Posts Tagged ‘Matt Sorum’

Guns N’ Roses Matt Sorum Depends on HARMAN’s Lexicon PCM 96 at His Own Drac Studios

by Definition Branding & Marketing Posted: Thursday, 1/24/2013

ANAHEIM, California – Matt Sorum is one of rock’s best-known drummers and for good reason. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year with Guns N’ Roses, Sorum was the percussive powerhouse for many of the band’s hardest-hitting songs. Sorum isn’t just a one-dimensional head-pounder, he also owns Drac Studios in Los Angeles which is equipped with an inviting blend of retro and cutting-edge instruments and gear, including HARMAN’s Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Plug-In Bundle and PCM 96 Stereo Reverb/Effects Processor.

“Lexicon has always maintained the best quality of effects and has been a standard in the recording studio since I can remember,” said Sorum. “I’ve always loved the reverbs and effects that Lexicon can deliver, since I first started hearing Lexicon products in the late 1970s.”

Sorum made the move to plug-ins a few years ago, but still finds himself drawn to outboard gear. “I love the PCM Native Reverb Bundle for its easy interface with computer recording software, its ability to save favorite settings and come back to them instantly and for its variety of exceptional reverb sounds and types. However, I’m still a huge fan of outboard effects and EQ.” Sorum uses the PCM Native Reverb Bundle and the PCM 96 in a Pro Tools-based recording environment.

“I still use an analog Trident mixing console and a lot of outboard gear, including the PCM 96. I like a ‘hands-on’ feel, whether I’m using an outboard piece of gear with knobs – or a plug-in. Sometimes I like using a plug-in and sometimes the PCM 96 is what I reach for, but it’s all good, and there’s really nothing like those classic, lush Lexicon reverbs for adding richness and depth to vocals, drums and other instruments.”

Sorum is currently using the PCM 96 on a new recording project with his band Diamond Baby (Sorum plays under the alias Baron Von Storm). He’s also just finished recording an album from all-star band Kings of Chaos, featuring Sorum, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) Duff McKagan and Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses), Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) and others. “The Lexicon Native Reverb Plug-In Bundle and PCM 96 have been indispensible for both of those projects,” Sorum noted.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,900 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for year ended June 30, 2012.

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Matt Sorum’s Sonic Secret: HARMAN’s dbx Compressors For Drums That Punch Through Any Mix

by Definition Branding & Marketing Posted: Thursday, 8/2/2012

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Matt Sorum needs little introduction as one of rock’s greatest drummers. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 with Guns N’ Roses, Sorum provided the percussive firepower for many of G N’ R’s most potent tracks. Sorum is also an accomplished producer and owner of Drac Studios in Los Angeles, which is equipped with an impressive array of recording gear, including Sorum’s favorite dynamic duo, the dbx 160A Compressor/Limiter and 162SL Compressor/Limiter with AutoVelocity™.

“I’ve used the dbx 160A since I can remember,” said Sorum. “It’s the workhorse compressor for me – it sounds great on kick, snare, electric bass and vocals. Its sound quality – that classic, even, musical compression we know and love and the fact that it can easily be adjusted from barely-there to a hard ‘squash’ make it perfect for the studio. Also, it’s a really tough piece of gear, specifically built to be roadworthy so I know I can depend on it when I go on tour.”

Sorum has also begun using the dbx 162SL. “I’m finding it to be an amazing stereo compressor,” Sorum continued. “I use it on individual tracks, on a stereo drum bus mix or on an overall mix. It sounds fantastic in all of those applications and its simple control layout makes it easy to dial in a great sound no matter what I’m using it for. Simple, but effective.”

On the road Sorum also likes using his dbx 1074 QuadGate™ Noise Gate with a 162SL to get his distinctively punchy and powerful sound wherever he plays. “Its four channels of noise gating have threshold, depth and release controls on each channel, along with a frequency-selectable filter, which makes the 1074 extremely versatile for getting my tom toms to sound just the way I like them. It’s great for getting my tom toms to cut through a mix, and the sound engineers like the way it keeps the mic feeds clear and clean.”

“There’s nothing else like dbx,” Sorum concluded. “The sound and presence of a dbx compressor is a mainstay in music, just like a Les Paul or Stratocaster. A lot of gear has come and gone but I still swear by my dbx processors.”

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

 

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HARMAN’s AKG Microphones Surround Guns N’ Roses’ Matt Sorum’s Legendary Drum Set, Leading The Rock N Roll Allstars’ Global Tour

by Definition Branding & Marketing Posted: Wednesday, 5/30/2012

VIENNA, Austria – Eleven of the most famed rock and roll musicians of recent history have teamed up for a world tour of epic proportions in 2012.  Led by former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum, The Rock N Roll Allstars recently concluded a successful run in South America.  Behind his massive drum set, mic’d with a strategic array of HARMAN’s AKG technology, Sorum conducts the Allstars through a 2.5-hour show, performing a collection of hits from each member’s respective band.

The Rock N Roll Allstars include Gene Simmons of Kiss, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, Gilby Clarke of Guns-N-Roses, Billy Duffy of The Cult, Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, Ed Roland of Collective Soul, Steve Stevens of the Billy Idol band and Mike Inez of Alice in Chains, in addition to Sorum.

Sorum’s drum kit boasts double kick drums, five toms and a very large collection of cymbals.  With such an elaborate drum set, Sorum wanted to ensure it was enjoyed visually as much as it would be for its sound.  The pure epicness of the tour itself, combined with the enthusiasm of the fans, made sound a number-one factor for Sorum and the Allstars.  When looking for a set of mics to capture the drums, Sorum required three factors: ease of use, durability and visual appeal for the perfect set up.  AKG’s collection of microphones proved to be the perfect match.

AKG’s C518 M micro mics were Sorum’s first choice on his toms – the instrument for which he is widely known.  The C518′s easily clipped on to his toms and held tight during his passionate beats.  AKG D12 capsules were placed in the kickdrums, suspended in the drums themselves for a rich sound with no adverse noise.  C414XLS mics were mounted for overhead cymbal pickup, while one C214 was mounted in the front of the kit for the splash cymbals and ride.  Two sets of C451 stereo condensers were clipped on the set to mic the main hats as well as an x-hat set up.  Sorum utilized one additional AKG P4 for backup vocals during the shows.

“I’ve had real issues with tom mics in the past, falling off or needing adjustments, but the 518′s give me a great sound and are reliable during the shows,” stated Sorum.  “AKG gives my drum set a huge sound and a clean look, without the worry of fixing an ill-fitting clip.  Once the D12′s are in place and the 414′s are set, we get this amazing, thick, warm, fat resonance and it couldn’t sound more natural.”

The Rock N Roll Allstars will continue their world tour in Australia and Japan in fall, 2012. The South American shows were host to more than 20,000 fans each night in the outdoor venues.

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics. For more information about the tour, please visit http://www.rnrallstars.com.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG(r), Harman Kardon(r), Infinity(r), JBL(r), Lexicon(r) and Mark Levinson(r). The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

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