Recreating the 2-Microphone Flaming Lips' 'Yoshimi' Drum Sound | What's That Sound? Ep.18

Using only two microphones, see how Noam & Jessica recreate the vibe-y, energetic drums of the Flaming Lips' "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" record. Specifically, we're looking at the drums in the song "Fight Test". Keep an eye out for a couple "secret" ingredients, like a cheap graphic equalizer.

Recorded by Noam Wallenberg at Rax Trax Recording

#theflaminglips #drums #recording #whatsthatsound

[kyleserafin]

This is such an eye-opening series, seriously underrated. As a guitarist, there's such a fixation around "tone" and gear online, but those conversations rarely address the recording and mixing techniques that transformed the tone in the room into the tone on the record.

[stevendrozd]

Sorry to be a buzz kill. There were no live drums on that song. All programmed samples by Dave and me.

[deputyrock]

It's 3AM. I've just finished a 14-hour session. My ears are shot. The band already left. I've tossed out all the beer bottles. I've emptied all the ashtrays. I've wrapped the cables and put all the mics away. I've shut down all the outboard gear. I've latched the loading dock door. All I want to do is go home and get 4 hours of sleep before I have to come back and do it again. Yet 30 minutes later I'm still at the studio—frantic, desperate, and on the verge of tears because I CAN'T FIND MY F***ING KEYS!!!

[huwvwilliams]

My friend Kliph used to play with them, he's telling me a load of great stories about Dave Fridmann recording techniques. A lot of it from what he said was to do mostly where the drums were set up in the room, sometimes with unconventional micing techniques but as he knew the room so well, he'd get the best results.

[devinwahl]

“Well - those drums are samples! I didn’t play kit on it. “ Stephen Drozd.
Hahaha

[TheloniousBosch]

The trick to this sound was two sm57s, opposed 180°, suspended in lime jello along with a pocket’s worth of loose change, and input gain on preamps maxed. I assume there was THC in the jello.

[eameshigh]

This is the best video series on the YouTube platform

[darwinsaye]

I think the biggest factor that makes the drum sounds unique on that album is the cut and paste technique. I read Steve say somewhere that since he became the bands main arranger, playing most of the instruments in the studio himself instead of just the drums, he started using his previously recorded drum parts, chopping them and rearranging them to fit new songs. Which is why a lot of the time you hear that unique gated sound where cymbals will just abruptly cut off instead of sustaining.

[IndustryLeech]

Please try to re-create the drum sounds from Elvis Costello's "Watching the Detectives". The drums in that track have always sounded incredible to my ear.

[booneh]

Much needed Dave Fridmann discussion. Hopefully you guys tackle something from Pinkerton someday. Perhaps “Across The Sea.”

[jakerslucky]

I love the drum sounds all over this album.

[joshuareid]

Love the low end character of this sound!

[masonianbund]

I couldn’t hit LIKE fast enough. I love this series. You two are doing the Lord’s work.

[germangillig]

great job guys! I like to now how was record the drums for "see change" of beck in 2000s. the sound of thats drums are amazing. Keep on rocking and recording. cheers from argentina

[safewaytoexplore]

I mean I would love to hear you recreate the drum sound on the Manipulator Ablum (The Connection Man for example) by Ty Segall. Love the series!

[xHowieHoward]

Yo, I have never seen that keys/hat trick before! Cool

[Rompler_Rocco]

The Lips are crazy, is my understanding.

There does seem to be mystery around their studio techniques. I remember them saying that to have 6 mics in a kick drum would not be weird for them. Yet the huge drum sound on "Race for the Prize" is 1 mic for the whole kit.

Steven Drozd is definitely one my favorites of all time. But there was a difference on Yoshimi, like the drums were being digitally manipulated after tracking, when compared to their 1993-99 stuff.

Jessica did an amazing job of duplicating his feel! I've never been able to do it. This whole thing is 🔥💋💯

[localgems]

Thanks again for another banger! That snare is so snappy and keys in the hi-hat...you guys are the champs.

[henryhayth]

It's about time you guys talked about The Flaming Lips.

[ghostdog_ninja]

oh yes! dope! and she nails it oh my gosh!!! great playing, great feeling,