Struggling to choose someone to play on your music? I know choosing session players to play on your music can be tough. It's your creation, I can totally understand how you wouldn't want anyone to mess it up. My goal is to understand your vision, and to make it as easy as possible for you to get your music finished.
Hi, I'm Bob!
I aim to get on the same wavelength as you about your music. Your inspiration, your goals, your vision, so that I can channel that into my recording. I'll make it as easy as possible for you. We can video call, audio call or just contact over email, whichever is easiest for you. Once we establish what we are after, I will get to work and you will have your drums within 7 days.
I hope you can see you’re in good hands, lets make some music!
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Credits
12 Reviews
Endorse Bob Irving
check_circleVerifiedSo I asked my main man, Bob to do some boom-khas and some cling-clangs, and some bshshshshshs...s to go along with my tweedle-dees that I did on my big, curvy(hey-oh!), metal tube with buttons. Since Bob here is like sooooo goooood at hitting the things with the other things at /just/ the right time and in /just/ the right way, he obviously did an amazing job. If you're reading this, you need to hire this guy! All jokes aside, this guy is a pro, and it shows.
- check_circleVerified
Everything I was looking for and more! Great quality of work and quick responses from Bob, absolute pleasure to work with.
Bob Irving has been an integral part of my life, both as a good mate and as a creative force. I regard him as the most talented and diligent musician I've worked with and his skill as a drummer and percussionist is pretty much impeachable.
Having played in an instrumental-rock band with Bob --and having him play drums on two of my records as The Baroque -- he has informed me hugely as a musician and composer. I don't say this lightly when I say that he is one of the finest musicians I've seen, and I recommend him unreservedly as a musician -- a PERSON -- of real honesty and integrity.Had the pleasure of working with Bob on the Carnival Sunrise cruise ship and this guy is nothing short of amazing. Fantastic skills, spot on accuracy and technique, great work ethic, visual performer, and on top of everything super nice and fun to work with.
5 stars across the board! Bob is a great drummer and so versatile with what he can play. I danced in the production shows he played in and it was an absolute joy!
Great work ethic! Solid skills and even makes the band look cool! Awesome rehearsal preparation and performance ability. Top notch! Would happily work again with him!
Class Drummer! I know his skills, he is good at his art! Love his style to play!.
I worked with Bob on a Carnival ship. Bob is hands down the best drummer I have had the pleasure to perform with. He finds that pocket quick and makes it home. He is a great guy too.
I worked with Bob on Carnival Cruise Line as a Trumpet player. He can play a wide range of styles/tempos and it’s always in the pocket!!
Excelente musician , and person
Bob and I were drummers in the Olympic opening ceremony. Absolutely top lad and top drummer too
Bob is a fantastic musician with a great work ethic. His quality performance is high, always coming with a great attitude and holding himself to a high standard.
Interview with Bob Irving
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: It has to be the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony! I was 1 of 1,000 drummers involved and worked with director Danny Boyle as well as Rick Smith from the electronic duo Underworld. Great memories, and I made some great friends I'm still in touch with.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm working on a project for a bass player out in L.A. It's a really cool arrangement he wrote of Come Together by The Beatles. I've also started recording drums for The Baroque's 3rd studio album. I'm just about to collaborate with a trumpet player out in Atlanta for a cool cover version of a Maddie McFerrin song.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I've honestly only recorded digital it is so practical, although I guess microphones and XLR are analogue! I would love to record to tape to see the difference myself!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to give you the best I possibly can. I will never let myself slack for even one client.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love getting to play drums every day. There's so much to keep learning. Different tunings, mic placement, mics, gain levels it's endless!
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: What kind of music do I play? Man, honestly everything. My main focus is pop/rock but I studied at Berklee College of Music, I worked on cruise ships for 5 years playing all different styles and I just love music!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: People thing I just hit stuff. There's so much more involved!
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: I know it can seem strange hiring someone you don't know over the internet. But it makes it so easy! My aim is to keep things as easy and stress free for you as possible.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My setup consists of my main kit which is a Sakae Trilogy along with matching snare. I have 4 other snares I can call upon for different sounds as needed. I have a mix of cymbals from Istanbul, Meinl, Zildjian and Sabian for different colours and textures. I use 8 Earthworks microphones on the kit but I also have some Shure, Audio Technica and AKG mics in my locker. I use an 8 input Focusrite Clarett interface with the possibility to expand up to 16 inputs through my Focusrite Saffire PRO 40 via ADAT. There's always room for some more gear though...
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you have a clear vision for what you're after? If so I can stay true to the vision, if not I may suggest some of my own ideas.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Martin Motnik. I worked with Martin a few years back on ship and he's a great bass player and an extremely nice guy. Highly recommend if you need bass!
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: It would have to be Biffy Clyro. I've been a huge fan since I was a young teenager, 'mon the Biff!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Kick, snare, hats, one overhead and probably a 6 pack of Brewdog!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started playing drums at 9. I knew when I was 15 that I wanted to make music my career. I moved to Boston to study at Berklee when I was 18. After graduating I started working on cruise ships at 21. And here we are today where I am recording for artists from home, and I'm 26.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Minimalist but purposeful. I love trying to understand how to create tension, and understanding how rhythms can add excitement or wind things back down.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: I always see people EQing so much out of their recordings what was originally captured is not recognisable from the end mix. I feel that with a great drummer good gear and proper mic placement almost no EQ is required.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: The majority is pop/rock but I am comfortable with a wide variety of genres. I have worked on jingles and would love to expand out into TV and movie work.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is listening. That may sound easy but honestly, it amazes me the amount of musicians who are not listening. The music will dictate what you should play, rarely are you required to piece together some amazing part on its own.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I try to bring exactly what the song requires. I feel that if you listen closely enough the music dictates what kind of drums are required. From my time studying at Berklee and my time playing in shows and cover bands on cruise ships I have a wide knowledge of genres and styles of music.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I will chat first with the client to make sure we have the same vision. I will then listen to the music to get an understanding of the feel and mood, and pay close attention to any lyrics. Only then do I go forward and begin to supply the music with the drums it requires.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am really inspired by Sting. I love his songwriting, the simplicity and his use of odd time signatures. The song "I'm not the only one" by Sam Smith is beautiful, I love the drumming on that track. What blew me away was that there is no crash cymbal until the move to the ride for the bridge. Ultimate simplicity, which almost seems to build tension as your ear ultimately wants to hear the song go somewhere else.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: The most common type of work I do is to record drums for other peoples songs. It is generally singer/songwriters and producers that I work for.
I was the drummer in this production
- Live drum trackAverage price - $125 per song
- Programmed drumAverage price - $70 per song
I will have my tracks turned around to you within 3 days, day 1 being when I am sent the music. I also include up to 3 revisions until you are satisfied with the tracks.
- Mostly Earthworks but in my locker I also have Shure
- AKG and Audio Technica microphones. Focusrite Clarett 8Pre interface
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 for additional 8 inputs via ADAT. 2019 MacBook Pro running Logic Pro X.
Discount available for booking 3 or more tracks
- Updated GoalsApr 14, 2020
I have been thinking about what I would want if I were hiring a drummer. It's not chops, or anything technically impressive. I would want to find a like minded person, someone I could trust to know they understand my vision and the meaning behind my music.
So my new goals are to provide my clients with the easiest, stress free service so that they can relax and trust in me.
- First Session Completed!Apr 10, 2020
Just completed my first session on SoundBetter. I recorded some drum loops for a client who is a DJ/Producer. I had a lot of fun and the client was happy with the results! This is the start of something good, looking forward to see what work comes in the future!
- I'm live!Mar 29, 2020
So I've built my SoundBetter profile and we are good to go! Lets record!
