Max van Dijk on SoundBetter

Hi, my name is Max van Dijk and I'm a professional session drummer from The Netherlands. I've been playing drums for over 20 years. I have extensive experience both on stage and in the studio, playing and recording drums for all sorts of artists. I aim to celebrate creativity and inspire others to do the same! I'd love to record for you!

Music is my passion, and for me, it’s the most enjoyable thing there is, whether I’m playing or listening. It fills me with endless enthusiasm, and I strive to share that same excitement with both the audience and the artists I work with. To me, music represents freedom, originality, and individuality—finding your unique voice and expressing it in the most authentic way.

I graduated from the Conservatory of Haarlem in 2024 and have been drumming since the age of four, evolving into a versatile musician. I tour with various bands across diverse styles, including Pol, Daisy Bellis, and The Cruz & The Dukes of Harlem. Additionally, I work as a drummer for projects such as The Young Analogues and musicals like The Bodyguard.

I'm looking forward to creative interfacing with great musical minds, either in person or across the world!

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

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Max van Dijk

MOYO
Pol (29)
The Cruz & The Dukes Of Harlem
The Cruz & The Dukes Of Harlem
The Cruz & The Dukes Of Harlem
High On Chai

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Interview with Max van Dijk

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I've been working with lots of different artists and producers. They have a song, EP or album and I provide the drumtracks and percussion.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm working on producing and recording an EP for an artist. I'm also playing live with multiple artists.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both, whatever suits the song.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Inspire others
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Is there a song or artist you have for reference?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know what sound/feel/vibe you want and know how to tell it to the one you're hiring.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Kick drum, snare drum, hi-hat, floor tom and drumsticks.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Drumming, playing shows, recording, studying, touring. I've been doing this for 21 years now, since I'm 4 years old.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: All sorts of. Lately it's been rock 'n roll, folk and new-wave.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Organic and dynamic drum sounds.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I start by listening to the song and any reference tracks or artists a few times to get a feel for the vibe. Then I prepare my setup to match the sound I'm going for. I’ll jam along with the track a few times to figure out the parts I want to play. After that, I listen back to check if both the sound and performance feel right. If anything needs adjusting, I’ll tweak the setup or change the parts until everything sits perfectly. Once I’m happy with it, I record the final takes. If the client wants options, I sometimes record two different takes with a slightly different feel or approach.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio is always on standby, fully set up and ready to record. I’ve got a variety of microphones, so I can dial in the best setup for each session, depending on the vibe and character of the song I’m working on. The signal runs through high-end Audient preamps before being captured in Logic Pro. When it comes to drums, I’ve got a range of kits to work with, both modern and vintage, plus a big selection of snares and cymbals. Each one brings its own unique sound, giving me plenty of options to craft the right sound every time.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Aaron Sterling, Tamino, Jay Bellerose, Jack Antonoff, St. Vincent.