Hybrid Drumming | Percussion | Remote Recording I specialize in blending acoustic drums, Latin & Middle Eastern percussion, and electronic elements into unique, high-quality tracks. Whether you need deep, organic grooves or cutting-edge hybrid sounds, I’ll craft custom rhythms that elevate your production. Let’s create the future of rhythm together
Hybrid Drumming – Where Tradition Meets Innovation
I’m Santi, a Hybriddrummer & percussionist with 15+ years of experience in fusing acoustic drums, Latin & Middle Eastern percussion, and electronic elements. My goal is to craft unique, dynamic rhythms that bring life to any track.
🎧 What I Offer:
✅ Custom drum & percussion recordings (Hybrid, Latin, Arabic, )
✅ Organic grooves with authentic world percussion
✅ Hybrid setups combining acoustic & electronic elements
✅ High-quality sound from my fully equipped studio
💡 What makes my sound unique?
I specialize in cultural crossover rhythms – combining Darbuka, Cajón, Congas, Frame Drums, and drum kits with cutting-edge hybrid drumming techniques. Whether you need cinematic textures, deep percussive grooves, or high-energy beats, I create rhythm solutions that stand out.
🚀 Let’s craft the perfect groove for your project!
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Credits
Languages
- English
- German
- Italian
Interview with Santino Scavelli
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: One of my proudest projects was my collaboration with Annika Nilles, where I performed and recorded a hybrid percussion setup for a dynamic fusion piece. I crafted intricate grooves blending acoustic and electronic elements, showcasing my signature hybrid drumming approach. The performance was later featured at the UK Drum Show, marking a milestone in my career.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: "I'm currently working on a mix of projects, including hybrid drum recordings for various artists, a workshop on hybrid setups, and new content for my studio, DrumHub. Always exploring new sounds and creative collaborations!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I collaborate with top musicians and producers, and I’m happy to recommend professionals based on your project’s needs. Let me know what you're looking for, and I can connect you with the right talent!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both! Analog brings warmth, depth, and organic feel, while digital offers precision and endless creative possibilities. I blend both to create dynamic, expressive grooves that feel natural yet modern.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to deliver high-quality, expressive drum and percussion tracks tailored to your vision. With attention to detail, versatility, and pro-grade sound, I ensure grooves that elevate your music and bring it to life.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the creative process—bringing rhythm to life and shaping a song’s feel with dynamic grooves. Blending acoustic and electronic percussion allows me to push boundaries and create unique, expressive textures.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Common Questions & My Answers: "How long does it take to get my tracks?" ➝ Standard turnaround is 5–7 days, but I can accommodate urgent requests if needed. "Can I request revisions?" ➝ Yes! I offer 2 free revisions to make sure the track fits your vision perfectly. "Do you provide raw stems or processed tracks?" ➝ Both! You’ll receive high-quality WAV files, either dry or with processing, depending on your needs. "Can you match the feel of a reference track?" ➝ Absolutely! Just send me a reference, and I’ll craft a groove that fits the vibe of your song. "Do you only record live drums, or can you also program beats?" ➝ I do both! I specialize in live hybrid drumming and custom-programmed beats for different genres.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: The biggest misconception is that drumming is just about keeping time. In reality, it's about shaping the song’s feel, adding texture, dynamics, and emotion. A well-arranged groove can completely transform a track.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I ask clients: What’s the style and mood of your track? Do you have reference tracks or specific grooves in mind? What instrumentation do you need—drums, percussion, or hybrid setup? Are there any specific sonic textures or effects you want? What’s the deadline and preferred file format for delivery?"
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know your vision! Provide clear references, preferred styles, and any specific groove ideas. Communication is key—share details about the energy, feel, and dynamics you want. Trust the process, and let’s create something unique!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Meinl Percussion Frame Drum – versatile for rhythms and melodies Tama Starclassic Snare – for crisp, expressive grooves Moog DFAM – for endless rhythmic inspiration Zoom H6 Recorder – to capture island sounds and create beats
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I studied percussion in Trossingen and at the Popakademie Mannheim, focusing on hybrid drumming and world percussion. With over a decade of experience, I’ve worked as a performer, recording artist, and musical director, collaborating with top musicians and brands.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style is a fusion of hybrid drumming, blending acoustic percussion with electronic elements. Versatile and dynamic, I draw from jazz, world music, and groove-based rhythms to create unique, expressive textures.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I’d love to work with Björk or Jacob Collier – both push musical boundaries with innovative soundscapes. Their experimental approach to rhythm and texture aligns perfectly with my hybrid drumming and percussion style.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Layering acoustic and electronic percussion adds depth and groove to a track. Blend organic textures with subtle electronic elements to create a rich, dynamic rhythm that enhances the overall feel of the music
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I work across a wide range of genres, including jazz, fusion, world music, pop, and electronic.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is my versatility in drumming and percussion. I seamlessly blend acoustic and electronic elements, adapting to various styles with dynamic grooves, musical depth, and creative precision.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a unique blend of hybrid drumming, dynamic grooves, and world percussion influences.I craft expressive, high-quality rhythms that enhance any track with depth, energy, and creativity.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I start by discussing the client’s vision, style, and references. Then, I record high-quality drum and percussion tracks in my studio, using my hybrid setup. After an initial preview, I offer up to 2 revisions to refine the performance before delivering the final WAV files.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: "My studio is equipped for high-quality drum and percussion recordings, featuring: Drum Kits (Tama & Evans Endorser): Gretsch Jazz (18" Bass), Sonor Fusion (20" Bass), Classic Performance Birch (22" Bass), DDrum Maple Hard Rock (24" Bass) Snare Collection: Tama SLP, Pearl Piccolo, Gretsch Maple, Dieter Super Maple, Ludwig Supraphonic & Black Beauty Percussion (Meinl Endorser): Darbuka, Riq, Frame Drums, Congas, Djembé, Canjira, Davul & more Cymbals (Meinl Endorser): A diverse selection for Jazz, Rock & Hybrid setups Analog Gear: Roland R8, Moog DFAM, Syncussion Microphones: Audix Studio Elite 8 Drumcase (D6, i5, ADX51, SCX25A, D4, D2, D-Vice) Audix A231, Micro D, ADX 60, CX212B Preamps & Interfaces: SPL GoldMike Mk2, Warm Audio WA273, WA412, MOTU 828 AVB, Soundcraft UI24R, Flexible Recording Space: Live room + isolated control room, customizable backgrounds (greenscreen, stone, colored backdrops) Perfect for professional drum tracks, hybrid percussion, and beat production!"**
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I'm inspired by Jojo Mayer, Annika Nilles, Antonio Sánchez, Airto Moreira, Manu Katché, Tony Allen, and Rahni Krishna for their innovation in drumming, groove concepts, and hybrid percussion approaches.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I provide professional live drum and percussion recordings, specializing in hybrid setups that blend acoustic and electronic elements. My work includes custom drum tracks, world percussion, and beat production for various genres.
- Live drum trackAverage price - $125 per song
- PercussionAverage price - $70 per song
- Beat MakerAverage price - $100 per song
- Recording StudioAverage price - $150 per day
- Programmed drumAverage price - $150 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $200 per song
- Sound DesignAverage price - $100 per minute
Pro drum/percussion tracks with 2 revisions. 50% deposit, full payment before delivery. WAV files included. Turnaround: 5-7 days. No refunds after work starts. Full rights upon payment.
- Hybrid dru& perc: Darbuka
- Riq
- Frame Drums
- Congas
- Djembé & more. Drum kits: Gretsch
- Sonor
- Tama
- Ludwig. Snares: Tama
- Pearl
- Ludwig. Cymbals for Jazz/Rock/Hybrid. Analog gear: Roland R8
- Moog DFAM. Pro studio setup with Audix
- UA
- Neve
- SLP.
🎧 Exclusive Deal for SoundBetter Visitors! 🎧 🔥 10% OFF your first live drum or percussion recording! 📀 Bundle Discount – Book 3 tracks, get 1 FREE! ⚡ Fast turnaround: 5-7 days 💎 High-quality WAV stems included 👉 Limited-time offer –