Anyone ever heard of this recording technique?

[Josiah]

From DiscMakers "Guide to Recording"

"SEPARATE BUT EQUAL
Now, let’s break all the rules, and try recording
one section of the drum kit at a time. Pick
the mics of your choice and go nuts with the
mic positions. Yes, you are going to individually
record the kick, snare, toms, and cymbals.
Yes, your drummer may freak out at being
asked to play his or her snare part independently,
then the kick part independently, then
add the tom figures independently, and finally
track the cymbal and hi-hat parts. And, yes,
this is a wild way to go, but it has worked for
many producers and engineers—just check
out most of Jeff Lynne’s productions. Obviously,
this approach will take longer to record,
but the mixing possibilities are endless. —Scott
Mathews ●"

IMO that's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard of.... but I'm wrong often enough, thoughts?

[Jim Richman]

From DiscMakers "Guide to Recording"

"SEPARATE BUT EQUAL
Now, let’s break all the rules, and try recording
one section of the drum kit at a time. Pick
the mics of your choice and go nuts with the
mic positions. Yes, you are going to individually
record the kick, snare, toms, and cymbals.
Yes, your drummer may freak out at being
asked to play his or her snare part independently,
then the kick part independently, then
add the tom figures independently, and finally
track the cymbal and hi-hat parts. And, yes,
this is a wild way to go, but it has worked for
many producers and engineers—just check
out most of Jeff Lynne’s productions. Obviously,
this approach will take longer to record,
but the mixing possibilities are endless. —Scott
Mathews ●"

IMO that's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard of.... but I'm wrong often enough, thoughts?

Not dumb at all. J.R. has done this for some big hits. You have to be a great drummer to pull it off.

[Julián Fernández]

Matt Chamberlain too...

The QOSA album featuring Ghrol (there´s only one?) used a similar approach: drums recorded first, cymbals later...

[DeeP_FRieD]

If I'm not mistaken, It's Probably Me from Ten Summoner's Tales was done similar to this.

[JayD]

I believe this recording technique could also be known as "engineers figuring out new ways of sucking the groove out of tracks"

[Josiah]

Matt Chamberlain too...

The QOSA album featuring Ghrol (there´s only one?) used a similar approach: drums recorded first, cymbals later...

But each drum separately?

[circh bustom]

Sure some of the titans of the kit may have done it, I imagine you have to be of that ilk to pull it off. That being said, the big guys used to put tea towels between the head and the rim at one time too. I do know the guy from the Alkaline Trio recorded one of their records with the Grohl drum/cymbal recording thing he did in QOSA. The record has no life to it. I dont understand why someone would do this with an acoustic instrument made of wood and metal. Would you record each string individually on an acoustic guitar? The beauty of a well made acoustic guitar is the resonance created from the whole instrument. It becomes something greater than it's parts, as does most grooves. Drums and drummers have come a long way in validating the fact that the kit as a whole is an important instrument.

[bigbone]

From DiscMakers "Guide to Recording"

"SEPARATE BUT EQUAL
Now, let’s break all the rules, and try recording
one section of the drum kit at a time. Pick
the mics of your choice and go nuts with the
mic positions. Yes, you are going to individually
record the kick, snare, toms, and cymbals.
Yes, your drummer may freak out at being
asked to play his or her snare part independently,
then the kick part independently, then
add the tom figures independently, and finally
track the cymbal and hi-hat parts. And, yes,
this is a wild way to go, but it has worked for
many producers and engineers—just check
out most of Jeff Lynne’s productions. Obviously,
this approach will take longer to record,
but the mixing possibilities are endless. —Scott
Mathews ●"

IMO that's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard of.... but I'm wrong often enough, thoughts?

Not dumb at all. J.R. has done this for some big hits. You have to be a great drummer to pull it off.

JR overdub some part..... Not the same.

[Julián Fernández]

Matt Chamberlain too...

The QOSA album featuring Ghrol (there´s only one?) used a similar approach: drums recorded first, cymbals later...

But each drum separately?

Yes... It´s in an old MD interview. Can´t remember if it was the New Bohemians sessions.

[Josiah]

Well for instance Stings "It's probably me" it's mostly a half note cross stick...

But otherwise, wouldn't this destroy any feel or groove? it would just be totally sterile. Might as well just program the drums.