Tillie Doyle
Led Zeppelin's drummer, John Bonham, is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential drummers of all time. His powerful and precise playing style, coupled with his innovative use of large drum kits, has been credited as a key factor in the band's success. The drums on Led Zeppelin's debut album, particularly on the opening track Good Times Bad Times, showcase Bonham's unique talents, with his rapid triplet playing style intriguing both fans and peers. The drum recording on this album was engineered by Glyn Johns, who has worked on several classic rock albums. The topic of drum panning on Led Zeppelin's debut album involves exploring the specific placement and techniques used during recording to capture the distinctive sound of John Bonham's drumming.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drummer | John Bonham |
| Drum Kit | Yamaha |
| Drum Head | Coated and no holes |
| Kick Drum Size | 24/26" |
| Tom Sizes | 14", 16", 18" |
| Snare Tuning | High pitch |
| Drum Sound | Lively, with a "slap back" effect |
| Drum Recording Time | 30 hours |
| Recording Studio | Olympic Studios in London |
| Recording Year | 1968 |
| Drum Solo Track | 'Moby Dick' |
| Drum-Centric Track | 'When The Levee Breaks' |
| Drum-Centric Track | 'Dazed and Confused' |
| Drum-Centric Track | 'Good Times Bad Times' |
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What You'll Learn
John Bonham's drumming style
Bonham's style was also influenced by his use of large drum kits, including 24/26" kick drums, 14", 16" or 18" toms, and large bass drums. He tuned both the batter (top) and resonant (bottom) drumheads to a high pitch, which, combined with his powerful playing style, created a booming sound. This sound was further enhanced by the early mic placement techniques of producer Glyn Johns, who used just three mics to capture Bonham's playing.
Bonham's drumming was technically impressive, showcasing a range of mixed and varied techniques with a unique, identifiable style. He was known for his fast and furious playing, but also for his ability to adapt to different musical styles, including samba, folk, reggae, and funk. His bass drum triplets on "Good Times Bad Times" and the galloping drive of "The Immigrant Song" are particularly notable.
Outside of his time with Led Zeppelin, Bonham played drums for other artists, including The Family Dogg, Screaming Lord Sutch, Lulu, Jimmy Stevens, and Wings. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and in 2016, Rolling Stone named him the greatest drummer of all time.
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The 'slap back' effect
The slapback effect, also known as slapback delay or slap echo, is a sound effect that has been used in music production since the 1950s. It is characterised by a short, single-repeat echo that occurs between 60 and 200 milliseconds after the original sound, creating a doubling effect that adds depth and dimension to the audio. The effect gets its name from the way the echo quickly 'slaps back' at the listener.
The slapback effect was pioneered by Sam Phillips, the producer and founder of Sun Records, who created it using two Ampex 350 tape recorders. Phillips would record the sound on one tape machine while simultaneously capturing the playback on another, creating a slight delay between the two. This delay resulted in a short, snappy echo that added depth and a rhythmic bounce to the audio, compensating for the lack of natural reverb or echo in the recording studio.
The slapback effect quickly became popular in the 1950s, particularly in rockabilly and early pop genres. It has been used by artists ranging from Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash to The Beatles and modern pop producers. The effect is traditionally achieved using tape delay, but it can also be created with delay pedals or digital delay units.
When using the slapback effect, it is important to consider the delay time and feedback parameters. The delay time for slapback is typically shorter for uptempo mixes, ranging from 60 to 120 milliseconds, while longer/slower delay times are used for mixes with a slower tempo. The feedback parameter controls the number of echoes, with a setting of 0% resulting in a single echo and higher settings creating additional reflections and a longer "decay".
Overall, the slapback effect is a powerful tool in music production that can add depth, character, and rhythm to a mix without overwhelming or muddying the original signal. It has become a staple in various genres, including rockabilly, country, and pop, and its applications are limited only by the creativity of the producer or engineer.
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Condenser mics vs dynamics mics
Microphones are an essential part of the recording process, and selecting the right one is crucial to capturing the sound accurately. The two main categories of microphones are condenser and dynamic. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, understanding the differences between these two types can help in choosing the most suitable microphone for a particular application.
Condenser Microphones
Condenser microphones are known for offering better frequency response and dynamics. They are more sensitive and will pick up more of the room than dynamic microphones. They are typically used in studio applications to achieve a bigger, natural tone. Condensers use variable capacitance, with sound waves vibrating the diaphragm and a magnetic plate behind it to boost voltage, which is then sent through a phantom power supply to increase it and send it to the microphone. This type of microphone requires a power supply, and they are often more delicate in design, making them suitable for studio use rather than on tour. Condensers can have a variety of polar patterns, and some even have a switch to change the pattern.
Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are ideal for live performances and capturing powerful vocals. They are less sensitive and can support higher sound pressure levels, making them suitable for loud sound sources. Dynamics use electromagnetism to turn sound waves into voltage. They work like speakers but in reverse, with sound waves vibrating the diaphragm to create electricity, which is then increased with a transformer and sent to the microphone output. Dynamic microphones can be used without a power supply, and they are generally more robust than condensers. They are commonly used for vocals, brass instruments, keyboards, drums, and guitar amplifiers.
In summary, condenser microphones are ideal for studio use, offering a wider range of polar patterns and better frequency response. On the other hand, dynamic microphones are better suited for live performances and capturing loud sound sources, as they are more durable and can handle higher sound pressure levels.
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Bonham's drum solo in 'Moby Dick'
John Bonham's drum solo in Moby Dick is widely considered one of the greatest drum solos of all time. Moby Dick is an instrumental track by English rock band Led Zeppelin, featured on their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. The song was named after the 1851 novel of the same name by Herman Melville.
Bonham's solo in Moby Dick is often described as intense and groundbreaking. During live performances, his playing would be so vigorous that his drumsticks would break, and he would continue playing with his hands, sometimes drawing blood. Bonham's solos in Moby Dick could last as little as 6 minutes or, more frequently, as long as 30 minutes, while the rest of the band would leave the stage after playing the introduction.
Music journalist Steve Pilkington described the track as "essentially, a drum solo bookended by a token blues-rock riff." The song emerged after Led Zeppelin guitarist and producer Jimmy Page found Bonham improvising in the studio, recorded parts of his solos, and pieced them together.
Bonham's drum solo in Moby Dick has been influential, with many modern drummers emulating his style and technique. Bonham, born on May 31st, 1948, is regarded as one of the best rock drummers of all time, known for his "pioneering use of bass drum triplets" and his ability to speed up the beat without losing the basic triplet pattern.
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Bonham's drum intro in 'Rock and Roll'
John Bonham's drum intro in Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" has become one of the most iconic drum parts in rock history. The story behind the intro is that it came about spontaneously during a jam session while the band was trying to finish the track "Four Sticks" at Headley Grange, a mansion in Hampshire, England. Bonham began playing the drum introduction from Little Richard's "Keep A-Knockin'", to which guitarist Jimmy Page added a Chuck Berry-style guitar riff. The tapes were rolling, and within 15 minutes, the basis of "Rock and Roll" was completed.
Bonham's playing style has been described as having a huge punch, sometimes likened to a train passing overhead. He brought an unmistakable groove to the Led Zeppelin sound, a style that was soft and deep, particularly in mid-tempos with psychedelic aromas like in "Dazed and Confused". Bonham's drum kits were known for their large sizes, with 24/26" kick drums and 14", 16", or 18" toms, all with coated drum heads and no holes. He also tuned both the batter (top) and resonant (bottom) drum heads to a pretty high pitch.
The "Rock and Roll" intro has been described as "ghosted all the way through," meaning that the snare is played softly and quietly, adding a subtle layer to the groove. This style of playing can also be heard on the Elvis Hawaii special, where Ronnie Tutt plays the snare in a similar manner. Bonham's ability to lay back on the beat and use triplets and power play, while also staying strong in the pocket, has been attributed to his influences from soul, R&B, and other rock drummers.
The "Rock and Roll" intro has also sparked some controversy, with some claiming that it was "ripped off" or swiped from Little Richard's "Keep A-Knockin'". However, it's important to note that Led Zeppelin has been open about borrowing ideas from other artists, particularly black blues artists. While the drum intro may have been inspired by Little Richard's song, Bonham made it his own by adding his unique style and feel.
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Frequently asked questions
Led Zeppelin's drummer, John Bonham, is considered one of the greatest and most influential drummers of all time. His powerful and precise style, feel for rhythm, and ingenuity set him apart from others. Bonham's large drum kits, with 24/26" kick drums and 14", 16", or 18" toms, also contributed to his unique sound.
Some of John Bonham's most notable drum tracks with Led Zeppelin include "Good Times Bad Times," "Moby Dick," "When The Levee Breaks," and "Immigrant Song."
John Bonham's unique sound was due to a combination of his technique, the size of his drum kits, and the way his drums were recorded and mixed. He often used large kick drums with coated drum heads and no holes, and tuned his drums to a high pitch.
Yes, one notable drum technique used by Led Zeppelin is the "slap back" effect, which creates a sense of delay. This can be heard on tracks like "The Ocean." Additionally, Bonham often used syncopation and upbeats in his playing, as heard in the intro to "Rock and Roll."
