Remote Drum Recording

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

A: I record and/or create drums, programming, drum machines, percussion, samples, loops, textures, one-shots, etc. All the "stuff" that gives songs their extra rhythmic character beyond the traditional drumset (but I can do traditional drum parts too!). If you feel like your song is lacking energy, dynamics, or simply just a voice of it's own, I can help!

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

A: Beck Nebel. Beck is an incredible producer, arranger, programmer, mix engineer, bass player, you name it. He also knows how to transcend genre. I've heard him work on stuff anywhere from modern pop to CCM to electronic and he nails it all.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Opening up that new song for the first time and figuring out how to support it is an addiction for me. And I love getting to work with all sorts of different people.

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

A: Do you have any ideas for this song? Answer: Yes.

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

A: Sending an inquiry doesn't mean you HAVE to hire me. Let's talk and see if it's a good fit. If not, I'll try to recommend you to people I think would do a great job with your song(s).

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

A: I would love to work with Margaret Glaspy. I feel like her music has such a great blend of traditional drums and cool programming and that's right where I love to live.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more.

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

A: Singer-songwriter, indie, pop, rock, electronic-ish. The genre lines are so blurred these days, it's hard to really say. If you're on this site and reading this, it's very likely I can work within the genre of your song.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Serving the song and finding tasteful ways to challenge the status quo.

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

A: In no particular order: Ian Fitchuk, Tyler Chester, Dan Bailey, Aaron Sterling, Griffin Goldsmith, Steve Jordan, Brian Blade, Jason McGerr, Scott Quintana, Questlove, Terence Clark, Paul Mabury, Beck Nebel, Cosmo Kramer, Steve Goold, Jacob Arnold, Zach Miller, Nate Smith, Vinnie Colaiuta, Stanton Moore, my friends.

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

A: When recording percussion / programming parts, it's a lot more than just an obligatory tambourine pass on the chorus. Intentionality and creativity are key.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! We live in an amazing time where digital is getting really good at emulations. And it brings the convenience factor. But, analog gear still has that special sauce. I love the tactile experience of using hardware, which is why I like having a few analog drum machines and hardware sequencers.

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

A: I want you to walk away happy, so I'll do as many revisions/tweaks as you want (within reason). I'd much rather work with you and get it exactly the way you want it, than you have to chop and edit later. My goal is for you to be able to just drop my stems in and send it off to mixing.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of music they listen to (specific artists, genres, etc), if they have reference tunes for the vibe they're going for, what type of stuff they'd like me to add to the song.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use a variety of stuff but track primarily through UA Apollo / Unison pres into Logic. Lots of drums, cymbals, percussion, sample + loop libraries, etc.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As a working drummer, I believe my job is to create energy and help support and move the song. I bring that same approach to my programming. I try to create energy where the song needs it, help smooth transitions between the various sections of the song, and bring a unique color and flavor that helps the song have it's own voice.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start by listening through the song itself, as well as any references the artist might have provided. Then I usually start working on the bigger parts of the song (usually the chorus) and then expand out from there. I start with creating the parts/sounds, arranging, then go back and start tweaking and adding color and vibe and glueing everything together.