Hearing protection at rehearsals without losing the band mix
Standard foam plugs protect hearing but can make rehearsals feel muffled, which tempts musicians to remove them or play harder. Filtered musician plugs are a better long-…
DRUMS
If it doesn’t groove, it doesn’t move.
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What is the easiest way to make drums sound bigger in a small room recording?
Small room drum recordings can sound boxy or cramped, even when the playing is good. I know there are mixing tricks, but I am curious about simple tracking choices too. W…
What is one small change that improved your timing?
Timing advice can get very broad, but small habits often make a real difference. I am interested in practical changes that improved your time feel without requiring a com…
Thoughts on die cast hoops?
I’ve only ever used triple flanged hoops, so what advantages would I have using die cast?
Drum dampeners?
What do you use to dampen the sound of your drums?
More drums or more cymbals?
You’re not allowed to say both, so would you prefer more drums or more cymbals on your current setup?
How important is your drum throne?
I find that the older I get, the more important the comfort and quality of my drum stool. In fact, I now consider it to be essential, and even spend more money on it than…
What size sticks do you use and why?
I use Vic Firth SD2 Bolero signature sticks, because I find them better for being dynamic - they have a small, round tip (good for rolls and ghosting), but a fat body (go…
How did you learn how to drum?
So, when I started drumming, there was none of this YouTube stuff around, so I had to learn by myself and pick up a lot of bad habits along the way. How did you manage to…
How to use rehearsal recordings without turning rehearsal into a production session
A phone recording is not a finished mix, but it is one of the quickest ways to hear what the band is actually doing rather than what each player believes they are doing.…
Do you play or listen to Jazz?
Even if you don't play Jazz, is it something you listen to or are influenced by?
The pub-gig checklist I wish every band had before loading the van
A smooth pub gig usually starts long before the first note. The musical part matters, obviously, but most avoidable disasters come from the unglamorous details: missing c…