Welcome to Muscle Shoals, Alabama and FAME Studios.
Some studios are famous not only because of their body of work, but because they helped change the course of music history. Because their heritage seeps through to culture and myth. Because they play an integral part in how we define a sound or an era. Because there truly can be magic inside four studio walls. Ask Aretha Franklin, Etta James or Otis Redding and they’ll probably tell you that, yes, there is something that special about a place in the small rural community of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. A place that has soul – true Southern soul: FAME Studios.
With the guidance of original Swampers guitarist Jimmy Johnson, period correct gear and mic placement, the Southern Soul EZX sets out to recreate the unmistakable sound of soul. Crisp, dense and saturated drums – all encapsulated in the hallmark ambience of the FAME room. It comes with five complete kits and two setups – one using all-mono miking techniques and one full stereo setup. On top of that, it features leakage mics for vocals, guitar, piano and upright bass set up in their original spots in the room, a signature FAME trait and key to adding that special band presence to the sound.
From the smallest town with the biggest impact on music culture comes a touchstone collection of drums. Drums that have soul. True Southern soul.
Some of the most classic and genre-defining songs ever have been recorded within the four walls of the FAME Studios.
Get the ins and outs of how this recording went down – directly from the team on site.
A detailed walkthrough of all the facts, features and kits of the Southern Soul EZX.
Gear is essential to any recording. For this this one, our team went above and beyond to stay true to the era.
What is it about the small town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama? How and why did this become the focal point of the music industry in the early days of soul? Watch the movie!
A thorough piece on the history and impact of Muscle Shoals.
READ IT HEREKICK
14×22” Ludwig* 1959 Transition Badge
SNARE
5.5×14” Ludwig* Supraphonic 400 1959 Transition Badge
RACK TOM
9×13” Ludwig* 1959 Transition Badge
FLOOR TOM
16×16” Ludwig* 1959 Transition Badge
HATS
14” Zildjian* Prototype
CYMBAL 1
18” Zildjian* K Custom Dark
CYMBAL 2
19” Zildjian* K Custom Dark
RIDE
24” Zildjian* K Light
COWBELL
Cowbell 1
TAMBOURINE
Tambourine
KICK
14×22” Ludwig* 1959 Transition Badge – Felt Beater
SNARE
5.5×14” Ludwig* 1920s Standard Nickel over Brass
RACK TOM
9×13” Ludwig* 1959 Transition Badge
FLOOR TOM
16×16” Ludwig* 1959 Transition Badge
HATS
14” Zildjian* Prototype
CYMBAL 1
18” Zildjian* K Custom Dark
CYMBAL 2
19” Zildjian* K Custom Dark
RIDE
24” Zildjian* K Light
COWBELL
Cowbell 1
TAMBOURINE
Tambourine
KICK
16×22” Gretsch* 1980s Square Badge
SNARE
4×14” Ludwig* Downbeat Blue Oyster Finish
RACK TOM
12×12” Gretsch* 1980s Square Badge
FLOOR TOM
15×15” Gretsch* 1980s Square Badge
HATS
13” Zildjian* Vintage
CYMBAL 1
18” Zildjian* Vintage China
CYMBAL 2
19” Zildjian* K Custom Dark – Kit 2 Signal Chain
RIDE
24” Zildjian* K Light – Kit 2 Signal Chain
COWBELL
Cowbell 1
TAMBOURINE
Tambourine
KICK
16×22” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass
SNARE
6.5×14” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass
RACK TOM 1
9×10” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass
RACK TOM 2
10×12” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass
FLOOR TOM 1
12×13” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass
FLOOR TOM 2
16×16” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass
HATS
15” Zildjian* A New Beat
CYMBAL 1
19” Zildjian* A Thin Crash
CYMBAL 2
20” Zildjian* A Thin Crash
RIDE
23” Zildjian* A Sweet Ride
KICK
16×24” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass
SNARE
6.5×14” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass
RACK TOM 1
9×10” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass Dampened
RACK TOM 2
10×12” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass Dampened
FLOOR TOM 1
12×13” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass Dampened
FLOOR TOM 2
16×16” Pearl* Hybrid Exotic Fiberglass Dampened
HATS
15” Zildjian* A New Beat
CYMBAL 1
19” Zildjian* A Thin Crash
CYMBAL 2
20” Zildjian* A Thin Crash
RIDE
23” Zildjian* A Sweet Ride
KICK
16×20” Pearl* Crystal Beat Acrylic
SNARE
6.5×14” Pearl* Maple
RACK TOM 1
9×12” Pearl* Crystal Beat Acrylic
FLOOR TOM 1
14×14” Pearl* Crystal Beat Acrylic
HATS
15” Zildjian* A Vintage 1950’s
CYMBAL 1
18” Zildjian* A Vintage 1950’s Crash
CYMBAL 2
18” Zildjian* A Thin Crash
RIDE
22” Zildjian* K Custom Dry Complex Ride
KICK
14×22” Sakae Celestial Maple Bubinga
SNARE
6.5×14” Sakae Mahogany
RACK TOM 1
8×12” Sakae Celestial Maple Bubinga
FLOOR TOM 1
15×16” Sakae Celestial Maple Bubinga
HATS
15” Zildjian* A Vintage 1950’s
CYMBAL 1
18” Zildjian* A Vintage 1950’s Crash
CYMBAL 2
18” Zildjian* A Thin Crash
RIDE
22” Zildjian* K Custom Dry Complex Ride
SNARE DRUMS
6,5×14″ Sakae Bubinga
5,5×14″ Craviotto Maple, Abalone finish
RIDES
22″ Zildjian* A Vintage 1950s
4 GB of free hard disk space, 2 GB RAM.
A working EZdrummer 2.1 (or above) or a Superior Drummer 2.4.2 (or above) installation.
