Tom DuPree III

Session Drummer / Producer

starstarstarstarstar
294 Reviews (270 Verified)
Tom DuPree III on SoundBetter

Hi. I'm Tom. I am a session drummer & producer, and I want to help you make an amazing record. I have delivered high-quality online drum tracks and remote production to satisfied clients on every continent. Together, we can bring your music to life. Let's make something awesome!

I have been a music lover for as long as I can remember, and I have been fortunate enough to call my passion my career for over a decade. Everything about making records, I love. From producing and songwriting to art direction and branding, if it is part of the process, I'm in.

I've been signed to Lava / Universal Republic Records by industry legend Jason Flom, recorded with Josh Abraham, Ryan Williams, & Chris Lord-Alge and drummed for, toured with, and/or band led on behalf of artists on Atlantic and Warner Bros. Records, including, most recently, multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated rock band, Tonic. I have performed for crowds ranging from one to 30,000, sharing the stage with some of the highest-selling acts in modern music along with some of the best musicians in the world. And I have produced, mixed, and played on thousands of recordings to date.

It is my passion to create music with others. I aim to provide excellent communication and pay strict attention to detail. And I will do all I can to make sure you get exactly what you want for your project.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

294 Reviews - 61 Repeat Clients

Endorse Tom DuPree III
  1. Review by adan s.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Awesome job by Tom! So very professional, great taste, consistently fast @ his track turn around. A real professional! Thank you, Tom

  2. Review by Hank T.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Having worked with Tom on several projects I can honestly say that he's the man! He has no problem changing or doing anything extra to make sure I have what I need for my song. I highly recommend Tom!

  3. Review by Joshua S.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    First class professional and Top Talent - The only person I use on here for all my percussion needs. Look no further, Tom is your guy !!

  4. Review by Jeff I.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Tom is a musical soothsayer both in front of and behind the kit. I am very grateful that I get to work with Tom. I trust him implicitly with building a foundation for my songs that support them in the most intricate and subtle ways. Tom continues to inspire me to play and write better songs. Thank you Tom!

  5. Review by Hank Toet
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Tom is my go to guy for everything drum related! Always gives me options to chose from! Great communication and fast turnaround! Highly recommended!

  6. Review by Nicholas K.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Quick and killer drums like always

  7. Review by Marin B.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Great drum tracks as always! Thank you!

  8. Review by Jeff I.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Music is an interesting thing. We take these ideas from inside our brains/hearts and then convert them into air essentially. It's usually something quite personal and to find a collaborator who truly understands what you are trying to accomplish is nothing short of extraordinary. And that is what Tom Dupree III is, extraordinary. My hope for you is that you get to work with Tom.

  9. Review by Matt Dougherty
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Tom never fails to deliver tasteful, pro drums on a moment's notice!! Whether it's duplicating a programmed part or just doing his own thing it always elevates the track. HIGHLY recommend :)

  10. Review by Jeff I.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Let me tell you what it's like working with Mr. Tom DuPree III. He puts his heart and soul into his music. I have been fortunate enough to have Tom lend his talents to my songs and bring them to a whole other level. Tom recently helped me add some programmed drums to a song and on the first listen the hair stood up on both arms. That's how good Tom is. I don't know how he does it, but I am sure grateful for Tom!

  11. Review by Tyler!
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Tyler!
    check_circleVerified

    Great work and turn around time! Always recommend Tom!

  12. Review by Hank T.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Tom always comes through for me! Gives me many options to choose from and is always flexible if I ask for another take. He not happy until I'm happy! I highly recommend Tom!

  13. Review by Doug Geikie
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Tom did drums for our whole album! Great person, speedy delivery. Always on point. What more can we ask for!? \m/

  14. Review by Alfonso B.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Absolutely a great drummer! Very accommodating.Would definitely recommend. Really made my song stand out.

  15. Review by Marin B.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Another solid drum session from Tom! Thanks!!!

  16. Review by Josh M.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Tom is the best of the best! He plays with the utmost accuracy and precision and always brings the best out of my songs

  17. Review by Tyler!
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Tyler!
    check_circleVerified

    Tom delivers creatively consistently .
    7 stars

  18. Review by Hank T.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Another great track with Tom DuPree! Fast turnaround, High Quality and easy to work with! Just an awesome collaboration all around!

  19. Review by Hank T.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Amazing and easy to work with! Tom always gives several options and then incorporated my feedback super fast and I had what I needed in no time! Efficient, high quality and just overall awesome!

  20. Review by Hank T.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Tom understood immediately what I needed and gave me 3 great options to choose from! Great communication and quick turnaround.

Interview with Tom DuPree III

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

  2. A: I'd say the two questions I get asked the most frequently are "How long does it take?" and "How much does it cost?" When you boil it down, these are the two things people want to know above all else. My standard turnaround time is five (5) business days and my standard rate is $200 per song for drum tracks. But I would ask that if you want something different than that, please just ask me. I always want to find an opportunity to work with someone!

  3. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  4. A: That because I do what I love for a living, and because I work for myself, it's not really work at all. Don't get me wrong, my profession is a complete joy, but I am the only one responsible for the work getting done for my business so, more often than not, I have to work twice as hard!

  5. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  6. A: I was the drummer in a band that got signed to Lava / Universal Republic under the direction of Jason Flom. For that record, we recorded with Josh Abraham, Ryan Williams, and Chris Lord-Alge. The experience of making that album probably did more to inform me about making a great recording than anything else has in my career. It also gave me a huge boost of confidence to have guys of that level compliment my playing. I will carry that experience with me forever.

  7. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  8. A: I am consistently turning out multiple drum sessions and producing EPs and LPs for bands and artists in Nashville, TN.

  9. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  10. A: Nick Scallorn. He is an excellent guitar player and an even better guy. I work with him on an ongoing basis in my studio in Nashville and could not give him a higher recommendation.

  11. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  12. A: Oh man, both. Each for their own very different reasons. I prefer a combination of the two. A good hybrid produces great sound quality and a much more manageable workflow.

  13. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  14. A: I will do my very best to deliver exactly what you want and need for your project. And I will keep a consistent, open line of communication throughout the entire process.

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

  16. A: I get to do what I love for a living. And I am in charge of my own schedule. Not having to ask anyone for time off is my version of success.

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

  18. A: My favorite one is, "If everything worked out perfectly and you had the career of your dreams, what would success look like for you? What kind of artist would you be?" That answer can tell you a lot about the kind of record someone wants to make.

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

  20. A: Trust your gut. If someone feels shady or doesn't get back to within a reasonable amount of time, don't work with them. There are far too many people of integrity and skill in this world to waste your time on those simply looking to turn a quick buck at your expense.

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

  22. A: Kick, snare, hi-hat, iPhone (with the Garageband App installed), and some sort of solar charger so I could keep recording stuff!

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

  24. A: This has been my career for the entirety of my professional life. Music is what I have always done in some form or fashion. I used to tour a lot more, but I have gravitated more toward the studio the longer I have been in business.

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

  26. A: My focus is generally on rock, pop, and electronic music. I also really enjoy working on metal but don't get to do quite as much of that as I would like.

  27. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  28. A: I built my entire studio myself. It is isolated, tuned, and treated. And it is super-comfortable and vibey. It's a great place to create music. I have a big drum room with 40 channels, industry standard microphones–Sennheiser 421s, SM7bs, 57s, 81s, Fatheads, RE-20, AKG D11, some really great RME preamps, a Universal Audio Apollo 16 interface, and I am running Logic X and Ableton Live 9. I have a great Ludwig kit and a bunch of snare drum and cymbal options as well. It's the kind of thing I've dreamt about having my entire life, and now I do!

  29. Q: How would you describe your style?

  30. A: I am definitely a rock drummer, first and foremost. Groove, feel, and consistency are the most important things to me. And I mix and produce from a rock and pop perspective. No doubt about it.

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

  32. A: I think Muse would be a ton of fun to work with, or a band like them. I would love to be a part of making a record that has no rules.

  33. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  34. A: Less is more. Don't get bogged down in parts. It takes just as much talent to make a song huge with minimal parts as it does to create a slew of really great individual pieces.

  35. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  36. A: I do my best to be a great communicator. In my experience, the better the communication, the better the final product and the happier everyone is throughout the process.

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

  38. A: I believe I am good at helping to guide a song along its way to becoming what it wants to be. As a drummer, I try to lay a solid, consistent foundation for the band, create special moments, and accent the lead vocal. As a producer and mix engineer, my job is to make the song the most impactful version of itself that it can be.

  39. Q: What's your typical work process?

  40. A: For drums, I will usually listen to the song several times through to get all of the finer points of it internalized. Then I will track 3 takes in a row and come back into the control room and review them to make sure it all works well for the song. If I am happy with the parts and performance, then I will compress and post the files to Dropbox and send the link on its way! As a producer and mix engineer, the process is more complex and varies from client to client. In a nutshell though, I do my best to communicate well and make the client as comfortable, encouraged, and inspired as possible. I believe a relaxed environment is key to making great music.

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

  42. A: As a drummer, I draw a great deal of inspiration from Josh Freese and Kenny Aronoff, guys who have the ability to truly play for the song, and whose work has spanned many genres over the years. Like them, my goal is to be someone who can add value to any piece of music that is put in front of me. And as a producer and mix engineer, I believe Rick Rubin, Andy Wallace, Butch Vig, Butch Walker, Chris & Tom Lord-Alge, and Neal Avron are at the top of the game. If I could be put into the same category as any one of those guys, it would be an honor.

  43. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  44. A: The thing I do more than anything else is provide high-quality drum tracks for my clients. I have worked very hard over the years to cultivate a collection of top-notch recording gear and to hone my skills as a player, in an effort to provide the most seamless and rewarding experience possible.

loading
play_arrowpause
skip_previous
skip_next
Must Be Dreaming by Tom DuPree III

I was the Producer, Singer, Songwriter, Mixing Engineer & Mastering Engineer in this production


  1. play_arrow
    pause
    Must Be Dreaming by Tom DuPree III
  2. play_arrow
    pause
    When We Were Young by Tom DuPree III
  3. play_arrow
    pause
    Circles by Throwing Gravity
  4. play_arrow
    pause
    The Cure by Oceanwide
Terms Of Service

I will deliver drumming projects within five (5) business days and full productions within ten (10) business days unless we discuss otherwise. Three (3) revisions free of charge.

GenresSounds Like
  • Josh Freese
  • Trent Reznor
  • The Chainsmokers
Gear Highlights
  • Ludwig Classic Maple
  • Zildjian Avedis & A Custom
  • Multiple Snare Drums
  • Cascade Fatheads
  • Sennheiser MD421s
  • EV RE20
  • AKG D112
  • Shure SM57s
  • Shure SM81s
  • Shure SM7bs
  • RME Preamps
  • UA Apollo 16
  • Logic Pro X
  • 24 Bit / 192 kHz A/D Conversion
More Photos
More Samples
  • A Successful DealApr 28, 2020

    Thank you to everyone who took advantage of my 50% discount on drum tracks from April 1st - April 15th. It was a blast working on your projects, and I am so grateful for the influx of work!

    If you missed the deal, don't worry, I'm still tracking at my normal rate. And who knows, maybe I'll run another deal again soon... 🤷🏼‍♂️

  • 50% Off All Drum Sessions!Apr 01, 2020

    I know times are tight right now for everyone, so from April 1st through April 15th, I am cutting my rate for drum tracks by half. 

    For the next two weeks, any drum session you book with me will be just $100.

    Let's take advantage of our time at home and create something amazing together!

  • Good VibesMar 23, 2020

    I just wanted to post a little update sending love to anyone out there who needs it in these uncertain times. For me, spending more time engaged in creativity and interests has proven much more valuable than sitting and watching TV or playing video games.

    I hope you are all finding ways to engage your creativity right now!

    ❤️

  • Crazy TimesMar 14, 2020

    Pretty wild stuff going on in the world right now. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm going to do my best to keep the creativity alive while I'm limited from going anywhere. This is one of those times when I'm super grateful to have invested so much time and energy into remote collaboration thus far. 

    For those of us who can, let's keep making music!

  • New Video on YouTubeFeb 24, 2020

    Yo! I just posted a new how-to video to my YouTube channel. This one came from a question in the comments section of one of my previous videos. I've been really trying to up my b-roll game in these videos, seeking to take a step forward with each one I make. 

    Check out it and let me know what you think. I'd love your feedback!

    Tom

  • Thank youFeb 21, 2020

    Thank you guys for another awesome week here on SoundBetter. I'm truly grateful for the platform and for the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented people.

    Hope everyone has a great weekend!

    Tom

  • 2020 Is RollingFeb 13, 2020

    Man what a start to the year so far! Just want to drop a quick note to say I’m loving all the songs I’ve gotten to work on so far in 2020 and can’t wait to see what else is in store. 

    Hope your year is off to an awesome start as well! Let’s go! 💥💥💥

  • Moving Into the Holiday SeasonNov 25, 2019

    As we move into the holiday season of 2019 and toward the close of the year, I just wanted to drop a quick note to say thank you to everyone who has chosen to include me in your work this year. It has been another amazing year of working with so many great and talented people here on SoundBetter. I am super grateful for you all! ✌🏻😎

  • A View Underneath The HoodJan 30, 2019

    If you ever have any curiosity about my creative process or environment, please check out my daily vlog on my YouTube channel.

    I post five days a week, and there is a lot of footage of my creative process and what my studio setup is like.

    And I post a ton of drum videos too! 🥁

  • Constant RefinementJan 15, 2019

    Refinement of my drum sound. I did it in my old studio. I'm doing it in the new one.


    I love going back even a few months and hearing the subtle differences coming out of my speakers.


    Improvement doesn't just happen overnight. It's the sum of thousands of micro-improvements over time. A subtle adjustment of an EQ here, a change in compression there.


    It all adds up.

  • My New Drum RoomOct 24, 2018

    I'm back, baby!

    About three weeks ago, my old studio flooded. Needless to say, it was a nightmare.

    The good new is that most of my gear survived, and I just finished my new drum room. So far, it's sounding even better than the old one, and that is a definite win. I put a lot more thought into things this time around, and all that planning seems to have paid off.


    I can't wait for you to hear it!


    😎