For an entire generation of musicians, the visceral sound of modern metal was forged by the relentless, piston-like precision of blast beats and the unmistakable thunder emanating from the symmetrical, fortress-like drum kit of Joey Jordison.
As the original drummer and a key songwriter for the groundbreaking band Slipknot, Nathan Jonas “Joey” Jordison was far more than just a timekeeper; he was an architect of chaos, a pint-sized powerhouse whose influence transcended the realm of percussion to redefine what it meant to be a drummer in the heavy metal genre.
His approach was a whirlwind of speed, technicality, and raw aggression, and at the heart of this storm was his drum setup—a meticulously crafted instrument that was as much a visual spectacle as it was a sonic weapon.
It was an extension of his very being, a symmetrical monster built for war that perfectly mirrored his ambidextrous and ferocious playing style.
This article will embark on a comprehensive exploration of the Joey Jordison drum setup, dissecting it piece by piece to understand its profound impact.
We will delve into the specific brands and models that constituted his core sound, from the resonant thunder of his Pearl drum shells to the sharp, cutting voice of his Paiste cymbals.
Furthermore, we will examine the engineering marvel of his legendary tilting and rotating drum riser, a piece of theatricality that cemented his status as a master showman.
By tracing the evolution of his kit from his early days to his final performances and offering practical advice for those looking to emulate his sound, we will reveal why this iconic setup was not merely a collection of gear, but a carefully engineered system that enabled one of history’s most important metal drummers to push the boundaries of music and performance.
The Core Components: A Gear Deep Dive
The heart of Joey Jordison’s monumental sound was a carefully selected arsenal of high-end equipment, chosen for its durability, sonic properties, and ability to withstand the nightly punishment of a Slipknot performance.
His setup was a testament to brand loyalty and a deep understanding of how each component contributed to the overall sonic tapestry.
Every drum, cymbal, and piece of hardware was chosen with a singular purpose: to create a sound that was as articulate as it was deafeningly powerful.
The Drums: The Might of Pearl Masters & Reference Series
Joey Jordison’s long-standing relationship with Pearl Drums formed the very foundation of his signature sound, a partnership that lasted for the vast majority of his professional career.
His loyalty to the brand was born from their instruments’ reliability, resonant tone, and the sheer road-worthiness required for relentless international touring.
His kits were primarily from Pearl’s high-end lines, starting with the esteemed Masters Series and later transitioning to the innovative Reference Series.
These shells were typically crafted from 6-ply maple (Masters MRP) or a custom blend of woods in the Reference series, providing the perfect combination of warmth, projection, and explosive attack.
Visually, they were just as iconic, often finished in a sleek Piano Black or adorned with custom graphics from Slipknot’s album cycles, making the kit an integral part of the band’s visual identity.
The configuration of his kit was famously symmetrical, a “mirrored monster” built around two powerful kick drums that served as the engine for his intricate footwork.
This layout was not just for aesthetics; it was a functional necessity that catered to his ambidextrous playing style, allowing for seamless and powerful fills across a vast array of voices.
While the exact setup evolved over the years, it consistently featured a large number of toms arranged for optimal reach and flow, creating a massive palette of percussive color.
His main snare drum, the Pearl JJ1365N Signature Snare, was a 13″x6.5″ steel-shelled beast known for its piercing crack and sensitivity, capable of cutting through the dense wall of sound produced by a nine-member band.
He often complemented this with a secondary side snare, adding another texture to his sonic arsenal.
Table 1: Typical Joey Jordison Pearl Drum Configuration (Vol. 3 / All Hope Is Gone Era)
| Component | Dimensions | Series | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kick Drums (x2) | 22″ x 18″ | Reference/Masters | Maple/Birch | The powerhouse foundation for his double-bass assault. |
| Rack Tom 1 | 7″ x 8″ | Masters (MRP) | Maple | Used for higher-pitched accents, not always present. |
| Rack Tom 2 | 10″ x 8″ | Reference/Masters | Maple | Key component for fast, articulate tom runs. |
| Rack Tom 3 | 12″ x 9″ | Reference/Masters | Maple | The central rack tom for primary fills. |
| Rack Tom 4 | 13″ x 10″ | Reference/Masters | Maple | A lower-pitched rack tom to bridge to floor toms. |
| Floor Tom 1 | 16″ x 16″ | Reference/Masters | Maple/Mahogany | Primary floor tom, delivering deep, resonant booms. |
| Floor Tom 2 | 18″ x 16″ | Reference/Masters | Maple/Mahogany | The lowest-tuned drum for thunderous, guttural fills. |
| Main Snare | 13″ x 6.5″ | Signature JJ1365N | Steel (1mm) | His signature model; a high-pitched, cutting “power piccolo.” |
| Side Snare | 10″ x 4″ | Various (e.g., Popcorn) | Maple/Brass | Used for effects and alternate snare sounds. |
The Cymbals: The Cutting Voice of Paiste
The sharp, glassy, and aggressive voice of Joey Jordison’s setup was supplied by his extensive collection of Paiste cymbals.
His partnership with the Swiss cymbal manufacturer provided the perfect high-frequency counterpoint to the deep punch of his Pearl drums.
His selections were deliberate, favoring series known for their raw power and ability to slice through a dense mix, primarily the Paiste Rude and 2002 lines.
He also incorporated his own signature models, including a Black Alpha “Hyper” series, which were visually striking and sonically tailored to his needs.
His cymbal layout was as massive and symmetrical as his drum configuration, creating a mirrored canopy of bronze that was both visually impressive and ergonomically efficient.
This arrangement ensured that no matter which side of the kit he was focused on, a crash, china, or effects cymbal was always within easy reach.
The setup was a veritable orchestra of accents, featuring a diverse range of sounds from the crisp, articulate attack of his hi-hats to the explosive roar of his large crashes and the trashy bite of his multiple china cymbals.
Strategically placed splashes and bells provided further layers for quick, sharp punctuation, allowing him to add intricate detail to his powerful grooves.
List 1: Common Cymbals in Joey Jordison’s Setup
- Hi-Hats: 14″ Paiste 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hats – Known for their wavy bottom hat, which prevents airlock and produces a crisp, clear “chick” sound.
- Ride: 20″ Paiste 2002 Power Ride – A heavy, cutting ride with a clear ping and a powerful, penetrating bell.
- Crashes: An array of 17″, 18″, and 19″ Paiste Rude Thin Crashes and 2002 Crashes, chosen for their explosive, raw, and aggressive character.
- Chinas: Multiple 18″ and 20″ Paiste Rude China cymbals, essential for the signature trashy accents in Slipknot’s music.
- Splashes: 8″ and 10″ Paiste Signature Splashes, used for quick, subtle accents.
- Bells: 6″ Paiste Accent Cymbal or a Rude “Shred Bell,” providing a sharp, piercing bell tone without the wash of a full cymbal.
The Hardware: The Unshakable Pearl Rack
The colossal skeleton that held this entire percussive beast together was the Pearl DR-501C Icon Rack.
This piece of hardware was absolutely crucial, providing the unwavering stability needed to support dozens of drums and cymbals while enduring the intense vibrations and physical force of Jordison’s playing.
The rack system was more than just practical; it was a core component of the kit’s iconic aesthetic, with its clean lines and industrial look contributing to the image of an impenetrable drum fortress.
It also allowed for unparalleled consistency in his setup, ensuring that every drum and cymbal was placed in the exact same position night after night, a critical factor for a drummer relying on muscle memory for high-speed performance.
His need for blistering speed, unwavering power, and surgical precision was directly addressed by his choice of pedals, most famously the Pearl Eliminator Redline and later the Demon Drive series.
These pedals are renowned for their smooth action, adjustability, and robust build, allowing him to execute the complex and rapid-fire double-bass patterns that became his trademark.
Every other piece of hardware, from his heavy-duty cymbal boom arms to his sturdy and comfortable throne, was also from Pearl’s top-tier offerings.
This commitment to a single hardware provider ensured seamless integration and created a unified, reliable system where every component was designed to work in concert, leaving no room for failure during a high-stakes performance.
The Finer Details: Heads, Sticks, and Electronics
The final layer of Joey Jordison’s sound was shaped by the finer details of his setup, including his choice of drumheads and sticks, which were fundamental to achieving his signature tone and power.
He almost exclusively used Remo drumheads, preferring their Clear Pinstripe series for his toms.
This choice was deliberate; the two-ply construction with an embedded dampening agent between the plies produced a focused, punchy sound with a short sustain and emphasized low-end frequencies—the quintessential “fat” rock tom sound.
For his kick drums, he relied on the Remo Powerstroke 3, which features a thin underlay at the outer edge to dampen overtones, resulting in a tight, powerful, and controlled “thump” that was perfect for his rapid-fire bass patterns.
A truly unique and critical component of his setup was his choice of sticks: the Ahead Joey Jordison Signature model.
Unlike traditional wood sticks, these are crafted from a high-precision aluminum alloy core with replaceable polyurethane covers.
This choice was pivotal for two reasons: durability and shock reduction.
The aluminum construction made them virtually indestructible, a necessity for a drummer who played with such immense force.
Furthermore, the design offered significantly more rebound and less vibration than wood, which arguably helped reduce fatigue during long, intense sets.
Finally, a crucial “secret” to his live sound was the use of electronics, specifically ddrum Pro Triggers on his kick drums.
These triggers were not used to replace the acoustic sound, but to augment it.
They sent a signal to a sound module that blended a sampled kick drum sound with the live microphone signal.
This technique ensured that every single one of his lightning-fast kick drum notes was perfectly audible, consistent, and powerful, allowing his intricate footwork to cut through the formidable wall of sound created by the eight other members of Slipknot.
The Spectacle: The Tilting, 360-Degree Rotating Drum Riser
During Slipknot’s All Hope Is Gone world tour, Joey Jordison elevated the concept of a drum solo from a mere display of technical skill into a breathtaking piece of musical theater.
This was achieved through his most famous and audacious stage setup: the tilting, 360-degree rotating drum riser.
This custom-built engineering marvel was a hydraulic platform upon which his entire, massive drum kit was mounted.
It was a spectacle that perfectly encapsulated the band’s larger-than-life ethos and Jordison’s role as the maniacal conductor at the center of the chaos.
The function of this extraordinary rig was pure showmanship, designed to be the climactic moment of his drum solo.
As the solo began, the platform would lift high into the air, separating him from the rest of the stage.
Then, in a stunning display of engineering and performance art, the entire rig would tilt forward to a full 90-degree angle, positioning him perpendicular to the stage floor.
As if that weren’t enough, while in this precarious, gravity-defying position, the riser would begin to rotate a full 360 degrees.
All the while, Jordison, strapped securely into his throne, would continue to unleash a furious torrent of beats, his performance completely unhindered by the stomach-churning motion.
The purpose of this spectacle was twofold: it was the ultimate visual statement of dominance and control, and it fundamentally blended the worlds of extreme drumming virtuosity and high-concept concert theatrics in a way that had never been seen before, cementing his legacy not just as a drummer, but as an unforgettable performer.
Evolution of the Setup: From Basement to World Stage
Joey Jordison’s drum kit was not a static entity; it was a constantly evolving machine that grew in size and complexity in lockstep with Slipknot’s meteoric rise.
Its development over the years tells a story of a drummer continuously refining his instrument to meet new musical and theatrical demands.
- The Early Days (Pre-Slipknot / Self-Titled Era):
- In the nascent stages of his career, Joey’s setup was a more modest, yet still notably large, rock configuration.
- Even in this early form, the foundational principles of his future setups were clearly visible: a double-bass pedal setup, a symmetrical arrangement of toms, and a preference for loud, cutting cymbals.
- It was the raw blueprint of the monster it would become, built for power and functionality in the clubs and basements of Iowa.
- The Iowa & Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) Era:
- As Slipknot’s fame exploded, so did the scale of Joey’s kit.
- This period saw the “classic” symmetrical Pearl Masters kit become an iconic image in the world of metal.
- The setup was significantly refined and expanded, featuring more cymbals, the addition of effect snares, and the full implementation of the Pearl rack system.
- The kit looked and sounded immense, a perfect sonic representation of the dense, claustrophobic, and brutal sound of the Iowa album.
- The All Hope Is Gone Era:
- This era marked the absolute peak of theatricality and complexity for Jordison’s setup.
- While the core drum and cymbal configuration remained largely consistent with the Vol. 3 period, the entire apparatus was integrated into the aforementioned hydraulic rotating riser.
- The focus shifted from merely expanding the number of instruments to elevating the entire setup into a central piece of the stage show, a true weapon of mass percussion and entertainment.
- Post-Slipknot (Murderdolls, Scar the Martyr, Sinsaenum):
- In his later projects, Joey’s setup saw a slight, yet noticeable, scaling back from the gargantuan Slipknot rigs.
- While he retained his core preferences—Pearl drums, Paiste cymbals, Ahead sticks, and a commitment to symmetry—the kits were often slightly more compact.
- This likely reflected the different musical contexts and logistical realities of his other bands.
- However, the DNA of his iconic setup remained, a testament to a system he had perfected over decades of performance.
How to Get the Joey Jordison Sound
Achieving the monumental sound of Joey Jordison is a goal for many aspiring metal drummers, but it’s crucial to understand that it’s about far more than simply acquiring the exact, and often expensive, gear.
His sound was the product of a specific approach to tuning, head selection, and, most importantly, playing technique.
You don’t need a multi-thousand-dollar kit to capture the essence of his powerful and articulate style.
The journey begins with embracing his core principles.
First and foremost is symmetry; arranging your toms and cymbals in a mirrored fashion can help develop the ambidextrous flow that was central to his playing.
Next is the sound itself.
To emulate his fat, punchy tom sound, use two-ply drumheads like the Remo Clear Pinstripes and tune them to a medium-low tension to emphasize their fundamental pitch.
For cymbals, choose models that are bright, cutting, and aggressive.
Finally, and most critically, is pedal technique.
His sound was built on a foundation of clean, powerful, and incredibly fast double-bass drumming.
Countless hours must be dedicated to developing the control, endurance, and precision required to execute his signature patterns.
Table 2: Budget-Friendly Alternatives for the Jordison Sound
| Component | Jordison’s Choice | Budget-Friendly Alternative | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drums | Pearl Reference/Masters | Tama Imperialstar / Pearl Export | These kits offer great value and durability, and with the right heads and tuning, can produce a powerful rock sound. |
| Snare | Pearl JJ1365N (Steel) | Ludwig Supralite / Tama Metalworks (Steel) | Steel snares in a similar 13″ or 14″ size will deliver the high-pitched, cutting “crack” needed. |
| Heads | Remo Clear Pinstripes | Evans G2 Clear / Aquarian Performance II | These are also two-ply heads designed to reduce overtones and produce a focused, punchy tom sound. |
| Cymbals | Paiste Rude / 2002 | Meinl HCS / Zildjian I Series / Sabian B8X | These entry-to-mid-level series are designed to be bright and loud, capturing the aggressive character of his sound. |
| Pedals | Pearl Demon Drive | Tama Iron Cobra 200 / Pearl 930 Series | These pedals offer excellent performance, durability, and adjustability for their price point, providing a solid platform for developing speed. |
Still not sure where to begin? Browse our updated comparison of the Best Drum Sets for every budget and skill level.
Conclusion: A Legacy Cast in Metal and Maple
Joey Jordison’s drum setup was unequivocally a perfect, thunderous reflection of his revolutionary drumming philosophy: technically immaculate, terrifyingly powerful, and visually unforgettable.
It was more than an instrument; it was a declaration of intent, a symmetrical war machine engineered to be the driving force behind one of the most intense musical acts in history.
From the resonant maple shells of his Pearl drums and the sharp, aggressive bite of his Paiste cymbals to the industrial strength of the Icon rack that held it all together, every component was chosen to contribute to a singular, awe-inspiring vision.
The kit was the conduit through which he channeled his prodigious talent, allowing his intricate footwork and blistering hand speed to be heard and felt with devastating clarity.
The lasting impact of his approach to the drum kit is immeasurable, leaving an indelible mark on countless drummers across the metal scene and beyond.
He raised the bar not only for what was technically possible behind the kit but also for how the drummer could be presented as a focal point and a true performer.
The image of Joey Jordison, masked and commanding his colossal, rotating fortress of a drum kit, is forever etched into the annals of music history.
His setup remains one of the most recognizable and influential in the world, a legacy cast in steel, bronze, and maple, and a testament to a drummer who was, in every sense of the word, one of a kind.
