The Fray "How to Save a Life" In Depth Drum Recording Breakdown
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2024
- ➡️➡️Click here to learn more about the drum recording on The Fray's "How to Save a Life": producelikeapr...
In today’s video we will be going through a breakdown of the drum recording for The Fray’s “How to Save a Life”!
This is a very exciting song for me. When I worked on this song many years ago now, I had no idea how big of a hit it would become. At one point it was the most downloaded song of all time and it has been used in more teen dramas and TV shows than you could ever imagine.
One of the things I love most about this song is how simple it is. When you take away the drums, it is only 24 tracks, and even when you add in the drums, you are up to maybe the mid-30s, depending on how you recorded the drums.
Something else you will notice as you listen to the session I use in the video, is that the piano is different than the one on the final track. This is the session that I tracked the drums to, and at the same time that I was tracking the drums, Aaron Johnson was at Sony Studios in New York tracking a new piano part on a Yamaha C7. So, if you were among the first 70,000 people to buy this album, you actually have a different piano part than anyone who bought it after that!
For the drums on this track, I used a 24-inch Rogers kick drum, and the snare I used was my 1973 Ludwig Supraphonic. This snare is the most versatile snare I have ever used, and I have used it on Aerosmith albums, both Fray albums, for Augstana, James Blunt, and for nearly every single album I have recorded since I did this one! What I love about this snare is that it can be tuned higher or lower depending on what you want for the song, meaning you can use it for almost anything. The cymbals on this track were overdubbed, and there are actually no toms.
I absolutely loved working on this album, and the one that followed! When we were recording the song, none of us had any idea of the massive hit it would become!
Watch the video below to see a full breakdown of the drum recording, including which drums, mics, and pres we used! I hope you enjoy!
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Which other songs would you like to see breakdowns for?
I'd love to see John Squire talking through the making of second coming (recorded at Rockfield i believe)
Wonderful song, simple and beautifully recorded, particularly the drums!
Anything you've done we would love to hear!
Hi@@thecapsicumkid4740 that would be amazing!!
@@timbrown7652 thanks ever so much!!
You DID! You DID use those backgrounds and I LOVE them with my WHOLE HEART!
Wonderful! Haha Thanks Carlos!
These informative breakdowns are what get people motivated to engage more in what to decipher and analyze! Well done here my man
Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it!! I'm so glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
@@Producelikeapro I am very grateful for how well and articulate you show the information! Cheers!
@@RC32Smiths01 You're very kind!!
@@Producelikeapro Likewise to ye!
You are an absolute legend, Warren. The drums and all the little tricks you’ve done on this record are phenomenal.
Thanks ever so much! I appreciate it
I love this song Warren. Kudos the band and yourself for capturing this gem and making it available to the world! Its inspirational
Thanks ever so much! Truly amazing to be involved with such an amazing song!
One of the best sounding songs of the 21st century!
Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much!!
i am amazed, didnt know you actually worked on massive projects, its one of my favourite songs of that decade
It took me 60 mins to watch this superb 32 minute video to stop and take notes. Thanks Warren!
Thanks ever so much Bob!!
20:52 Same! My girlfriend and I love the drums in the outro, pa-da, tuh tss, tah-dah 🥁 An awesome performance, captured excellently Warren 👌
Thanks ever so much Eddy!! You Rock!
I'd hear this song about 100,000 times a day when I was a cashier at the grocery store. Not exactly my dream job, so I wasn't exactly fond of the song. Now I've got a lovely perspective. Thanks for the video.
Haha I hear you Hugo!
Wow!!! Made me realize how awesome a couple of 57s, a room and creativity are! Inspiring as always!
Love how in depth this was! kind of surprised that such a huge record didn't use any super expensive mics in it's creation of the drum sound. Shows the power of a good room! well done Warren!
Absolutely! Great room with a great player = great drum sound!
Hahah I listened to this last night after I watched you last video since I knew you produced it. It's a really nice piece of art and I'm glad you got to have a hand in it!
Haha wonderful! It was incredible to be able to work on this song!
@@Producelikeapro I liked the old piano way better, by the way. Is there any way we could play with these trackouts?
Hi@@dancegod1691 then old piano was inaudible once the band came in as it was recorded with the damper pedal on and was so soft that none of the articulation could be heard. It could work fine with a vocal only though!
@@Producelikeapro Yeah exactly what I was thinking. If you got permission to release a version with just the vocals and piano, that would be cool.
@@dancegod1691 yes, indeed!!
Hey Warren, such a marvelous sounding drum kit! It's funny: since I've started watching your videos (wow, that's been a few years already) I can actually notice YOUR drum sound in that song. Truly original and so well done!
Thanks ever so much! That's very kind of you to say!
seriously, this songs just keeps giving… thanks for this
As someone who mainly produced electronic music and is now looking into "acoustic" music this is a HUGE help.
Thanks, Warren!
Big fan of the song ever since I first heard it on the radio/mtv.
To think that I can now watch how-to's from (one of the) producer(s) behind the track is AWESOME.
And somehow I discovered this band (along with the song) just recently. Beautiful production!
Wow I love this song, had no idea the piano was re-recorded. Watching breakdowns are always great as it allows to get an idea of how others might react and work in a certain way. Warren’s breakdowns are awaits great. Love the video
Hi AJ, yes the Piano and the Drums were both re-recorded to take the song from an Album track and make it be the single it was!
Very cool details. Great to hear it naked and the mastered. Simplicity is always a great idea. Thanks a ton for sharing this with the world.
Hey Warren, I came across your channel a few weeks ago when I was following CLA's advice and looking up content from guys that worked on the albums I love, and naturally your channel came up a lot thanks to your content with JJP, Dave Jerden, etc, but I didn't realize you were one of the people I was looking for until just now! I grew up with this album!
Supraphonic for all Life! Amazing sound !
Absolutely love these breakdown videos, thank you so much for sharing ❤
Such room sound is the dream of any mixer... absolutely marvelous!
Thanks ever so much!!
Truly remarkable Warren. For you, not knowing how big the track would be in the end, must be so so surreal. Perhaps had you known how successful song/band would be the making of this track would have been more stressful and less simple. I love this record. It sounds new everytime I listen to it. Many thanks for your amazing insight and time sharing your story. Marty
Hi Marty, yes, indeed! No one knew how big it would become! Great band, Isaac's lyrics were so honest, people connected to them so well!
@@Producelikeapro Absolutely, Isaac told a story many could recognise that's for sure. The space, yet tightness/closeness the drums have in the final mix truly are remarkable. Its a record that I think just worked with the instruments/tones fitting like it was meant to just be. I bet the mix engineer must have realised that too. The zero autotune was the best choice on the lead vocals too. The character would have been lost forever had it of been a 'these days edit' I'm sure. Just fantastic and again appreciate hearing your video this evening, thank you again, Marty
@@MartinVanDerSande yes, agreed, Isaac has a truly remarkable voice and an amazing ability to tell her story, wonderful lyrics and a voice that exudes honesty!
@@Producelikeapro Yes, I've realised more and more since producing music that the singers voice needs to be an instrument in its own right for the track to stand out. It's not always the perfection, but yes in Isaac's case, the tone and honesty as you mention. It's what makes The Fray so timeless and distinctive. I can only imagine how proud and honoured you are to have been a big part of making this record for them. Cheers, Marty
Always loved this song!
Thank you. Simple is great!
Thanks ever so much!!
Always lovely to have some E-Bow guitar snuck into things!
Love this song.. some amazing work. Very impressed with your discography.
Always loved this song and album. It's so great to see this breakdown.
I have ALWAYS loved how the drums sounded on this song. There was always something so full and punchy about it that stood out to me. Not gonna lie, I was always kinda lukewarm to the song (not that it's bad, just not my usual thing) but those drums have always hooked me.
Youre so good Warren. Congrats on this one and the future ones. Thanks for helping us.
Great video! I know you must be proud for helping bring this song to the world and we are all happy for you! Thanks again for all you do!
I can work with steven slate drums for weeks and never get drums that sound that amazing! Man i wish i had the means to record REAL drums. Love your work man!
Thanks ever so much! Yes, I loved recording drums there!
Incredible. I was just thinking about this song this morning. I had no idea you worked on it! CHEERS!
Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much Jon!!
So cool of you to share with such detail
Thank You again Warren!!!! Super consistent drumming. Must have been a joy to track these drums.
Thanks ever so much Rick! Yes, it was a huge amount of fun!
Great lyrics-far above average. As one of your guests said, "they listen for the music, but they buy for the lyrics".
didnt knew you worked on this song, reminds of my teenage years haha, it's a honor to watch someone like you on youtube everyday, thank youuu Warren
Thanks @producelikeapro for sharing your workflow from drum kit through mic's and gear 'on tape'. Keep sharing the good stuff!
Good one Warren!
Love this PLAP-TV of yours...
Thanks ever so much Brian!!
Hi warren
The timing of this video is just incredible for me!
I'm in quarantine because of the famous virus and I got kicked out of my job (in a hotel) so I'm going to work on a new album.
I've been working on a song I wanted to mix using "how to save a life" and also "second chance" from shinedown as references, so this video really helps me a lot.
Thank you very much for all theese videos, I hope you and all yours stay healthy,
Regards from Spain
This is inspiring! Thank you for sharing, Warren
It makes me want to record
Man I remember when I first heard this song and it sent chills down my spine and up until I actually started watching your channel, I wondered what all went into recording such a wonderful piece of music. You're an inspiration Warren, cant wait to see more :)
Thanks ever so. much Aleksander! Yes, Isaac has such an incredible voice and the band were amazing!
that guitar feedback is the best kind of riser for any kind of rock song in my oppinion
Fantastic!!
Such an awesome video!! Hope to see more of them! ;-)
Thanks ever so much! Yes, more to come!
Very cool thanks for sharing I love the idea of dubbing the crashes
You're very welcome Kyle! Thanks for your great comment
It's always great to see behind the scenes. It gives reassurance that I'm using the same methods and in the same zone. Cheers
That whole record sounds amazing! There is this sense of elegant-polished-simple goodness to it that just works for me :D It's actually one of the few I keep on my phone at all times for those moments when myself or the people I work with need to be reminded what a makes a great sounding record.
Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much! The band are truly phenomenal!!
Great episode Warren, thank you!
Thanks ever so much Craig!
That was awesome. Thank you Warren!
Warren, Warren, marvellous Warren... thank you so much for sharing this with us. It's obvious from the start just how important this session and song was to you and the band. I'm almost tearing up at you tearing up... how metrosexual are we? Anyway, this just goes to show that you don't need a huge number of tracks in a multi-million pound studio to capture the very essence of a song. Nothing here is over-polished - or even polished at all. Just recorded well and played with soul, heart and passion. I feel very, very lucky to have grown up through the early days of eight-track recording on to tape. I can remember visiting Don Larking in round about 1978 at his Maris Piper Studio in Luton, Bedfordshire - Don's 'other job' was importing potatoes, hence the name - and he was unboxing a brand new Fostex A8 tape recorded. Eight tracks on quarter inch tape. He couldn't believe his eyes and I couldn't believe my ears. At around £1,500 there was no way I was going to be able to afford to buy it on my trainee journalist's meagre wages. Besides, I was already committed to buying a Les Paul Custom on Hire Purchase (exactly what it sounds like - the hire it until you pay for it then you own it) so had no spare cash. The point I'm struggling to make succinctly is that we learned how to record everything properly. Drums were the biggest problem as it would take the first couple of hours to get a good drum sound before adding the rest and then rushing the vocal into the last paid-for hour. Fast Forward (FF - if you will) to 2020 and look what we've got. Home studios entirely based in 'the box', fabulous plug-ins, EZ Drummer - which has probably had the biggest effect on my songwriting and production out of all the amazing gear we can now buy for a pittance - and tons of other great stuff. If you learn to capture the essence of the performance, perfection is not really all that important. Fix in the mix isn't really necessary. Here, Warren isn't too bothered about spill, or a ringing overtone or a slightly creaky guitar. Put it all together and you get a huge worldwide hit. Because it captures the song, not the equipment. Have fun, folks, and thanks again Warren for this inspiring video. Long may your wow flutter, mate.
Tremendous creativity and expertise! wonderful video as always!
Thanks ever so much Joe! You Rock!
@@Producelikeapro Thanks Warren!
Thank you ever so much for this breakdown, Warren. I enjoyed watching it so much. I am so impressed by the drums. To me it's a perfect example for the "record it as you like to hear it" approach. If I was given the song to mix I guess I'd pulled up the faders on the drum tracks and were like "Well that's it, there's not much to do on it, if at all". The tuning is great, sounds are awesome. Especially the sound of the room in your old studio is amazing. The whole production sounds so great. Such an amazing song, outstanding performance and production. So awesome. And thank you for all the insights on drum recording. It always was and is still a challenge for me.
I mixed on a TAC scorpion II for our live rig in 96-98' loved that mixer.
Had no idea you worked on this! Listened to this for years ahaha
Thanks ever so much! Yes, such a wonderful song to have been involved in!
Hi Warren,I have just ventured into home recording and enjoying it very much using reaper.really enjoy the in depth reviews you do listening to all the individual tracks it's a true art..thanks
Thanks ever so much Adam! That's very kind of you!!
This is kind of insane. I was just posting on gearslutz that i love the drum sound on the fray's how to save a life and wanted to know how it was done. This is crazy how well this is timed, thank you warren
Wow! That's amazing! Thanks for sharing that!
Great video, it definitely gives new life to the song and the simplicity definitely makes the song that much greater. I’ve been watching your videos and listening to your podcast daily. As a professor of audio production your work has really changed the way that I not only produce, but how I teach production.
One thing I have noticed is a constant theme with you and many of the other producers you talk with is capturing the performance. I was just curious if you have ever had a time when a performer, more specifically a vocalist has been so caught up in the performance, or emotion that they started to break down in the recording, and that take ended up on the final recording?
Awesome video Warren! I really like these type of videos because ya always learn something new. 😄
Thanks ever so much Joseph!
Fantastic Song
Thank you so much doing all that Warren. Amazing and sentimental to see your look back on your fantastic work.
Love it! I've got a '71 Supraphonic snare that's super killer as well. Big fan of the simplistic approach taken on this track 🤘🏼
Thanks ever so much Dustin!!
Really enjoyed this breakdown. It's a stunning song.
Thanks ever so much Mark!!
I love how this shows that you just don’t need 124 tracks for a good song. Even 48 track with 2 slaved 24 track machines used to be a big selling point for studios as recently as the mid 90’s. Great drum sounds!
Thanks ever so much Paul!!
Thanks Warren Wonderful song, simple and beautifully recorded, particularly the drums!
Thanks ever so much Tim!!
Listening to he final mix of this song and it's so moving brings tears to my eyes it such and emotional song . I am going to learn this production and introduce to my band . Thank you Warren and Eric and everyone else for your awesome production and work creating this song .
Thanks ever so much Clint! You are very kind my friend! Yes, getting to work on such an amazing song was a true blessing!
lovely song and sound....hi hat sounds amazing!!!!
Hi 4Low thanks ever so much!!
Hey Warren, do you think you could do a video covering the differences in your approach for mixing live instruments, vs pop/electronic synthesized elements? In a previous video you mentioned difference in how you process live vs synth kicks, but didn't go into much more detail.
That is a marvellous idea!!
I could tell you love that sound, since the song literally ends with drums.
Always enjoyed it.
Thanks ever so much Jeff!
I love this song! Thanks Warren!
Thanks ever so much my friend!!
🤩 no words....... awesome 😎
Thanks ever so much!!
One of my favorite and darkest pop songs.
When I play it I think of my killer guitarist buddy Julio, who took his own live way too young.
It also helps me preventing to follow the same dark path.
I'm curious to dig deeper into the wall-facing, behind the drummer room mics. About how wide did you space the two wall mics from each other, and also how far they were from the snare? Also, would love more detail of your cymbal mic positions, distances between mic and source, angles, philosophies, etc. Thanks for all that you do!
oh this is going to be an AMAZING video ❤🤘🏼
Hey Warren! Have you ever though about doing an episode about Swing House and your time there? Thanks for all the knowledge you share!
Hi swampy would love to! However, the studio has gone! I left a few years ago, 5 I believe, then unfortunately they took it into bankruptcy a few years after l left.
Great job Warren!
Great Breakdown!!
This was huge!
Amazing how far you can take a sound with some ingenuity.
Yes, indeed! Less is definitely more!!
Thank you Warren!
I use a tac scorpion daily! thats awesome it was used on my favorite childhood record !
Fantastic! It's a pretty darn good console to say the least!!
This is proof magic is real. Sent from an immortal substance captured by mortal men through hard work, passion and love.
That's a wonderful comment my friend!!
Wow, really love this video. These drums sound phenomenal, great job Warren! Thanks for sharing all that inspiring information once again!
Warren, what would have been your approach if you'de be forced to emulate the room afterwards (e.g. if the tracking room didn't sound that good) - only if you had time, of course? Would you have used a reverb plugin or played the drum recording in another room via PA and recorded it through real mics?
Holy crap. . .we do the exact same thing with the exact same mic (TLM 103) for our “big room” drum sound! It’s in a storage closet/hallway with the door shut! Sounds huge and filters out all the high end and cymbals.
Great vid! I only mix in-the-box sampled drums, but I learned a lot here. Just a thought on another "most-used song" would be Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
My fav
song
Thanks ever so much! It was an amazing song to work on
Sir. can you please tell about the amp of the lead guitarist amp or the clean tone.. my question is how that clean guitar sound is larger than life just like ist attaching a drop of pure sunshine.. how?
i mean that chorus exquisite voicing chords ...
Great Video Warren
And here I thought I was the only one "cheating" with overdubbing cymbals... Really though. I love your videos and I have learned a lot over the past year or so following along. Thank you, Warren!
Haha everyone does it!! From the Beatles to Queen to everyone else! Whatever works my friend!
Hi Warren, thanx a lot for doing this! Another great insight in your marvellous work! One thing: You used a TAC Scorpion. Was it yours or did it belong to the band? If, do you still have it? I recently bought two TAC Scorpion channels and want to rack em. I love that EQ. Could it be that teh EQ is quite close to Trident series 80B? Still have to check the schematics on that topic... There were some great albums mixed or tracked on a TAC desk. Two of my all time fav reference album for electronica were mixed on TAC Magnum consoles, which are quite similar in design (just bigger): B-Zet „When I See“ and Sven Väth „The Harlequin...“
B-Zet was known for using parallel (!) EQ on multed synth pads on the TAC consoles a lot. And this was back in 1995 (knowing that at Motown they used similar principles decades before, but youngsters often think parallel processing would be something newish)...
This is a fantastic share, brilliant.
Do you also use room mics for vox and live guitar amps?😎🎤✅
Hi Julian, yes, occasionally I will do that as well!
Must feel amazing to have a piece of art like this under your belt.
Thanks for doing this, Warren!
Yes, I was very blessed to be able to work on this song!
so cool. thanks!
Cheers from Regina cana!
Great stuff. You managed to pull me out of retirement
Wonderful! I hope? Haha Thanks for the great comment!
As always a nice video :-) Just one question: is it your decision or that of your customers whether you mix the drums from the perspective of the drummer or the listener?
Marvellous question! I always mix audience perspective! However, if they want to mix it from the drummers perspective that's fine of course!
@@Producelikeapro
Many thanks for your reply :-)
Fraytabulous!
Claytabulous!!
@@Producelikeapro Oh, that's good... touche.
@@lahattec haha thanks ever so much!!
hey Warren, nice breakdown, do you use some specific distances for the room mics or you go by ear? (taking granted that stereo pairs are equally distant from the snare) is there a rule of thump about this?
I love it. ❤️
Hi Audrey Sims thanks ever so much!!
Another 'out of the ballpark' video, Warren! I loved hearing and seeing how all the pieces came together for this iconic tune, especially how you captured the drums; well done!! That C7 sounds absolutely wonderful in the final release -- does anyone know what happened to that piano?
Dave Merkel hey Dave, 👋 according to a comment from @Joel Woodcock earlier it’s at somewhere called Melody Music in Bloomington IN
@@paulEmotionalaudio Awesome. Thanks, Paul!
Can you explain further the setup you had with the mic reflected off of the cymbal?