What's the reason for Sleep Token's distinctive live drum sound during their performances? Turns out, it's a joke that turned into a staple due to the drummer and the band's fondness for it in rehearsals.
Spilling the Beans on Sleep Token's Thumping Drums
If you've ever found yourself wondering about the peculiar East Asian-inspired drum setup that sets Sleep Token's live performances apart, your curiosity has now been satisfied. Behind the bewitching performance lies a combination of science, taste, and the search for the perfect sound.
Rather than being some ritualistic or esoteric choice, Sleep Token's drumming gear decisions are grounded in the realms of practicality and good musical instincts. "Every sound engineer I've ever met used the D6 and swore it was the mic for kick drum," says Sleep Token's Front of House Engineer, Thom Pike.
The Audix D6, now a classic and widely acclaimed for its dynamic capabilities, has become a go-to choice for kick drums in various musical genres. Its resilience and high SPL handling make it a popular pick in the intense, high-speed demands of the metal scene.
While the original D6 already holds a esteemed position in Sleep Token's drum arsenal, the latest iteration, the D6X, has wowed even the most seasoned metal acts, including Sleep Token themselves. Pike shares, "I have never used anything but the D6 on kick in my professional career. The D6X makes a great mic even better by giving you the versatility of different sounds."
The Quest for Perfection
The D6X builds upon the D6's legacy, offering three position switches that duplicate its revered frequency response while adding two further curves with increased midrange and high-mids. Though the new mic hasn't been put through an A/B test or live fire yet, Pike eagerly anticipates the results.
Pike's fondness for the D6 inspired him to experiment with it beyond traditional drum applications, leading to surprising results—even on the toms. "We tried it as a joke during soundcheck one day, and both the drummer, II, and I loved it so much that we kept it. Now, it's our standard setup."
The mics in Sleep Token's tom lineup have a unique profile, being larger than other microphones from the D series and reminiscent of small drums or coffee mugs to observers. "But the sound is well worth the visual oddity," Pike remarks. "Each tom has its own D6."
Advice for the Aspiring Live Engineer
Pike's dedication to experimentation hasn't stopped at the toms. He's recently added Audix's tiny SCX1HC condenser pencil mics to his collection, which he uses to capture fine details in smaller cymbals like splashes.
His journey in live engineering has taught him the value of inquiry. "Never be afraid to ask questions," he advises. "There's no such thing as a dumb question. The devastating thing is to make a blunder because you were too shy to ask."
With constant learning and ceaseless experimentation, Pike ascended to the high-pressure world of rock engineering. Now, he imparts the wisdom earned from veteran FOH engineers still seeking knowledge to up-and-coming engineers: don't shy away from asking questions.
Technology is a crucial element in Sleep Token's pursuit of the perfect sound, with their Front of House Engineer, Thom Pike, utilizing the Audix D6X, a advanced microphone that offers versatile sound options, in their music setup. In the realm of entertainment, Pike's experimental approach with technology extends beyond traditional drum applications, even using it for capturing fine details in smaller cymbals like splashes, demonstrating his dedication to using technology to enhance music performance.
