Modern rock drums

**bjk** · 08.06.21, 01:10 PM

Am I the only one that notices pretty much all modern drums the last 10 years or so all sound the same? Same homogenized flat cardboard sound. Just heard the new GNR song, Wolfgangs album, same thing. Are they all using drum machines to record?

**Brett** · 08.06.21, 01:26 PM

Dude you know Wolfgang played drums on his album.

**Sam Vs. Dave** · 08.06.21, 02:07 PM

Cardboard drum kits are a great way to save money.

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 08.06.21, 02:13 PM

"I'm the man in the box" ...

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 08.06.21, 02:18 PM

A lot of modern drum tracks are unfortunately "snapped to the grid" so there are absolutely no time or tempo fluctuations. Gone are the days of CVH where time was fluid and the playing full of life.

But, yes, it does seem like producers are all in love with a certain set of drum tones for hard rock and metal these days. Kind of reminds me of the 80s when so many producers overdid it with the damn gated reverb on snares.

I would hope that Wolf in the future would bring a bigger variety of drums and tones to his music, like his Uncle Al or Danny Carey from TOOL who is one of Wolf's biggest influences as a drummer.

**jimmy812** · 08.07.21, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by JUNGLE DRUMMER

I would hope that Wolf in the future would bring a bigger variety of drums and tones to his music, like his Uncle Al or Danny Carey from TOOL who is one of Wolf's biggest influences as a drummer.

Yeah, I was hoping Wolf would have adopted that tone-chasing trait from his dad and uncle. His album was produced well, but the drums sound kind of run-of-the-mill. The album is still great, but if I had to nit-pick it'd be about the lack of tone and that grid-crap. Although I imagine the grid made things easier on him in recording since he was playing all the instruments. Having the timing be more "live" would have complicated things a bit more, I'd imagine.

**bjk** · 08.07.21, 07:40 AM

Yeah. There’s just something lifeless and sterile about them. Maybe it’s the grid thing that makes it all sound like a drum machine. It’s just the first thing I notice when I hear modern rock.

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 08.07.21, 08:23 AM

Snapping everything to the grid tends to make everything too precise and "perfect". Lol, no way CVH does the outro to DOA on a grid.

As Jimmy said, maybe it did make recording easier for Wolf since he played everything.

**Number 47** · 08.07.21, 11:43 AM

Was listening to the latest AC/DC album the other night. Even bands like them are affected by this grid stuff. No life or excitement in the drumming.

It's all kind of boring after a few listens... unlike their classic albums that still blow me away and I never get tired of.

I hope I'm right about PWR UP... because it's all just so sterile and bland... or maybe they are just old and boring now.

**CaboChris** · 08.07.21, 11:47 AM

I have no idea what y'all are talking about.

"Grid"?

**Number 47** · 08.07.21, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by CaboChris

I have no idea what y'all are talking about.

"Grid"?

**jimmy812** · 08.07.21, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by JUNGLE DRUMMER

Snapping everything to the grid tends to make everything too precise and "perfect". Lol, no way CVH does the outro to DOA on a grid.

As Jimmy said, maybe it did make recording easier for Wolf since he played everything.

At least with VH you had the brothers who had their own tones. That certainly would have gone a long way in overcoming the 'blandness' of the grid. Fortunately they were recorded during simpler times. lol

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 08.07.21, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Number 47

Was listening to the latest AC/DC album the other night. Even bands like them are affected by this grid stuff. No life or excitement in the drumming.

It's all kind of boring after a few listens... unlike their classic albums that still blow me away and I never get tired of.

I hope I'm right about PWR UP... because it's all just so sterile and bland... or maybe they are just old and boring now.

You're probably right. But, in all honesty I have found every AC/DC album post-Razor's Edge to be bland and sterile. Sorry.

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 08.07.21, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by jimmy812

At least with VH you had the brothers who had their own tones. That certainly would have gone a long way in overcoming the 'blandness' of the grid. Fortunately they were recorded during simpler times. lol

Alex has always talked about time and tempos being "fluid". For he and Ed it was about letting the music breathe, he would push the tempo and band when needed, but also dial it back and bring it down at other times. A lot of modern music just lacks those dynamics and the human element because of the overproduction.

Listen to any old VH or Zeppelin or Who records and it is guaranteed there are going to be fluctuations in time and tempos, but the spontaneity and energy of those records are a large part of what made them so great.

**jimmy812** · 08.07.21, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by JUNGLE DRUMMER

You're probably right. But, in all honesty I have found every AC/DC album post-Razor's Edge to be bland and sterile. Sorry.

LOL...I actually thought Razor's Edge was the beginning of the "bland and sterile" era, outside of Thunderstruck. Brian's voice was too far gone at that point and I didn't like Slade on drums for them either. Nothing against him, I guess I just prefer Rudd with the band.

I actually liked Black Ice. There seemed to be some inspiration on that album and Brian's voice had improved greatly. And Pwr Up has good songs on it (much better than Rock or Bust). But they're just not memorable anymore. I agree with 47's comments. Maybe they needed "Mutt" to return. lol