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How To Sound EXACTLY Like AC/DC On The Drums — DeepCutsArchive
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How To Sound EXACTLY Like AC/DC On The Drums

Phil Rudd
youtube

Check out the microphones used in your favorite Drumeo videos (Earthworks x Musora) ► https://earthworksaudio.com/musora _______________ ►TRY DRUMEO FOR FREE: https://www.drumeo.com/trial-yt 0:00 - Introduction Are you playing AC/DC songs on the drums? Want to know how to sound more like Phil Rudd? Dave Atkinson plays in an AC/DC tribute band and has analyzed the drum parts to death. He's noticed a lot of mistakes drummers make when trying to play like Phil Rudd. Watch the video and learn how to do these songs the justice they deserve! 1. 0:53 - Using the wrong gear It might seem obvious, but the closer your gear is to Phil Rudd's, the more you'll sound like AC/DC. Use big drums (or the right samples on an electronic kit) to get that heavy, beefy sound. Big rock cymbals are key, with lots of sustain, and a washy ride cymbal you can really lay into. If "Thunderstruck" doesn't sound thunderous, you've got work to do! 2. 03:13 - Not playing loud or with confidence AC/DC embodies that quintessential rock sound, with drums prominent in the mix. Don't hold back - put some balls into it! This is rock and roll, so rock out, and turn up to 11. 3. 04:16 - Forgetting to master the kick and snare AC/DC beats are simple - but why do they sound so good when Phil Rudd plays them? Forget what your teacher has told you about your bass drum technique and bury that beater to get a solid punch. You'll need a loud and consistent backbeat (let someone else worry about ghost notes) and a beefy snare crack. Rimshots will help you sound epic in the chorus, so practice them at different tempos so you nail them every time. You'll also be playing lots of shots (bass, snare, crash) on both the downbeat and backbeat, as well as pushes on the and of 4, so make sure these are tight. 4. 07:38 - Ignoring hi-hat details The groove lives in the kick and snare, but it's hi-hat nuances that really differentiate one song from the next. A lot of drummers miss this. Phil isn't just playing consistent 8th notes on the hi-hat in every song. Even "Thunderstruck" has dynamics on the hats. When you're learning AC/DC songs, listen carefully to how loose or tight they are on the original recording. There are many positions between 100% open and 100% closed! Figure out exactly how much pressure your hand and foot need to apply to perfectly replicate Phil Rudd's sound. 5. 10:07 - Missing key shots and fills Because there's so much space in AC/DC songs, every shot and fill is important. For example, the intro to "Shoot To Thrill" is so iconic that if you don't play it right, the audience is going to know it. Pay careful attention to detail, just like the hi-hats. If you don't have the time or patience to map out every shot and fill, there are over 20 AC/DC song transcriptions in Drumeo Edge. 6. 11:23 - Forgetting the special effects You may not have the resources to bring a massive bell to your gigs -or permission to use an actual cannon on stage - but you need some of those key effects to give your audience the true AC/DC experience. Dave uses a compact Roland TM-2 and a rim trigger to get his sounds for "Hell's Bells" and "For Those About To Rock". Click the link below to download the sample files for your own kit! https://bit.ly/2PaOVQb Follow us: ►The Drumeo Beat: https://www.drumeo.com/beat/ ►Facebook: http://facebook.com/drumeo/ ►Instagram: http://instagram.com/drumeoofficial/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drumeoofficial #drumcover #ACDC #drumeo



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About Phil Rudd

Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd (born Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecuis, 19 May 1954) is an Australian musician, best known as the drummer of AC/DC across three stints (1975–1983, 1994–2015, 2018–present). On the 1977 departure of bass guitarist Mark Evans from AC/DC, Rudd became the only Australian-born member of the band. In 2003, he entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other members of AC/DC. In 2014, Rudd released his first solo album, Head Job. Due to ongoing legal problems...

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Added 19 Jul 2026

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