Credits include Zac Brown, Hunter Hayes, Brian Kelley and Brett Eldredge. Nashville-based drummer Caleb Gilbreath here. I want to use my background in audio engineering, as well as extensive experience in touring and session drumming, to bring your music to life!
My experience begins with a degree in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music. My audio background has provided me with a foundation of skills that allow me to deliver high-quality sound, delivered as neat, contiguous .wav files to make make integration into your session a simple process.
Since moving to Nashville in 2011, my more notable studio/touring credits include country artist Zac Brown (for his pop band Sir Rosevelt), Brian Kelley (of FGL), Hunter Hayes, Brett Eldredge, and Gabby Barrett. Other credits include a wide range of country, pop, CCM, and Americana artists: Grammy-nominee Sierra Hull, Michael Ray, Gloriana, Charlie Worsham, Maddie and Tae, Clare Dunn, Jenn Bostic, and many more.
My setup includes an array of industry-standard microphones (Shure SM 57s and KSM 137s, AKG 214s, Sennheiser 421s), two Universal Audio x8p interfaces with multiple outboard preamps, and Pro Tools, fully outfitted with UAD, Steven Slate and Waves plugins as well as Maschine for custom drum loop programming. Also including a wide inventory of drums, cymbals, and percussion toys to compliment any style. My focus, above all, is to serve the song!
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Credits
42 Reviews - 10 Repeat Clients
Endorse Caleb Gilbreath
check_circleVerifiedCaleb is the best in the business as far as I am concerned. He's spot on and has incredible instincts as a player. Tasteful and beautiful drum tracks as always. Thanks man!
check_circleVerifiedThis is my second time using Caleb for drums on a country track. Just like the first go around, he delivered exactly what I needed and them some! My new go-to-guy for country drums. Highly recommend.
check_circleVerifiedAmazing Job, Caleb!
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Caleb hits it every time pun intended! So crazy talented and knows exactly what the song needs.Thanks for making my track sound amazing.
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Caleb absolutely blew my expectations out of the water! This is was my first experience hiring a remote drummer and it was for a song that we've been struggling to find the right drums for. Provided him some references and he did the rest. He went above and beyond. Totally inline with our vision and took our track to the next level. Will be using his services again.
check_circleVerifiedGreat experience with Caleb as always.
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This is the second song Caleb has played drums on for me. He has always done a great job and has consistently helped to elevate the songs I've given him to a higher level. I am appreciative of his work.
check_circleVerifiedQuick and professional! Thank you Caleb!
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As always an incredible experience and performance by the amazing and talented Caleb Gilbreath. Thanks!
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Caleb has worked on 4 songs so far and is the best drummer I have ever worked with. Fast and a top notch player. Thanks Caleb!
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Caleb did a great job playing drums on my song. Brought great energy to the song. Thank you!
check_circleVerifiedFantastic job from Caleb again. Exactly what I asked for. Great performance. Would definitely recommend! Thank you.
check_circleVerifiedCaleb knocked it out of the park! Was exactly what I was looking for. Super friendly guy and a killer drummer. Definitely plan on working with him again.
check_circleVerifiedIncredible feel and groove
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As always amazing job and quick turnaround.
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Really impressed with Caleb. He understood the details of our request and executed the tracks very quickly. The patterns and fills are right on and fit the song completely. The overall quality of the drum sound he delivered is excellent. Cheer to Caleb !!!
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Great to work with. Super talented and delivers at the highest level. Thank you Caleb
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Extremely happy with the drum track Caleb provided. Exactly what I was looking for. Very quick turnaround with a high quality sound and performance. Thank you!
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Great performances and audio quality every time
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Kills it every time
Interview with Caleb Gilbreath
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: First, I listen to the song! Then, I typically start with playing a full kit, to dive right into getting a full sound, then ornament with loops and percussion. Sometime's that's not the move though. Sometimes I might program a loop to play along to, for added inspiration, or start with some simple percussion to get the vibe going. I always start with listening, then I let inspiration take it from there.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My mic/drum setup varies from song to song, but a typical mic/input list would look like this 1. Kick In - Beta 52 2. Kick Out- Subkick 3. Snare Top- SM57 4. Snare Bottom- SM57 5. Hi Hat- Shure KM81 6. Tom 1- Sennheiser 421 7. Tom 2- 421 8. Tom 3- 421 9-10. Stereo OH- KSM 137 11-12. Stereo Room- Cascade Fathead I have an array of Pearl, Ludwig, and Barton drums, a near endless stack of Zildjian cymbals, and no shortage of shakers, tambourines, hand drums, toys that make interesting sounds, whatever I need to make cool sounds.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I like drummers and producers who play without ego. It's not about having the coolest drum part (though it's always fun when you get one!), it's about drawing focus to the lyric and emotion behind the song. Aaron Sterling is one of my biggest influences in the drum world because of this approach
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: In short, I play drums on records. This can mean anything from programming pop and hip-hop style loops, laying down big huge drums on a rock song, playing that one brush part that makes your Americana song pop, or doing it all at once on the same song! Whatever the song needs, I've got the gear and the experience to make it happen.
I was the Drummer in this production
- Live drum trackAverage price - $150 per song
- Programmed drumAverage price - $100 per song
- PercussionAverage price - $70 per song
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $50 per track
- Time alignment - QuantizingAverage price - $50 per track
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $300 per song
Typical turn-around time is 1-3 days, 2-3 revisions allowed (initial communication about vibe/parts will minimize revisions).
- Pearl Drums
- Zildjian Cymbals
- Evans Drumheads
- Shure SM57s
- Shure KSM 137s
- Sennheiser 421s
- AKG 214s
- UA x8p
- Pro Tools
- Steven Slate Trigger
- Waves Plugins
