The Process

The idea of working with a musician remotely may seem a bit daunting, but there's no reason it needs to be. Here's a quick outline of the process that has worked best for my past clients....


STEP ONE: INTRODUCE YOURSELF
Communication is KEY. So, before I can really get down to work, it's important for me to have a good understanding of who you are, what sort of sound you're looking for, and how I can help you achieve it.
Info@DrumDaddy.net or 630.207.9333.

 

STEP TWO: SEND ME YOUR MUSIC
I'd love to hear where your music has been, and where it's going...so send me some songs!

 

STEP THREE: PICK A RECORDING METHOD
When it comes to drum tracking, there are two ways we can go about the process: I can program the drums here in my home studio, or I can record them live at Populist Recording + Mastering. Each method has its own distinct advantages, which I will break down for you.

(Pricing for both options can be found HERE!)
 

Custom Drum Programming
 
I have spent many years perfecting the ability to program EXTREMELY live sounding drum and percussion performances. I can perfectly reproduce every aspect of one of my drum performances, including all of the fills, nuances, and personality that make drum tracks feel truly “live.”

(Of course, if a live "drum set" feel isn't what you're after, I also program more conventional sounding drum tracks for dance, industrial, pop, hip hop, industrial metal, and more.)

These days, the vast majority of people I work with prefer the work to be done this way…and here’s why.
 

-It is something I can do at any time of the day or night, right here in my home; and that means we don’t have to worry about scheduling (or paying for) time in the studio. So, while it may take a little more time on my end, ultimately tracks seem to get done quicker this way, and wind up costing you less.

-I have an extensive collection of the highest quality drum sounds, samples, and plug-ins available; all of which can be mixed and matched in unlimited combinations to find the PERFECT sounds for your project.

-Editing becomes extremely easy. Do you love the entire performance except for that one little drum fill? Or maybe you'd prefer to hear the track with a slightly different snare sound? No problem. I can quickly make those alterations and get the tracks back to you in a matter of minutes, as opposed to a matter of days.

-You (or whoever is mixing the music) will have access to both audio and MIDI tracks for each individual drum, which proves to be *extremely* flexible in the mix stage. I can also send you a full stereo track of the entire drum performance, both with and without the EQ, compression, etc. that *I* think sound good. Either way, you will have all the tools you need to make the drums sound exactly like you want them to.


Live Recording at Populist Recording + Mastering
 
The second option is for me to book time at Populist Recording + Mastering, and record the drums live. Since the recording is done at a studio, there are obviously more scheduling considerations, and the price will include the costs of the studio rental, which is $40/hour. 

-The most obvious advantage is that instead of merely "sounding" live, it IS live. Every live drum performance has its own quirks and personality...and many people really like that when it comes to the sound of the drums for their music. 

-I work VERY quickly in the studio. Most songs take me one single take, and I am more than happy to record another additional take, if you'd like more choices.

 

STEP FOUR: I GET TO WORK

It is now up to me to craft a drum track that sparks your creativity, fuels your inspiration, and exceeds your every expectation.