This link has been hit or miss, but if it comes up scroll down to the Eddie Kramer piece.
(I want to say I recall reading that a mic was placed at the top of a stone stairwell, but who knows?)

http://emusician.com/ac/september_2000/

Here's a link that offers a look at some Zep instruments and gear.
(It might offer some links or articles as well...I don't know)

http://www.led-zeppelin.org/reference/gear.html


The best way I've found to get John Bonhams sound 100% EVERYTIME is to put in a Zep CD and press play... Beyond that it MIGHT be impossible.

:)
 
All joking aside and not mentioning the exceptional musicianship of Bonham and the rest of LZ,hats off to the extremely creative recording genius. We are spoiled today wit all sorts of peripheral gizmos to process sound. Sometimes, I think that takes some of the magic out of it (or maybe puts too much false magic into it.) The recordings of Led Zeppelin depended on "real acoustic" sound rather than simulated. Knowing and using a space, understanding how sound travels and just damn great skills and craftsmanship
resulted in that signature sound.
.....and THEY OWN IT by the way.
Wicked great musicians is the other requirement.
 
88fingers said:
I heard that they used to put the drum set on top of a wooden staircase and mic from below. Is this true? And if so, how does it work to their advantage? Wouldn't the parallel walls and the declination of the stairs have a negative impact on the sound walls?
Click to expand...

When they recorded at Headley Grange, they put the drums in a hallway at the bottom of the staircase and hung the mics overhead.


To simulate that you cold try distance micing your drums, or adding a little reverb
 
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