LARRY ABERMAN

GRAMMY winning DRUMS and PERC

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20 Reviews (11 Verified)
LARRY ABERMAN on SoundBetter

Hello! I'm a multiple Grammy award winner and have recorded and worked closely with producers Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards, Daniel Lanois, Bob Clearmountain, Russ Titleman and many others. I've been recording drums remotely since 1998. I've recorded albums for Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Sample, Ric Ocasek, David Lee Roth, Jeff Beal, Ben Harper, etc.

I love recording music! I was born in Center City Philadelphia, raised and cut my teeth in NYC, lived and worked in LA, did a Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas and am now in beautiful Nashville enjoying an eclectic and satisfying career. One day I'm recording modern country on Music Row and the next day swinging hard at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. With that said, since 1998, wherever I've been I've had my studio with me. Drumming and composing from my studio have been featured extensively in every medium possible: jingles, music libraries, documentaries, albums, song demos, show music, film, even the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. - Most importantly I truly believe rhythm and groove are number one. A song can have all the best notes in the world but if it doesn't feel great it means very little in the end. Great recordings all have great drum performances. The one thing I strive for most of all is finding that groove sweet spot in anything I'm recording. I look forward to helping you find that in your recorded performance. Please check out my 5 minute reel that features many different styles, artists and recording techniques with performances from my studio. Also check out a youtube playlist of some albums I've played on out in the field: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRX6xUtVHyLvjIPDlAqiAv0ym90d4wb96

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

20 Reviews - 3 Repeat Clients

Endorse LARRY ABERMAN
  1. Review by Francis L.
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    Larry gave my song the beat that it needed to wake it up. A very cooperative and professional fella!

  2. Review by Marco P.
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    Larry is a great guy, we've used his drumming skills several times and we've always been happy with the results despite the tight deadlines!

  3. Review by Andre
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    by Andre
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    Larry laid down an amazing Perc track for a new song in lightning-fast speed. I was absolutely blown away at how quickly he delivered these and how incredible everything sounds. He was also very easy to work with, and I will definitely work with him again on my next track. HIGHLY recommended!

  4. Review by Francis L.
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    Perfection in the beat. Larry plays for the song!

  5. Review by Francis L.
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    Larry has proven to be a versatile and very creative drummer. A joy to work with such a professional.

  6. Review by Marco P.
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    Communicated quickly and delivered the final recordings quickly. I sent over a demo drums and he caught the vision. Larry is great to work with!

  7. Review by Francis L.
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    Working with Larry was very refreshing! Not only is he an exceptional drummer but his humility and professionalism just made the session so amazing.

  8. Review by Judy Z.
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    It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Larry. He is very kind and professional!

  9. Review by Judy Z.
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    Larry's recording is awesome! He is such a professional drummer!

  10. Review by Marco P.
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    Larry is an excellent drummer, with outstanding sound quality in his recordings. He's a top pro and it showed once again on our second project together. He interprets well the style and beat that works with my songs. I like his attention to detail and swift delivery time.

  11. Review by Marco P.
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    Great job. Complete pro. Quick turnaround and great communication. Highly recommended.

  12. Review by Ben
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    by Ben

    It was an absolute pleasure to have Larry on my latest film score project. He is great to communicate with, immediately gets the style/sound/direction you're looking for, and delivers great sounding takes. Highly recommended!

  13. Review by Goffrey Moore
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    by Goffrey Moore

    Larry is “The Man”. He is the most well rounded drummer I know (and I know a lot of great drummers). He has recently given me drums for 2 drastically different projects. One project was a delicate Singer/ Songwriter, Jazz, Americana type thing. Larry nailed! Drum tones, tuning, his touch and dynamics with brushes… Awesome! The other project was more of an 80’s inspired feel. Imagine early U2 or War on Drugs. Again, Larry nailed it, tones touch, everything.

    Goffrey Moore

  14. Review by Niles Thomas
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    by Niles Thomas

    I’m blessed and honored to be working with Larry on our albums and live performances. As a songwriter and performer, it’s important for me to work with cats that can bring their true emotions, passion, and their own creativity to the tunes; and Larry does just that. Laying the grooves right in the pocket. Thank you, Brotha!
    Niles Thomas - Recording Artist / Entertainer

  15. Review by Jeff Coplan
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    by Jeff Coplan

    Larry is one of top drummers in the business last 30 years. I was so excited to find him on this platform and send him a track to play on. I was thrilled with what I got back. Great tones and his parts were unique yet just what the song needed. Did I mention the price? What a killer deal! Can’t wait for the next project to send him.

  16. Review by Alex Clements
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    by Alex Clements

    Larry is my goto for remote drum recordings. Always reliable, positive, and creative. He always puts a bit of himself into it. Thank you Larry!

  17. Review by Debbie Gibson
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    by Debbie Gibson

    I had the honor of working with Larry live in Las Vegas and called upon him when I was making my first ever holiday record remotely. Larry provided exactly what I needed in pocket and emotion and variations of fills and takes. I highly recommend calling upon this legendary musician for the highest caliber work and a great attitude along with it ! Debbie Gibson Recording Artist/ Entertainer

  18. Review by Phil Roy
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    by Phil Roy

    I’ve used Larry’s talent on remote recordings. The feel, the sound, the groove, the creativity - it’s all there. Totally professional. I would not hesitate to reach out to Larry for any of your drumming needs or wants. I only wish I could be in the same room with him making music.

  19. Review by Daniel Stein
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    by Daniel Stein

    Larry is one of the most complete drummers that I know. He is a master of a multitude of styles, giving every tune he plays on a passionate performance. In other words, Larry is the bomb!

  20. Review by Rhys James
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    by Rhys James

    Larry DELIVERS. He is a consummate professional, an excellent musician and a delight to work with.

    I hired Larry for 2 tracks and he performed beyond expectations on both. Fully recommend.

    Rhys from QUiET

Interview with LARRY ABERMAN

  1. Q: How would you describe your style?

  2. A: I’m known for having a strong pocket. Recording wise I thrive with backbeat oriented music. But often times I get hired to play a wide range of styles.

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

  4. A: Always wait for the moment when the project hits you in the face and you say to yourself YEAH! If I’m willing to work for that, it will come. I do my best not to settle.

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

  6. A: Groove! Groove is number one. It all starts there. I pride myself in my musicality and organic expression of a song. I truly play from my heart. There are so many tricks available with our studios these days but I focus on why I'm being called to play on something. Most people that hire me are looking for me, not stunts and edits. I can take a song to many different places, sonically, dynamically and timbre-ly. Part of the fun is the journey helping a composer find what best fits their music.

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

  8. A: Regarding remote recording, of course it starts with the song. It could be a simple email with a link to the musical file or a meeting with the composer over Zoom as I perform ideas for the track. Composers and collaborators that I've worked with for a while generally just send me things and tell me to hook it up. Very few words are needed. Other situations might need more care and focus on specifics. It's always different. After I record I'll send a quick mp3 with the drum performance mixed in and then we'll discuss for approval. If a revision is needed, that's included in the initial price I was hired for. If more revision or a revisit of the song is needed we'll discuss payment for that. When all is approved I'll send stems of the final performance. Usually it's 11 tracks of drums.

  9. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  10. A: I have a nice sounding medium sized room optimized to record drums and percussion. I get a very full and exciting sound at any volume or intensity. I have quality conversion, mics, drums and coffee. I'm good to go.

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

  12. A: Many of my contemporaries and friends inspire me. They're constantly looking for something new musically and sonically. Nile Rodgers, drummer Sterling Campbell and drummer Charley Drayton come to mind.

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

  14. A: The work I do in my studio runs a very wide range of musical styles. I thrive on that. Because of my diverse background and abilities it would be hard to find a common type of work that I do. Last week I recorded music for a PBS doc and this week I'm practicing Zappa's Black Page for a performance next week.

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12 song snippets from my studio featuring various artists and genres

I was the drummer and percussionist in this production

GenresSounds Like
  • Nile Rodgers
  • Joe Sample
  • Daniel Lanois
Gear Highlights
  • I'm DW and Zildjian endorser with a pretty extensive collection of vintage drums - Radio King
  • Black Beauty
  • Gretsch
  • Ludwig
  • etc.My studio features Apogee conversion
  • Brent Averil
  • Neve 1073 mic pres
  • quality mics and a great sounding room.
More Photos
More SamplesDrums
  • Social media!Sep 16, 2023

    Please follow me on Instagram @larryaberdrum and on Facebook for the most up to date news. 👍🏼