# How to Sound Like Joey Jordison — Slipknot Drum Sound Guide

**Drummer:** Joey Jordison  
**Band:** Slipknot  
**Genre:** Nu-Metal / Alternative Metal  
**Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-joey-jordison

## Overview

Joey Jordison (1975–2021) was the driving heartbeat behind Slipknot's nine-member sonic assault. He pioneered a style that combined extreme metal precision with raw, unhinged aggression. His ability to play at blistering speeds while maintaining groove and musicality set a new standard for metal drumming. Songs like "People = Shit" and "Disasterpiece" showcase a drummer who could blast at 220+ BPM while still serving the song — orchestrating controlled mayhem rather than simply playing fast. Speed without sacrificing musicality was his trademark. His masked performances and showmanship influenced a generation of drummers, and he won countless awards including "Best Metal Drummer" multiple times throughout his career.

## Kit Setup

Joey used a **Pearl Joey Jordison Signature Kit** with birch/basswood hybrid shells, tuned for maximum attack and projection:

- **Kick Drums:** 22" x 18" (x2) with Pearl Demon Drive double pedal
- **Snare:** 14" x 5.5" Pearl Joey Jordison Signature Snare (steel shell)
- **Rack Toms:** 10" x 8", 12" x 9", 14" x 12"
- **Floor Toms:** 16" x 14", 18" x 16"
- **Cymbals:** Paiste Signature Series and RUDE Series — bright and cutting to cut through Slipknot's wall of sound
- **Pedals:** Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal (direct-drive for maximum speed and response)
- **Sticks:** Ahead Joey Jordison Signature (aluminum core with replaceable polyurethane covers)
- **Heads:** Remo Powerstroke P3 Clear (kick), Remo Ambassador X Coated (snare), Remo Emperor Clear (toms)

## Tuning & Setup

Joey tuned for maximum attack and punch, not boom. Tight heads with muffling to control sustain:

- **Kick:** Medium-tight tension. Pillow or blanket touching both heads. Port hole in resonant head is essential for mic placement. The kick should "thump" not "boom."
- **Snare:** High tuning (cranked) for crack and cut. Tune batter head 2–3 turns higher than finger-tight. Bottom head slightly higher than top for sensitivity. Minimal muffling — one Moongel maximum.
- **Toms:** Medium-high tension. Tune in small intervals (roughly a third apart). One Moongel per tom for controlled sustain. Resonant heads slightly lower than batter.

## Technique Tips

Joey used **matched grip** with the fulcrum about one-third up the stick. He kept a loose, whip-like grip — tension kills speed. His wrists handled faster passages while full arm movements came in for accents and crashes.

**Signature patterns:**

- **The Slipknot Blast (180–220 BPM, Advanced):** Not a traditional death metal blast. Joey used single-foot blasts with alternating hands on snare and hi-hat, creating a wall of aggression while maintaining groove. Start at 120 BPM with a metronome and focus on even spacing between all hits before adding speed.
- **Syncopated Double Bass (160–200 BPM, Intermediate-Advanced):** Patterns locked with guitar riffs rather than straight 16ths. Learn the guitar riffs first, then build drum patterns around them.
- **Tom Fill Cascades (Variable, Intermediate):** Rapid cascades down the toms in rapid single strokes. Practice RLRL, RRLL, RLLR patterns around all toms at consistent volume before adding speed.

**Key songs to study:** *People = Shit* (Iowa, 2001) · *Duality* (Vol. 3, 2004) · *Psychosocial* (All Hope Is Gone, 2008) · *Disasterpiece* (Iowa, 2001)

## Gear Shopping List

| Item | Joey's Spec | Budget Alternative |
|------|-------------|-------------------|
| Drum Kit | Pearl Joey Jordison Signature (Birch/Basswood) | Pearl Export Series (~$700) |
| Snare | Pearl Joey Jordison Signature Snare 14" x 5.5" | Pearl Sensitone Steel |
| Cymbals | Paiste Signature/RUDE Series | Paiste PST 5 Pack (~$200–300) |
| Double Pedal | Pearl Demon Drive | Pearl P930 Double Pedal (~$130) |
| Sticks | Ahead Joey Jordison Signature | Vic Firth 5B |
| Kick Head | Remo Powerstroke P3 Clear | Evans EMAD |

**Starter budget path (~$1,000):** Pearl Export + Paiste PST 5 pack + Pearl double pedal. See [/gear/pedals](https://metalforge.io/gear/pedals) and [/brands/pearl](https://metalforge.io/brands/pearl).

## Practice Routine

1. **Single Stroke Speed Builder (15–20 min daily):** Start at 100 BPM playing continuous 16th notes on snare. Increase 5 BPM every 2 minutes. When strokes become unclean, drop back 10 BPM and work there. Goal: clean 16ths at 180+ BPM.
2. **Double Bass Synchronization (10–15 min daily):** Play quarter notes with hands (alternating crash/hi-hat) while feet play continuous 16th notes. Focus on making feet sound like one drummer. Goal: smooth double bass at 160+ BPM.
3. **Tom Flow Patterns (10 min daily):** Single-stroke runs around all toms at consistent volume and tone before adding speed.
4. **Song Deconstruction (30 min daily):** One Slipknot song per week, learned note-for-note. Record yourself and compare to the original.

**Common mistakes:** Playing too tense; focusing only on speed and ignoring groove; ignoring dynamics (Joey went from whisper to scream instantly); skipping foundational technique for flashy stuff.

## FAQ

**Q: What drums did Joey Jordison use?**  
A: Joey used a Pearl Joey Jordison Signature Kit with birch/basswood hybrid shells. Early Slipknot recordings featured Pearl Export and Pearl Masters kits. His signature series was designed specifically to handle his aggressive style while projecting over Slipknot's massive sound.

**Q: How do I get the Joey Jordison drum sound?**  
A: Tune your kit tight and punchy: high snare tension for crack, heavily muffled kicks that thump rather than boom, and toms with minimal sustain. Use bright cymbals (Paiste RUDE or Signature series). Technique matters more than gear — focus on a loose, rebounding matched grip and keep relaxed for speed.

**Q: How did Joey Jordison play so fast on double bass?**  
A: Joey used heel-up technique with ankle motion for speed, practiced constantly, and maintained strong physical conditioning. His Pearl Demon Drive direct-drive pedals also helped with their fast mechanical response. Relaxation is key — tension is the enemy of double bass speed.

**Q: Did Joey Jordison use drum triggers?**  
A: Yes. Joey used triggers on his kick drums for live performance to ensure consistent attack through Slipknot's loud stage volume. Studio recordings varied between triggered and acoustic sounds depending on the record.

**Q: Can I get Joey's sound on a budget kit?**  
A: Absolutely. Tuning and technique matter more than gear. Focus on tight, punchy tuning with proper muffling. A Pearl Export or similar intermediate kit tuned correctly can get you very close to his sound.

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**Full interactive guide:** [https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-joey-jordison](https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-joey-jordison)  
**Drummer profile:** [https://metalforge.io/drummer/joey-jordison](https://metalforge.io/drummer/joey-jordison)  
**Related guides:** [Lars Ulrich](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-lars-ulrich.md) · [Dave Lombardo](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-dave-lombardo.md)

*Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io) · Last updated: 2026-06-19*