Devour Music

**You may have seen the recent video I shared with the Sonor AQX, also in Midnight Sparkle, but the 'Jungle' configuration 10 13 16K.**

I am a fan of the AQX Series, more so, I am a fan of getting as much value (and sound) out of drums that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

My love for Sonor drums does not stop at the German made drums, I own multiple, and use the more affordable Made in China 'AQ' lines. And what better way but to record the drums as they come delivered; factory heads and all.

**DISCLOSURE: I did replace the front bass drum head since I wanted to maintain the black factory logo head which doesn't have a porthole. I employed a little bit of dampening with a towel in the kick drum.**

I found that this AQX kit took a little bit more effort dialling in the tuning of the toms. At least to suit the 'tone' my ears are accustomed to.

**I was going for maximum boom (specially with the 16" floor tom). The shells definitely has less attack than what I'm used to, but there is no shortage of warmth, and lots of LOWS. Resonance on all toms is so controlled I didn't have to use and dampening. Same with the snare drum - speaking of which, I would not hesitate gigging with this in so many settings. Impressive snare drum.**

**Who knows what this kit will sound like, and how much it will improve with an upgrade of heads to USA made EVANS G2 Clear or EC2s and EMAD on the kick. We'll just have to wait and see....**

Recorded at Dirty Laundry Studios Brisbane QLD, Australia JULY 2024

• SONOR AQX 'Stage' all in Midnight Sparkle
• 10x7" Rack Tom
• 12x8" Rack Tom
• 16x15" Floor Tom
• 22x16" Bass Drum
• 14x5.5 Snare Drum

• UFiP Cymbals (L-R)
• 14" Blast Extra Dry Hi-Hats
• 7" Class Splash
• 8" FX Collection Natural Splash
• 20" Blast Crash w/ 6" Class Splash inverted
• 10" Class Splash
• 21" Blast Extra Dry Ride
• 18" Tiger China (modded)
• 20" Vibra Crash

**RECORDING & MONITOR GEAR**

• Porter & Davies 'Gigster' Drum Throne Monitor

I used a mix of brands for the mics:

1. Beyerdynamic 57/58c for rack and floor tom
2. Beyerdynamic D50d for main snare
3. Lewitt LCT240 for overheads
4. Lewitt DTP640REX w/ Dr Alien Smith Subkick 01 for kick
5. Prodipe T110 for snare bottom

I recorded in Logic Pro X using the Audient id44 + SP8 Interface.