Chris McGrew on SoundBetter

Located at the famous Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, Wally's Hyde Out is one of the best drum rooms ever built. Designed by Bill Putnam in 1968, this room has spawned legendary records for 50 years. (ex.Herbie Hancock, Santana, Grateful Dead, Green Day, Dead Kennedys) You can have perfect drum tones on your album. It's all about the room.

Working as a drummer and producer for the past 25 years in San Francisco, I've built a wide vocabulary playing in jazz, funk, rock, punk, metal, folk, ska, and samba bands. (ex. Griddle, Car Wash, Jazz Weasels, Bishop Norman Williams, The Kouyate Twins, Curtis Lawson, Pamela Parker). I have also recorded or performed with such luminaries as John Vanderslice, Ralph Carney, Donald Bailey, Eric McFadden, Ronkat Spearman, and Rich Armstrong. I've produced 13 albums and played on many more. At Wally's Hyde Out we have wide selection of drums, mics and outboard preamps, giving me the flexibility in need to get whatever sound you are looking for.

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3 Reviews

Endorse Chris McGrew

by Seth Shapiro
It's been fantastic working with Chris over the past few years. He is a kick-ass drummer who brings passion and fire to his playing, and he's a great guy who seeks to bring the most out of whatever project he is working on. He's also skilled in the studio, and his room at Hyde Street Studios is top notch. Great drummer, great guy.
by Kevin Gerzevitz
I’ve worked with McGrew in several bands over the decades. He is a consummate drummer and dedicated producer, stationed in one of the finest recording facilities on the west coast. Hyde Street has got mojo, and so does Chris. He will rock your project and he’s also one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet!
by Dmitri Mavra
Our band worked with Chris on our last two albums. Chris is a great drummer and that gives him special insight into dialing in the drum sounds. He's an easy-going dude who takes great pride in make kick ass music!

Interview with Chris McGrew

Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: We have set up our studio to have the warmth and vibe of a traditional analog studio and the clarity and flexibility of a digital recording. We have analog outboard preamps and a ProTools HDX interface. We output analog into an SPL MixDream summing mixer to create the blend we love when mixing on a bug desk. After that, our mix goes through Manley and SSL bus compression and then back to digital through a BURL B2 A/D converter.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently I'm working on completing a record with Pamela Parker recorded entirely at Hyde Street Studios
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is to treat your recording with the same standard of care that I have on my own projects and to stay true to your vision.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I really love helping someone realize a musical vision.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been recording and performing in San Francisco since 1995, touring with many mid-level bands and helping people make records.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Fluid and propulsive country funk rock with a jazz mindset.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Make it sound great on the way in!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Indie, Rock, Funk, RnB, World music, Americana
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I'm skilled at shaping drum parts to frame the arrangement and dynamically driving a track
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I am devoted to making everyone else sound good. My choices are determined by the shape and direction of the song, and I love to support great vocals
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to talk with the artist via Skype or phone and determine what they are looking for. Then I have them send me a session or a stereo pair. I'll choose the appropriate gear with them and pick a date. I then like to have the client available for feedback on the tracking day if possible, so we can arrive at that happy place right away. I'll then send back stems of each mic and a drum mix pair. If I have the entire session I can mix for you as well.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: We have set up our studio to have the warmth and vibe of a traditional analog studio and the clarity and flexibility of a digital recording. We have analog outboard preamps and a ProTools HDX interface. We output analog into an SPL MixDream summing mixer to create the blend we love when mixing on a bug desk. After that, our mix goes through Manley and SSL bus compression and then back to digital through a BURL B2 A/D converter. I have 5 top quality drum kits to choose from and 6 snares to capture the sound you seek.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I love Quincy Jones, Nile Rogers and Brian Eno as producers and My favorite drummers are Zigaboo Modeliste, Keith Moon, Tony Williams, Nate Smith, Mauricio Zotarelli, and Celso Alberti
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Drum Recording and album production, editing and mixing