C Roberts Percussion on SoundBetter

15 yr session and live musician specializing in drum set and percussion.

With more than 20 years of recording and live experience and 15 years as a session musician, I can provide your project with that live feel it is missing.
I have an assortment of drum and percussion gear and the recording equipment required to give you multitrack recording and a series of takes to choose from.
Communication is key in giving your project the feel and sound you want and need and I will work with you through every step along the way.
My turn around is usually less than 3 days, if it will take more, then I will be upfront about the time required to complete the track.
My current rate is $150 per song and that includes up to 3 re-takes. I return tracks as .wavs and they are usually raw with no processing so you can effect them as you see fit, though I can play with some processing if you would like.
Let’s work together to make some fantastic music!

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

Credits

2 Reviews

Endorse C Roberts Percussion

by Dave
I had the privilege of playing bass in a band with Chris for several years. As a drummer his technical proficiency and innovation to create drums parts is of the highest caliber; as a band mate and friend his personality is enthusiastic, supportive and flexible. He is a team player with the skills to elevate any project to the next level, and I am a better musician for having worked with him!
by Jordan Cooper
I am a songwriter who has been collaborating with Chris for 15 years. He was in my band back in NYC, and these days he's the number 1 person I go to when I need drums e-mailed over. I'm in awe of his skill and abilities, and his incredible talent in being able to do exactly what is right for the song, both in ways I was hoping for and ways I never could have expected. He makes my songs so much better and adds so much complexity and rhythmic depth (and fun and excitement!) to them. Check out I Won't Be There by Trouble's Afoot as a perfect example. Easily the best drummer I've ever worked with.

Interview with C Roberts Percussion

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: You will receive your tracks in a timely manor, that they meeting all of your needs and, hopefully, all of your desires.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Working with creatives to make new, interesting, and heartfelt art.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Hows it going? Better now that I'm making music with you!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Drummers only cares about the drums.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are you looking for in a drum track? Do you have a demo of the track? If no, once you send over the track(s)/session file, do you want me to send you what I'm thinking for the track? How does what you're thinking and what I'm thinking line up and how flexible are you with what you're hearing on the track?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Please record to a click or have the click mapped to the track. Its not a deal-breaker but it is a time saver.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been playing music most of my life, since I was around 3. I started playing drum set at 18 when my punk band, which I played guitar in, couldn't find a drummer who could play better than me (I thought I sucked). I then went away to study physics but realized I didn't work on math in my spare time, I learned entire albums. So I moved to Gainesville, Fl to play with friends and started studying classical percussion at UF. After graduation, I went to New York City to study at the Collective School of Music for all things drum set. After that, I moved to Los Angeles and maintained a strong playing, recording, and teaching schedule since 2009.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Make sure the performance of your track is solid. An excellent performance is where everything begins.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I've worked in rock, pop, funk, jazz, electronic, classical, movie scores, and many of these umbrella genres' sub-genres.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Being a good listener and being open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Time, feel, the correct intensity, creativity, playing the right part for the song, staying out of the way while giving the needed foundation that brings the rest of the track alive.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: After I am contacted by a potential client, I have the tracks sent to me. Then there are a number of questions regarding what the client wants from the drums: what are they hearing regarding drums and whether there is room for my suggestions/thoughts. Generally, I provide the client with raw .wav drum tracks that they can then process as they see fit. Like if they want the snare distorted, phased, or the actual sounds replaced with samples, etc. I can also play with these things if the client desired. After getting an idea of what is wanted, I lay down a "basic track" and after a small bit of processing, ask the client for notes. I repeat the above last step until the client is happy with the result, usually this takes sending 3 or fewer takes.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Current set up: Logic X Focusrite Clarett 8pre Various Shure, Audix, sE, and AKG mics I send back the following .wav tracks: kick - AKG D112 snare top - Shure SM57 snare bottom - Shure SM58 rack tom - Audix D2 floor tom - Audix D4 OH L - sE7 OH R - sE7 Either hi hats OR Room - sE X1 A Working on getting more mic pres and mics
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am inspired by musicians who create new and interesting things, play from their heart, take their craft seriously but are able to inject fun into the music.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I am usually hired to record for a client in a studio, in my home studio, or learn and play their songs live.