Jake Reed

Session drummer

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4 Reviews (3 Verified)
Jake Reed on SoundBetter

I specialize in being versatile. I'm a one-stop shop for many different styles and sounds - everything from hard hitting rock to super light jazz.

One thing I love about being a professional drummer in LA is getting to play so many different styles of music - rock, pop, jazz, orchestral etc. - for film/TV, indie singer-songwriter projects, and everything in between on a regular basis.

One thing I don't really love about LA is all the name dropping - mostly because I don't have many said "names" to drop (see below). What I can guarantee, however, is that I'll do my best to provide you will the best drum tracks I can to help make your music "soundbetter" (see what I did there?).

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

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Jake Reed
  • Heather Youmans
  • Nick DePinna
  • Karrin Allyson
  • Kait Dunton
  • Kait Dunton
  • Kait Dunton
  • Kait Dunton
  • NOFX
  • Kait Dunton
  • Kait Dunton
  • Kait Dunton
  • Tim Fischer
  • Cow Bop
  • Cow Bop
  • Tat
  • CCM Jazz Ensemble
  • CCM Jazz Ensemble
  • CCM Jazz Ensemble
  • Maggie Herron
  • David Sills
  • Christina Rusnak
  • Sabrina Pirzada
  • Matt Forbes
  • Bruce Forman
  • Cow Bop
  • Bruce Forman
  • Cow Bop
  • Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum
  • David Sills
  • Mike Scott
  • Jake Reed
  • Roger Shew
  • Bruce Forman Trio
  • Bruce Forman
  • Bruce Forman
  • Bruce Forman
  • Shani
  • Shani
  • Jake Reed
  • Phil Lewis
  • Catherine Goldwyn
  • Phil Lewis
  • Catherine Goldwyn
  • Phil Lewis
  • Catherine Goldwyn
  • Matt Forbes
  • David Wise
  • Ron Boustead
  • Ron Boustead
  • Sabrina Pirzada

4 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Jake Reed
  1. Review by Sonny G.
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    Jake is a no-brainer hire. Excellent communicator and just straight TASTY playin'. His drums made all the other elements feel like they were played better (spooky man).

  2. Review by stephie
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    I love working with Jake! The guy literally never fails me . What can I say, I'm a repeat customer.

  3. Review by Cody Readinger
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    Working with Jake was such a breeze. He is super talented and professional - I had a blast structuring this track with him. I can't wait to start a new project just so I can get him involved.

  4. Review by Wil Anspach
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    Jake Reed is easily one of the best session drummers in the world right now. He is my go to drummer for any style from jazz to hard rock. He has also grown to become a great engineer and the tracks Ive had him play on have a professional sound even when I have him record himself at his home studio. I would hire him for any project I needed a true pro.

Interview with Jake Reed

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

  2. A: Andrew Synowiec's debut album as a leader. It was fun to play so many different styles. My role was to play drums (duh!).

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

  4. A: My first solo album.

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

  6. A: Sean Hurley on bass. And, guess what?! We can track together at my studio.

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: Both because it's 2020.

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

  10. A: I promise to give my all to your track.

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

  12. A: Getting to help others hear their songs come to life.

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

  14. A: Customer: "This sounds amazing, can you give me a couple more options to choose from?" Me: "Of course!"

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

  16. A: That I'm just a "rock drummer" or just a "jazz guy" ... I love to play many styles of music.

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

  18. A: What kind of groove/sound are you looking for? What are your influences? References for the specific song? When do you need it by?

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

  20. A: Please have at least a general idea for what you'd like me to provide for you or an open mind.

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

  22. A: kick, hat, snare, laptop, mic, interface ... dang it that's six pieces!

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

  24. A: I grew up in Kansas City playing in jazz bands and garage bands in the 90s and 00s. Moved to Cincinnati to go to the conservatory and then moved to LA. I've been playing drums for over 25 years!

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: Versatile.

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

  28. A: Anyone trying to make honest music.

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

  30. A: Start with a good song.

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

  32. A: rock, pop, indy rock, jazz, funk, fusion, country, americana, etc.

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: I'm a really good listener.

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

  36. A: I bring what the song needs.

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

  38. A: Listen to the song/piece of music and then talk to the client about what they're looking for from the drums - sounds, grooves, vibe, etc.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: I have a medium sized "drum booth" in my house, 2 UA Apollo 8p interfaces (16 channels); All of the "normal" drum mics - 57s, D12, D112, 421s, 414s; some not so normal mics - DPA 4011s, Mojave MA-1000s, Soyuz "Bomblets"; preamps: Neve, BAE, API 500 series; Manley dual channel tube pres; compressors: DBX 160vu, Urei 1178, 4 channel transient designer, Empirical Labs Distressor.

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

  42. A: Andrew Synowiec, Sean Hurley; anyone who can really play and is a good human.

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

  44. A: Singer-songwriter, Indy rock, film/TV, jazz, big band

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Sample Reel by Jake Reed

I was the drummer, percussionist, engineer in this production

Terms Of Service

I usually provide at least 3 full takes so clients can choose different grooves/fills. Typical turn around time is a day or two. Perc overdubs included at no add charge!

GenresSounds Like
  • Led Zeppelin
  • Bill Withers
  • Frank Sinatra
Gear Highlights
  • Many vintage drum kits and snares
  • Gretsch
  • Camco
  • Ludwig
  • DPA mics
  • AKG 414s
  • Neumann
  • Mojave MA-1000
  • 16 channels of BAE 1084 preamps
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