After you have your drums sounding and looking good, great sounding drums ultimately still comes down to you. Even before you set up the mics and hit that record button, it is important to prepare for the session. The following is a guest post by recording engineer, Matt Montoro. Matt owns and operates Third Stream Music & Design in Thornburg, VA and offers recording, artist development and web design. Here are five important things to practice and know to successfully prepare for a session.
1. Learn to Play to a Click
I know what you’re going to say. “But, the song needs to move with the feel…” or “it supposed to slow down or speed up here…” While these arguments may have merit at some times, the fact remains that most songs are designed and expected to have a consistent tempo and more often than not it is the failure of the time keeper that prevents this. If the song is supposed to ritardando or accelerando, these should be structured and precise. Learning to and, furthermore, being comfortable playing to a click track allows for a tighter rhythm section and believe it or not will help your playing tremendously. While slight tempo changes over the course of the song can be unnoticeable and arguably beneficial to the song, a much more common issue with drummers in the studio is coming in early after fills, through transitions, and other key moments which are translated on tape as sloppiness. Drummers that tend to rush these areas will suddenly find a little more time to fit in their fills and technique when playing to a click.
2. Lay Back
Unless you are Neil Peart or Dennis Chambers (which you are not), a tasteful solid drum beat is always preferred to a flashy cacophony of 64th notes. Do not do a drum fill after every measure; instead, use slight rhythmic changes and or variances to make your beat unique and memorable. Create a drum beat and pattern that is consistent and best serves the song not your drum instructor or ego. While you may not be lauded as the next solo drum star, you will gain the respect and appreciation of producers, songwriters, and band mates everywhere.
3. Write and Practice Your Fills
Sitting in the recording studio at $65 an hour is not the time to try out that new six-tom four-beat thunderous, awe inspiring drum fill you’ve been contemplating in your head. Practice each drum fill to a click and in reference to song to make sure that the fill is not rushed or dragging and is beneficial to the song and not just a ‘look at me’ thing.
4. Use dynamics
Remember those? The variances of loudness and softness in music… ah, I miss those. If you always practice with headphones to your favorite grind-core metal group, chances are you play at one dynamic: LOUD. Dynamics will invariable help the feel of a song as well as enable you to get a multitude of sounds out of your drums. From pianississimo to fortissimo, practice utilizing a wide range of dynamics to better your playing and give yourself more versatility in live and recording situations.
5. Make sure you and the bassist are synced up
Nothing will help more with the tightness and solidarity of a music group than having the bass notes perfectly lined up with the kick drum. This will also force you as a drummer to have a consistent kick pattern and excellent time which are crucial elements to good recordings as well.
Bottom line is, don’t be the standard drummer joke: a guy that hangs around with musicians. Work on your craft perfecting every aspect, respect the song, show up on time, and don’t be a lazy, argumentative drunk. All instruments, including the drums (which are a critical element of recording), are there primarily to serve the song. Make it so.
© 2012 Travis Whitmore - Silverlake Studio | All Rights Reserved | Finely Crafted by