Session Drums Remote Recording

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

A: Probably would be the 1st album I ever recorded which was the Mechanical Bride album 'Living With Ants' it was released on Transgressive records and was the first properly released piece of musical work I had been involved with. I was still learning how to get the most from a drum set in a recording situation and the album involved a lot of dynamic playing something I had never done. It was a proud moment putting that album out and touring it and I still think its one of my favourite album I've ever played on.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently I'm working on a EP for a stripped back post punk artist, a sample heavy big beat EP and a straight up Smashing Pumpkins era single.

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

A: There are a bunch of great producers and musicians on here: Producers, Charlie McClean & Russ 'Junk' Scientist whom I am worked with before and one of my favourite all time drummers Clive Deamer is available on here!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: In terms of drums always analog but recorded digitally for ease myself and with my limited recording equipment. The difference these days is hard to hear, however if I am able and have the gear available recording with analog gear always speaks to me more, as it seems closer to a human reflection for me.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being creative, and documenting a snap shot in time of a piece of music that will live on forever.

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

A: Are you able to replicate an existing drum idea and add your own style? The answer is always yes, I find having a starting point drum wise from the client is always very helpful as it are starting from their viewpoint. This means the main emphasis of feel is already there, as in where the groove needs to lie. This way I can develop my parts with this in mind and arrive at the destination in a more effective time frame.

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

A: That I wouldn’t consider playing drums on any type of music!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of vibe are you going for overall, what artists do you want to reference and what type of drum sound do you ideally want?

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

A: Drums of course, my computer, audient interface and mic pres, and kick and snare mic that’s all you need!

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

A: I've playing drums for over 25 years, and professionally for 15 years. Recording has always been my first love, and now I've been running my own studio for over 3 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I am a Rock drummer at the end of the day, but with an ability to adapt to any musical setting.

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

A: If I had to choose, Bowie as I could learn so much from the great man not just musically.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a relatively small live room, 4x4m however the space as been professionally acoustically treated on all walls and ceiling. Has opposing oak veneer panels off set against the opposite walls to keep the liveness of the drums, and then pulled red & black cloth panels on walls and ceiling to deaden the sound. This means once the drums are setup before you start adding mics the drums are already sounding fantastic in the room, which makes a huge difference. Put through my high end microphones, and precision placement, and beautifully tuned drums the results are always top notch.

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

A: Do it, do it now!

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

A: I pride myself on delivering above and beyond and bringing your track to life

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

A: Working with artists and producers remotely and hands on in the studio to create musical drum parts that add to an elevate a song and performance.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Drum buses!

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

A: Glorious music

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Perception

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Musicality and feel.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Listen through, take in musical references, chart song into sections. Work through each section individually then work through the song as a whole, get the parts cooking. Lay down an initial take, listen back and consider different sound options, mic setups etc to suit the song and client brief. Then make sure parts and sound match the brief and complete a first full take to send to client. Get feedback from the client, usually after 1 or 2 revisions land on the perfect drum take, export stems and send!

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

A: Dave Elitch, Dan Bailey, Rick Rubin, DEVO, too many to mention!