Mike Bennett on SoundBetter

Internationally acclaimed drummer, percussionist, and programmer, I’ve performed, toured, and recorded across various genres with artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Richie Kotzen, Hilary Duff, Charlie Wilson, Natasha Bedingfield, Five for Fighting, Steve Stevens, Andra Day, Paulina Rubio, Boyz II Men, Mary Mary, Dasha, Nick Carter, and many more...

Now that the obligatory “Hollywood Hard-Sell” of credits is behind us, I’m Mike, and I’m a remote recordist who works with both famous and not-so-famous people.

From songs and TV/streaming cues to movie soundtracks, podcasts, and more, I’ve had the chance to work on a wide range of sounds, styles, and sessions with clients all over the world.

My studio is designed specifically for this work, with a vast collection of drums, cymbals, percussion, microphones, and other gear. This allows me to make the right sonic choices to support and enhance each project. I collaborate with every client to find a quick and efficient way to achieve the best sounds and performances possible from start to finish. The goal is to keep everyone excited about the creative and production process throughout. I know this is just one part of the overall project, and I want every client to feel confident moving forward into the next phase.

As a drummer, percussionist, and programmer, I’m proud to offer a complete and thoughtful rhythmic foundation, along with a variety of “drop-in friendly” and mix-ready options. I aim to make things easy but also fun.

I’m new to the SoundBetter community and looking forward to meeting many talented people and working on some inspiring projects.

Please feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions or need more information.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Credits

Endorse Mike Bennett1 Reviews

by matt Beckley
Ive used Mike many times for many different styles of projects. EVERY time I am knocked out not just by his incredible and intuitive playing, but his professionalism and his frightening attention to detail throughout the whole process. Nobody I have ever worked with sends a more complete set of files; not just the drum tracks themselves, but fantastically mixed stereo pair options that allow me to just drop in a quick mix and keep the session going. I can't recommend him enough.

Interview with Mike Bennett

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: As much as try not to, I often get labeled into genres by particular clients. I'm fairly shy and try not to wear my resume on my sleeve so at times I can seem a little unknown. Credits are cool but you're only as good as what you are working on that day.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: There's a definite "jazz guy' in me that comes from my younger years where I worked primarily as a jazz drummer and also a latin percussionist. I always wanted to be a "pop guy" but post college kind of dropped me off in the jazz world. Thankfully soon after I landed my first big pop/rock gigs and I started being able to professionally work in a variety of genres. As of recent years I have been touring with a lot of the acclaimed "guitar shredders." It all comes in waves and has all added to my voice. I try to balance being both an artist and a craftsman. Knowing how and when to paint pictures or fences.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Everything from pop-rock tracks to R&B records & beyond. Keeps me fresh and excited. I never wanted to be the guy that does just one thing. I also spend a large amount of time work on film, television, podcast and multimedia projects. Everything has a different approach and needs.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I want to say listening & humility but that should be a prerequisite! That being said, I am very "Type-A" so probably my organizational management. I might just label files and folders better than I play!
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I like to think that I bring both creativity & functionality. Working for a wide variety of commercial & creative artists I've learned how to exercise humility and try to bring what I can to the big picture and end goal. It's all about flattering the song, artist, project, etc. I want them to be excited about their music. The creative process can be terrifying and also expensive! I want everyone to feel that they can be vulnerable and be safe along the way.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It's really simple. Once contacted I send the potential client a brief questionnaire to fill out which provides me a lot of the details from both a technical and vibe perspective. From there I communicate with client as much as need be to make sure we are on the same page before we move forward into the tracking process. After that it's pretty simple! Send me the track and I start recording. Once we both agree that the track is done then I return the multi-track files as well as stems and they are one step closer to a finished song!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I operate out of my studio in the Los Angeles, CA region. The room is designed with both sonics and workflow in mind. In addition to housing high-quality recording gear & instruments there are also plenty of options. I always want to have the proper gear to get the desired sound right away. The room is also set up for "Real Time Recording" so that my client(s) can actually participate in remote sessions as if they were in the room from wherever they are in the world via their computer, tablet or smartphone. There are multiple camera angles and the audio is straight from my console to their device. This has put the humanity and collaboration back into these distanced sessions (especially during COVID19) and also makes things faster and more efficient. The artist/producer can actually virtually attend the session and produce saving a lot of time on revisions. Easier communication and involvement means less compromise and takes the risk out of remote recording.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I have spent so many years on stage and in the studio crossing genres which has kept my career fresh and exciting. I have tried my best to never be "pigeonholed" into any one specific genre. As of the past many years I find myself researching and learning a lot from my favorite recording engineers and producers, learning how they get the sound, attitude & feel on their tracks that gives them an identity. Some of my favorites include Butch Walker, Vance Powell, Jacquire King, Greg Wells & many others.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: A large amount of my clients come to me to do all of the drumset, percussion and drum programming for a song. I take the time to make sure the entire rhythmic bed is working well together for the song and then I return clean "drop-in friendly" multi-tracks back to them via my secure server.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I did a live album with Richie Kotzen in Tokyo in 2015. We were really playing well and super connected during that timeline of touring. Really glad to have that period documented. That gig was really special to me and I will always be grateful to Richie for giving me a platform to really be myself and find my personal voice within his music.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I still balance a life in between the studio and touring but I have been excited to be able to spend more time at home making records, writing music for TV/Podcasts and playing with my cats... The past few years I have been on the road with Natasha Bedingfield, working on the Disney/ABC holiday specials and won a Webby for Best Score for my involvement in the Snatching Sinatra Podcast with John Stamos. Working with John is fun because he's a drummer as well!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. They each have their up sides and obstacles. I primarily work digital these days in order to have a flexible workflow and absolute recalls.That being said I still can't abandon my many racks of outboard gear!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I always want to flatter the song and the artist/project. I will always do my best to bring something to your project that makes you excited, proud and confident.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I have made music and friends all over the world. It doesn't get better than that to me.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be honest and detailed. The more information I have the better. Don't be afraid to be detailed and provide audio examples if available of the sounds and vibe you're hoping to achieve. Also, be mindful of the stems you're delivering. The cleaner and more organized they are the quicker and more efficient I can be!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Two SM57s, UA Apollo, any MIDI keyboard that washes up on the beach and a coffee maker...
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: 20 plus years now of many gigs, sessions & tours. I started my touring career young with Hilary Duff which led me to working my way around the pop music circuit with artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Natasha Bedingfield, Andra Day, Paulina Rubio & many others... I also spent a lot of years playing with a lot of the "guitar shredders." I am known in that world largely for my work with guys' like Steve Stevens, Billy Sheehan and for my decade long relationship as the drummer for Richie Kotzen. In addition to all of the sessions & tours as a drummer/percussionist, I have also kept an active career as a television composer working for networks such as ABC, DISNEY, DISCOVERY, LIFETIME, HALLMARK, FX & others and on television shows such as The Bachelor, Legit and Watch What Happens.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: A lot of questions regarding gear and influences. These are cool questions because it creates dialog between a client and I where we can build a relationship. I want to get to know more about my clients in the same way that they may want to get to know more about me.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Everything from tech specs to the vibe of the track/artist. I want to fit in with the clients feels and never ask them to work around me. Communication is everything...
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Nine Inch Nails, Fiona Apple, Depeche Mode & too many others in too many genres to list!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Develop a good workflow with checks and balances. When wearing many hats in your own studio make sure you don't move so fast that you miss something and are having to apologize for an avoidable technical issue. Be patient so that way your client gets what they need without any compromise. Fall in love with the details.