Hi I'm Dan and, my goal is to get you the drum tracks you need for your music giving it a solid foundation for you to build upon as your recording progresses. I'm client focussed and want to get inside your music to help realise it to its fullest. Expect more than just a great drum take...
What can I offer to you?
In a nutshell, I offer you the highest quality custom drums for your music.
I provide up to 14 tracks of the highest quality drumming (24 bit, 48kHz) plus any extra percussion or overdubs you require. Sometimes you just need that tambourine to make the chorus really pop! These are included at no extra charge, its a percussion part, not just drums!
What will you receive and when?
I offer 2 revisions for your drum tracks.
I will send you an mp3 after each session so you can provide feedback, once you are satisfied and sign off on the final take, I'll send the stems over to you.
I’ll also include a stereo bounce to give you something quick and easy to record other parts along to.
What do I need from you?
Your track with and without drums (If you have any programmed) This MUST be recorded to a metronome.
BPM
An idea of the beat and sound you’re after - reference tracks are useful!
We can arrange a time to talk over the internet (FaceTime/ Zoom/ Skype etc) to really get in-depth with what you want. I love doing this as it helps me get it right first time!
Working with different artists each day is what I love, it keeps me excited about music and I cant wait to get excited about your music. Send me a message and lets chat!
Dan
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
3 Reviews
Endorse Dan Garcia Drums
check_circleVerifiedThis was my first experience with SoundBetter and it has been really great. Dan understood perfectly what I needed and executed it brilliantly. He sent me two options and both fitted perfectly. I choose the one where he played more freely. The track now sounds twice as good with his contribution. Totally recommended.
Dan plays drums very well and is committed to excellence, both in producing a quality drum track and outlining what is needed for best results. He communicates generously and easily, making it a pleasure to work with him.
Dan is a talented drummer who delivers exactly what he promises. I learned so much from working with him! Great with communication as well.
Interview with Dan Garcia Drums
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I worked with an awesome client via SoundBetter. I think its one of the best drum sounds I ever got and it suited his music perfectly.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am always working on my free loops project which I called 'Lottery Drum Loops'. I record and send out a free loop every week for artists, producers and songwriters to help with their creative process.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: It depends what kind of music you're producing. For me and the music I make, I would love to have a studio with all analog gear and the most beautiful pre-amps etc. But I think for most applications, the digital emulations that are available now can keep up.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I get to play music every day, work with incredible artists and help them realise their music to its full potential.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Customers usually ask me about my studio space, the gear I track with or where I live. I tell them about my studio in North London, I give them a run down of my gear and I'll let them know the area I live in, if they want to know!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I just hit stuff! It's way deeper than that!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been doing this for 10 years. I started at The Leeds College of music and have been touring and recording professionally since grauating.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Andy Shauf. His drum sounds are some of the coolest so I'd love to be part of that process.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I usually work on Indie-pop music or tracks for singer-songwriters.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is making sure that the source sound is right and that I pay attention to all the small details, right from drum selection, stick choice, tuning of the drums, mic choice, mic placement, gain staging; even down to how and where I'm striking the drum.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: My typical process is to first and foremost talk with the artist to see what they want from the music and what they want the drums to do. Once we have agreed that, I request the necessary files to begin recording, I track the drums and then we go through the revisions process until the artist is happy with it (I offer unlimited revisions) If the artist is happy after that, then I send the stems the same day.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Drummers I love are Aaron Sterling (John Mayer), Dan Bailey (Father John Misty) and Blair Sinta (Various)
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I record custom drum tracks
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style is laidback, solid and in the pocket.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio is in North London where I share with a producer. I have access to a wide range of microphones and drum kits!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is that I will treat your music as if it was my own and I will work with you to get the best drum take and sounds possible, no matter how long it takes.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I always ask what the song is about and what they're trying to convey. I want what I play to be in line with the message the artist delivering.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: One tip? Take your time and get the source sound good. You can't plugin you way out of a bad sound.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring simplicity, focus and musicality. No one is listening your song to hear my drums. They want the narrative, so my drums are a foundation for you to build everything else on top of and for that reason, they serve the song.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Sticks. Metronome. Kick. Snare. Hats. I presume I can have all the hardware thrown in right?
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Sadly no, hopefully that can change soon and I can meet some other great artists!
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Choose someone who cares about your music as much as you do. You've spent a lot of time getting it to the point where you're ready to record. Make sure you choose someone who is going to get the job done the way you want it. You're employing them after all!
I was the Drummer in this production
- Live drum trackAverage price - $125 per song
7 Day turnaround time
All Revision requests must be submitted within 30 days of the original date of recording
Songs over 5 minutes incur a charge of £5 per minute
All songs must be to click
- Andy Shauf
- Father John Misty
- John Mayer
- Vintage Beverley drums (1974)
- DW Collectors Series Snare
- Rogers Powertone Snare
- Coles 4038 (Stereo Pair)
If you work with Logic Pro X - I can offer a discount.
