Krautrock

We at Drumdrops HQ have been long time fans of the hypnotic groove of Krautrock. When we met with legendary drummer and producer Ben Hillier a few months back to discuss this project we were all incredibly excited about bringing grooves inspired by legends such as Jaki Liebezeit and bands such as Can, Neu, Tangerine Dream and Faust to our catalogue. Cited and adapted by artists as diverse as Bowie, ENO, Q-Tip, The Horrors and the Foals the Motorik beat of Krautrock continues to inspire many years after 70s origins.

This pack was recorded and played by the two Bens at their Agricultural Audio Studio, the drums were recorded using vintage German microphones through their vintage 60s Studer desk, they pack really gives you the true authentic Krautrock sound.

We've used a hybrid kit with lots of damping And placed screens around the kit to reduce any room sound bleeding onto the close mics to emulate the clear and bright dry sound heard on many classic Krautrock recordings. The kit was recorded mainly through 1970s Studer 089 console but with a couple of extras from Tonelux and Telefunken.

BD - Slingerland 24x14 (Niles era).

Sn- Slingerland SoundKing 14x5 chrome over brass (1960's).

Toms - Gretsch Broadcaster 13x8 and 16x15 (1950's).

HiHats - Paiste formula 602 14"

Ride - Sabian HH 20" medium ride.

Crash - Sabian HHX 16"

Mic setup:

Oheads - CMV563 w.M7 capsules, Telefunken 776 Pres.

BD - Crowley and Tripp El Diablo and AKG D25, Studer 089.

Sn - Beyerdynamic M201, Studer 089.

HiHat - AMC D44, Studer 089.

Toms - Aston Starlight, Studer 089.

Close Room - Aea R88, RPQ2 & Studer 089.

Far Room - Earthworks TC20, Tonelux MP1a.

Ben Hillier's creative and experimental approach to production has seen him turn Moroccan palaces and curtain warehouses alike into studios. His work on BLUR's incredible Think Tank lead to Ben producing brilliant albums for DOVES, CLINIC and ELBOW. Following his production of DEPECHE MODE's Sounds Of The Universe record, Ben turned his hand to mixing, working on records for EDITORS and THE MAGIC NUMBERS, as well as VILLAGERS' stunning debut, the Mercury and Q Award nominated Becoming A Jackal, and two albums for GRAHAM COXON.

Working from his studio Sussex-based Agricultural Audio, Ben co-created the highly-praised, Aim Award -winning and Mercury Prize-nominated third album ' Holiday Destination ' for NADINE SHAH which he also co-wrote and played on. In between touring with NADINE SHAH over the couple of years, he has found time to mix albums for JOSH T. PEARSON and PETER PERRETT and produce albums for SETH LAKEMAN, for TOM FLEMING and tracks for GANG OF FOUR. Currently putting the finishing touches to a 4th album for NADINE SHAH, he's also finding time to work on a new album for JUANITA STEIN.

Ben Hampson cut his professional teeth at the renowned residential studio "Jacobs," Working his way up from tea boy to engineer.

In 2006 he went freelance, working under producers such as Jack Knife Lee, Hugh Padgham, Ken Thomas and Paul Stacey, and with acts such as Noel Gallagher, Editors and Bloc Party.

In the last 5 years Ben has gone on to focus more on production, mixing, playing and composing, with an emphasis on philosophy, aesthetic and arrangement. Recent work includes Blood Red Shoes, Laura Mary-Carter, Nadine Shah and Seth Lakeman. He engineered on a 2018 Mercury prize nominated album and has had his composition and production work nominated for national tv/sync awards.

Ben also designed, built and runs his own recording studio, "Agricultural Audio," with Ben Hillier; produces the annual, collaborative, "AA Sessions" and runs the label "Tinderbox."