Mark Cross-Drum Dungeon Studio

Studio and live Drummer

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6 Reviews
Mark Cross-Drum Dungeon Studio on SoundBetter

Professional live & studio drummer, who has worked with many international artists such as The Scorpions (DE), Firewind (GR), Helloween (DE), Joe Lynn Turner (US), Tank (UK), Kingdom Come (DE/US), Joe Stump´s Tower of Babel (USA) and many more.

I am an experienced studio and live musician and can record the drums for you on your album, song or production. I can fly in wherever you like or record out of my Studio and deliver top sounding drum files upon your request, tight & dry to huge fat analog sounding drums.

You can also hire me for live work on tours and gigs worldwide.
I love being on the road and in the studio recording, making each song sound great!
I've recorded in many studios all over the world with known engineers and producers on 58 released albums.

Please send me your files or rough mixes and I´ll add my drums to them. We can discuss the vibe and sounds you like and when I´m done, you´ll get an MP3 and we´ll discuss further.
On completion I'll send you all individual drum tracks and a stereo drum mix if required.

GEAR:

DRUMS
Tama Starclassic B/B custom drums
2x22" & 2x24" Bass Drums
8" Ludwig Coliseum Maple Snare
6" Tama SLP Walnut Snare
6" Tama B/B Snare
3.5" Yamaha Brass Piccolo Brass
10", 12", 14" Toms
16", 18" Floor Toms
20" Gong drum
Low pitch Octoban set
6", 8", 10" Remo Roto Toms
10", 12" Remo Timbales
Zildjian, Sabian & Paiste Cymbals

E DRUMS
Roland

MICS
Shure, Sennheiser, AKG, Neumann, Royer, Beyer Dynamics, Warm Audio, Neumann

RECORDING
MAC
UA Apollo x8p & 8p
180 UA Plugins
Midas DL16
Warm Audio, Neve pre amps
Logic, Cubase
Focal Monitors

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

6 Reviews

Endorse Mark Cross-Drum Dungeon Studio
  1. Review by Mistheria
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    I've been working in studio and live with Mark in several productions, he's an awesome professional musician and wonderful person to work with. Amazing knowledge and huge experience make his work just TOP level!

  2. Review by Hans A Dokka
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    by Hans A Dokka

    Mark is one helluva powerhouse drummer and pro to the bone. Groove and sound is perfect and to top it all Mark is a great person....

  3. Review by Ian
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    by Ian

    Mark is a pro in every respect. His vast experience is audible on everything he’s involved in. If you want your drums to sound powerful and more importantly ‘REAL!’, then he’s your man!

  4. Review by Vitalis K.
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    Mark recorded drums for my solo album's song "Fire and water". Super sound and highest level. I recommend for all!🤘🤘🤘

  5. Review by Marcello
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    You cannot go wrong with Mark!
    With a track record like his, you have a guarantee of a monster rock groove that ranks with the best in the world!

  6. Review by N I c Angileri
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    Mark Cross is the groove itself! I was delighted recording the Tower of Babel songs. His tracks in forms and shapes were crafted in the Rock groove. Every single hit was just perfect. Call him to get the best. As a person he's the nicest guy to work with. N I c Angileri

Interview with Mark Cross-Drum Dungeon Studio

  1. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  2. 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!

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

  4. 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 ..... .

  5. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  6. 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.

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

  8. 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.....

  9. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  10. 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.

  11. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  12. 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.

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

  14. 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

  15. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  16. 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!

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

  18. 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!!

  19. Q: How would you describe your style?

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

  21. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  22. 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.

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

  24. 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.

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

  26. 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

  27. Q: What's your strongest skill?

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

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

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

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

  32. 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.

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

  34. 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.

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

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

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

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

  39. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

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

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

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

  43. Q: What's your typical work process?

  44. 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.

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Tainted Nation - On the outside

I was the Drummer in this production

Terms Of Service

Three revisions, additional percussion costs tbc. Project delivery normally in 3-5 Business days if I´m not too busy of course.

GenresSounds Like
  • The Scorpions
  • Kingdom Come
  • Nickelback
Gear Highlights
  • Endorsements: Tama
  • Evans
  • D´addario
  • Vic Firth
  • Kelly Shu Systems
  • Warm Audio
More Photos
  • Joe Stump´s TOWER OF BABELJan 28, 2022

    Tower of Babel towerofbabelrock.com have entered the studio for their second album. Mark will start recording the drums on February 1, 2022.

  • God´s Army releases new albumJan 28, 2022

    God´s Army godsarmymusic.net releases new album "Warriors of the wasteland" on October 2, 2021.
    You can listen and download it digitally on https://godsarmymusic.bandcamp.com/releases 
    CD´s can be purchased on mcross.com or via email order shop@mcross.com 

  • Vivaldi Metal Project announce tour dates in 2019!!Feb 02, 2019

    Mark joined the multi mass symphonic metal project VMP in September and October 2018 playing their first band shows with 12 Musicians on stage in Bulgaria Plovdiv and Avezzano Italy.
    New dates in 2019 have been announced in Sofia BG at the Mixtape 5 on March 22, 2019 and at Dokkem Festival in the Netherland on June 29th, 2019!

  • God´s Army release second album "Demoncracy" on October 12, 2018Feb 02, 2019

    Featuring Mark Cross on drums, GA released their new album "Demoncracy" on ROAR! Digipack CD, limited Vinyl in green and regular black. Also available on iTunes and Amazon..... www.godsarmymusic.net 

  • Tower of Babel, USA, IT; UKNov 16, 2016

    TOB was created by American Guitar virtuoso Joe Stump.


    I recorded half the album in Sweden at Pontus Egberg´s Studio and the rest at the DD in 2015. 
    If you love old Rainbow and Malmsteen material, you will find this very interesting. Fantastic album!
    Released in 2017 by Lion Music. Have a look .... https://www.facebook.com/TOBRock

  • Vivaldi Metal ProjectNov 15, 2016

    I recorded the drums on "Grande Madre" in 2015, sounds massive. Check it out on http://www.vivaldimetalproject.com, which has been released in 2016 by Pride & Joy Music.

  • God´s ArmyNov 14, 2016

    God´s Army started working on their second CD and I´ll start adding drums in December. Massive .....