Dynamic drummer

[jmedigital]

I am currently working on a mix recorded over in LA with session musicians. Listening to the drum tracks, I've noticed how the dynamics are very even, not from compression but from the way the drummer played and I know i won't need to do much editing.

Now, I call on a drummer mate over here quite a lot because he, has excellent timing, good gear, knows how to tune his kit, works really well with a click, likes to experiment with percussion, basically a really talented and creative drummer who knows his stuff and comes up with the goods. But... he's a little too dynamic and I find myself editing quite a bit to even out the snare and kick. I've had diplomatic discussions here and there about reigning in the dynamics for recording gigs and I'm sure i'll get there in the end.

Just want to know if any others are dealing with the same and what they do, or am I completely wrong?

[jkhuri44]

if your working with a dynamic drummer, maybe a good way for him to hear whats happenin is let him listen to himself in the monitors after he's done a take or two..so he can hear what is being recorded, that will give you better grounds to have a convo with him about what he needs to do..

you mite find that better than yelling at him from the control room after he just finished what he thought was a smokin' take!


:)

and no, i think you are right in saying that some drummers dont need much compression, just like most good musicians need less taming with compression....

[chris p]

Does he wear earplugs when recording? The different frequency attenuation of most plus may give him a wrong idea of the balance between his drums & cymbals. If so, get him to take them out for the studio session, and ...

In any event, get him to play more quietly. Just as creative and expressive, but quieter. He will be his own compressor.

[jmedigital]

Thanks guys. No ear plugs just cans and yeah I really think it's just I need to keep chipping away. I might actually get him over for an editing session one day so I can show him what goes on. I guess he only hears the end result and doesn't know the bits before it.

Stuart

[TimS]

Thanks guys. No ear plugs just cans and yeah I really think it's just I need to keep chipping away. I might actually get him over for an editing session one day so I can show him what goes on. I guess he only hears the end result and doesn't know the bits before it.

Stuart

Play him the session you got from the US so hear can hear the other drummers dynamics - I'm sure he'll see it as a learning experience (hopefully)
TimS..

[Mark Bassett]

BFD

[Sheer Noise]

Oh mark... you're killing me... hahaha!!!!

D