We also used a single bass on the right and single guitar on the left for sections where Justin and Adam played off of each other, not just stereo guitar throughout.
Where we needed less string noise, we would test out ground versus roundwound, or smoother strings versus regular texture. On both guitar and bass we experimented with different strings for sections that involved fingers, (as opposed to using a pick). We also experimented with two of his drum kits-cutting between his main Sonor kit and an original Ludwig Stainless Steel kit he had from when he was a teenager. But the songs on this album are a lot more involved and the band was more willing to experiment, so we were able to pursue many different avenues.ĭanny ’s drums were recorded this time through Neves and not APIs. There were some similarities-recording to tape, using the same guitar and bass amp setups that we fine-tuned on the previous record, etc. Joe, does Fear Inoculum pick up where 10,000 Days left off? Or was the approach totally different this time around? He got his nickname ‘Evil’ while working on a Judas Priest record, from drummer Scott Travis who called him that in reference to the Racer X song “Evil Joe.” Despite his moniker, he’s actually a super-nice guy and was cool enough to discuss with us his recording, mixing and production techniques on Fear Inoculum. Joe has worked with some of rock’s heaviest hitters such as Soundgarden, Slipknot, Chevelle and Volbeat. After a 13-year hiatus, they returned to the studio with “Evil” Joe Barresi, veteran producer and engineer of all things heavy, to record the follow-up to their previous album 10,000 Days. Tool is a band of its own genre, taking you on a hard-edged journey of meditative grooves, polyrhythmic melodies, odd time signatures and compelling vocals. Producer/engineer/mixer Joe Barresi (QOTSA, Slipknot, Bad Religion) talks returning to the studio with Tool for their long-awaited album Fear Inoculum, and shares his approach to recording, mixing and experimenting with the band.