Alex Toff on SoundBetter

This is where you can get great sounding drums recorded quickly and efficiently, played exactly how you want them. Just send over your tracks and I will do the rest. My drumming style blends a deep sense of groove, high-energy performance and an incredibly tasteful approach to song playing.

Hi! My name is Alex Toff and over the years I've been called upon by a wide range of diverse artists, including A-ha, Imogen Heap, Belinda Carlisle, Mike Posner, Dashboard Confessional, Martha Wainwright and many more. I can cover many styles but focus mainly on Pop/Rock/Singer Songwriter genres. I have recorded all kinds of other styles too. I'm located just outside London and have been doing remote sessions here for many years. I have a purpose built studio that has been professionally designed and treated by renowned acoustician Nick Whitaker. The studio is the perfect location to capture a variety of vintage, modern and creative drum sounds for your project. I have a large variety of drums and cymbals and high end mics and can record up to 12 channels of audio. Please feel free to ask any questions and I hope to get recording on your project soon!!

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

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Alex Toff

Al Summers, Alex Toff, Matt Prior
Imogen Heap
Bareface
Bareface
Imogen Heap
Rachid Taha
Rachid Taha
a-ha
a-ha
Gareth Gates
Gareth Gates
Gareth Gates
Martha Wainwright
Belinda Carlisle
Belinda Carlisle
Leon Mar
Mike Posner (2)
Martine McCutcheon
Rick Parfitt
Rick Parfitt
Bonnie Tyler
Belinda Carlisle
Electrasy
Katie Melua
Michael Voss
Bonnie Tyler
A Flock Of Seagulls
A Flock Of Seagulls
Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler
A Flock Of Seagulls
a-ha
Rick Parfitt
Bonnie Tyler
Katie Melua

6 Reviews

Endorse Alex Toff

by Per L.
Verified
I can really recommend Alex, a very musical and professional drummer. He improved the flow and vibe of my song and plays with impeccable timing and feeling, adapting perfectly to the track I sent him. What I appreciate most is that he did the "right" things on the drums for my song, dynamically and with tasteful fills. Moreover, he delivered high quality files of the stems. Communication was easy and pleasant and the delivery excellent and fast. Top Notch!
by Robert F.
Verified
Love this dudes drumming. Great feel , Great sounds , Great groove. I was smiling the whole time listening to the drum tracks Alex laid down. Just solid for days. This is another go to for me.
by Iain Hornal
Alex Toff is a brilliant drummer, he plays with commitment, has a great energy and always serves the song. Plus he’s a lovely fella!
by Eric S
I can't recommend Alex highly enough!
Killer drumming and a real pleasure to work with. He is very flexible and wants the best for your song. Quick turn around, high quality recordings, he has delivered a fantastic performance on every single track I have had the chance to work on with him.
Again, I can only recommend and will definitely go to him again!
by Tom E Morrison
I always enjoy working with Alex Toff. On stage and in the studio he is a fantastic, versatile, dynamic, multi-genre drummer. He delivers brilliant sounding recordings from his own studio, is very happy to work to a detailed brief and also provides additional takes if needed. His friendly personality and positive vibes add to the experience.
by Si Mulvey
Alex, is my first call session drummer. I know that I'm going to get a top quality performance and top quality audio files. Alex offers a first class service with a quick turn around and is always happy to make any changes I might ask for. Highly recommended.

Interview with Alex Toff

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently recorded 8 tracks for a rock album. I just loved the music and it was fun to work with the client and producer. They seemed to like what I did! I just recorded drums but I took their demos and expanded on them and they were really happy with the results!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Just recorded 2 tracks for a synth/Zero 7 style production music album
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: There isn't I'm afraid
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both as they can work together
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To get exactly the part you want for your music
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Walking down my garden with a coffee and playing drums. It's the best!!!!
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: When can you get this done by?! And as long as I'm not on tour I say As soon as possible! Usually in the next day or so.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: As I said earlier, you can get the same results as being in the studio together remotely. Communication is key!!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Just what exactly do they want. Every client is different, some want exactly what's on the demo some don't mind and say do what you do.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: I think they can definitely get what they want from a remote session. I'm happy to do as many takes to get exactly what they need. You have to listen to exactly what they are after, as long as they can provide a good demo or if not to explain exactly the style etc they want for their music.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: If desert islands have electrical power.....My MacBook Pro, '68 Ludwig kit, Apollo, and Coles/mics! (I'm sure that's way more than 5 items but I've kind of grouped them together!!!!!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've always played the drums, even from a toddler. I just got out and played with as many different people as I could. Then I was recommended for different things by those people. You never know who is watching you either. I'd say 99% of anything I've ever done was from a recommendation. I went pro in 1996 and still doing it!!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Energy driven with feel and taste
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Another good question....there are so many! I don't have a specific artist. Just one of the people I listed above. Playing any of those songs with them would be an amazing feeling!!!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Mic placement!!!!! So important!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock, pop, singer songwriter, Indie and production music
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I think my musicality. Not overplaying, hopefully playing for the song.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I think (have been told) I am a very musical drummer. I listen to all the parts and then add the foundation to the song with energy, feel and a drum part that fits well with everything else.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to hear the demo drums and base my recording around that and then do some other takes to embellish that demo. I don't move too far from the demo (unless requested to) but like to put my feel/ideas etc on it to let the client hear something different.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use an Apollo (via Luna as my DAW) and have some Warm Audio Mic Pre's, Audient mic pre's and the ability to record 12 tracks of drums. I have Coles 4038 for O/heads and all the industry standard mics for drums. I have many cymbals and snares all based around a 1968 Ludwig Super Classic kit.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Oooh good question. Drum wise I'd say Dave Grohl, Steve Gadd, Aaron Sterling and many more of the greats! Music wise I'd say The Beatles, Steely Dan, Michael Brecker (I can listen to his solos all day long) and basically anything with a good tune!
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Usually, rock, pop, singer songwriter, Indie and production music.