Spencer McLeod

Drummer

Spencer McLeod on SoundBetter

No longer doing work here.

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Interview with Spencer McLeod

  1. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  2. A: Digitally in the most analog way possible. Digitally because it's cheaper and a little easier to work with. However, I like to do it in the most analog way possible because it's about capturing a performance. Life, sound, and performances are all analog things - don't destroy it by removing that human element. Don't copy and paste, play it right. No pitch correction - sing it right. Subtle variations in timing can give a track that human feel - don't use beat detective to make it "perfect".

  3. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  4. A: Maybe it's selfish but, it's either: - playing something back that I did and going, "Wow... that's me?" - playing something back to a client and them going "Wow... that's me/us?" That never gets old. Ever.

  5. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  6. A: Q: Are you jack black? A: No.

  7. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  8. A: Working in and around Calgary, usually the first question is... have you ever recorded before? Gives me a sense if they know what to expect or not. If they have, then I follow up with how the workflow was and what they liked or didn't like about it.

  9. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  10. A: Just because someone has all the best gear, doesn't mean they're any good. On the flip side, just because someone has minimal or cheaper gear, doesn't mean they can't make a great product.

  11. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  12. A: My drums, guitar, DAW, Rode NT4, & my iPod (yes I still have mine).

  13. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  14. A: I've been playing drums my whole life. I got into audio around 2006. Built my home studio over time, worked with various types of clients early on. Then I ended up in electrical engineering and web development, all while still playing drums and forming a band. Now I've kind of come full circle and want to try and get some session gigs because I know I am fully capable of delivering. Interested in seeing where this goes.

  15. Q: How would you describe your style?

  16. A: Driving & I like to experiment and explore ideas. However many would agree that less is more in the appropriate situations.

  17. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  18. A: Way too many it's impossible to pick one. However the reasons would virtually all be the same: - I love their work. - I will definitely learn something new working with established and experienced artists.

  19. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  20. A: Rock & heavy rock.

  21. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  22. A: Definitely drumming.

  23. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  24. A: Probably power, energy, and feel.

  25. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  26. A: It's an undeveloped basement with recording capabilities. Open concept. Yamaha Live Custom (6 piece) drums using Sabian HHX/AAX cymbals. DAW: - Mac Pro 1,1 - Pro Tools LE 8 - Digi 003 rack plus (8 mic preamps) - (Insert future Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic 8-Channel Microphone Preamp for ADAT expansion to 16 inputs in May 2019) - Waves Gold Bundle - Waves SSL 4000 Collection - Custom built studio monitors Microphones: - Rode NT4 stereo X/Y - AKG D112 - Shure SM57 (x2) - Sennheiser e604 (x3) - Beyerdynamic Opus 88 (x2) - Samson CL2 (x2)

  27. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  28. A: Brendan O'brien, Dave Jerden, Eddie Kramer, Rick Rubin, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Ghost, etc.

Gear Highlights
  • Yamaha Live Custom 6 piece
  • Waves Gold & SSL 4000 series plugin bundles
  • various microphones
More Photos