Studio and live Drummer

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: With todays technology, it is probably the most difficult question to answer and is purely a personal choice, depending on everyones pocket and how much one can afford. Recording on tape definitely sounds warmer & fatter, especially for drums. Editing and recording with todays software is of course much easier and also sounds good, If you feed the machines with the right signals and mix it right and not only use plugins and compress it to death. You may as well want to use vintage outboards and analog console when you mix, the goodies that sound right and you will hear the difference. Analog recorders recorded Music and digital only codes, therefore a lot has gone missing. Unfortunately our hearing has been literally destroyed and manipulated by the sound of MP3´s and hard compressed low quality sound files. If you don´t know, you can´t really understand the difference of a high end recording anymore!

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

A: A tin cup (sounds good and is useful), a knife, hunting and diving gear, a bottle of Rum, my guitar and a pen and paper to write. Ooops, that was more than 5 ..... .

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Rule I: It usually sounds right when it feels right! Rule II: Don't get too attached to what you have programmed and expect the same turnout from the real man! :) ...unless it´s really good! Rule III: Never punch in too much, unless it´s necessary and you seek the impossible. Rule IV: Never gate the snare and make sure you have a good Overhead or Room mic sound!! Rule IV: Be humble with triggers and beat detectives, they can easily make ones performance sound dead and stiff.

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

A: Mainly Rock, Hard Rock and Metal. Over the years I carved a stone here, although I am very influenced by the masters of 70´s jazz rock, progressive, fusion and classic rock players. Lately I've also done a few pop songs.....

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: What the song needs, musical approach, smart and tight playing, groove, dynamics and a good sound to mix easy. I always ask the clients expectations beforehand and try to fulfil their request best as possible.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It is quite simple, it´s a 32sqm big room with an 11 feet high ceiling, which is also used for rehearsals. I use the best drums in the world, a Tama Starclassic B/B and a variety of selected Snare Drums, Evans drum heads and a fine selection of mic pre´s by Neve and API and a fine selection of UA plugins, Microphones mainly Shure 52´s, 81´s, 91´s, KSM 32´s, 56 and 57´s, Sennheiser M441, 421N´s on the toms and vintage AKG 451 & Neumann Mics.

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

A: It´s awesome to have worked with the Scorpions, I´m stoked to have been their only choice in 2014 to step in for their drummer during difficult times. I very much enjoyed the two releases with UK band Tainted Nation in 2014 and 2016. Great music, great band, so much energy and talent. Tower of Babel´s "Lake of fire" takes me back to the early Rainbow years which I also fancy. The CD was released in 2017 and now we´re recording a new album. www.towerofbabelrock.com I am also very proud to have gone such a long way with God´s Army since 2005, however our first release was in 2014 (recorded in 2005), in 2018 the magnificent "Demoncracy", available on Vinyl green/black and CD www.godsarmymusic.net and our latest "Warriors of the wasteland", released in 2021 on CD and as we speak now also available on Vinyl in black or in limited red! It was also a massive experience to have worked with the "Vivaldi Metal Project" www.vivaldimetalproject.com....... And there is much much more....check it out on my website ... mcross.com

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently mixing the new Joe Stump´s Tower of Babel album on an SSL board, one of my main bands. In a few weeks I´ll start recording drums for NWOBHM pioneers Tank and Iron Maiden´s first singer Paul Di´anno and in December I will continue working on my solo project Ocean´s Eye. I´ve also just received the long awaited vinyl (9 months only) of God´s Army "Warriors of the wasteland". It has finally been printed in red. Yes, A COLLECTORS ITEM!

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

A: I've already worked with many greats, but sadly know that many of my favs have gone. I would definitely enjoy a session with Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Neil Schon, Richie Blackmore, Steven Tyler and Geddie Lee!!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Groovy, powerful, dynamic, heavy, creative, tight, musical, progressive, pocket groove, technical

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The playing, the creativity, the communication and working on new beats and sounds, listening to new ideas and recording with new artists. Every new production just opens my mind.

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

A: It all started in the 70´s when I was given a pair of sticks at six, I got my first kit at 9 and followed an honest and devoted path into drumming, I am self taught and played along to the records of my favourites, Billy Cobham, The Stones, The Beatles, Genesis, Rush, Return to forever, Deep Purple, Zeppelin, ToTo, The Scorpions, Maiden, Priest ..... In ´84 I got my first recording job and learned how the big boys recorded back in the day! Very interesting and very different from how it´s done today. Piece of cake with all that technology. I respect the old ways and try to avoid as much as I can the copy/paste mentality, as long as it´s not necessary, meaning being under time pressure etc... ..... Since 1987 I´ve been drumming professionally as a recording and live artist and have toured and recorded in many parts of the world with some very interesting people.

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

A: Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, John Bonham, Ian Paice, Simon Philipps, Neil Peart, Buddy Rich, Cozy Powell, Tommy Aldridge, Nicko Mc Brain, Pierre Moerlen, Phil Collins, Pat Torpey and the magnificent Brian Downey

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: The groove, dynamics, click tight, energetic and powerful drum fills.

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

A: Online and remote drumming upon the clients request. I also accept live work and travel to other locations to record.

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

A: Sometimes it´s just never good enough, but the greater expectations do come with higher rates, yet again, my job will be done in the best way I can.

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

A: Although I´m new to SoundBetter, I´ve had good experience working with SoundBetter clients. There are many capable people on this portal and am always happy to recommend the right player, producer or engineer for the right job.

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

A: You´ll get what you pay for and the job will always be done!

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

A: Are you available to play on my album? Hey, it'll be my pleasure!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What feel, vibe, & sounds are you looking for? Do you have a reference song that may help? Are you open to suggestions?

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

A: You always get what you pay for! Know what you want, but also be prepared for greater turnouts.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I receive the files, check the clicks and work on the arrangements and then record! When the first take is done, I´ll consult with the client if it meets his expectations. We´ll discuss details and changes and then go for main recording incl. three revisions and hope the client will be satisfied. Good communication is essential.