To kick off Drum Month at Cakewalk we’ve decided to include some tips about the types of pre-production topics that can come up before you enter the studio with a drummer. These tips can apply to drummers, guitarists, producers, and engineers alike.
1. Can the drummer play to a click?
This is something to consider when a band or group approaches you for a recording. Depending on the budget, you will either spend a lot of time in the studio, or a lot of time editing drums. Spending time in the studio is much easier than spending hours and hours behind an editor. Don’t be afraid to sit in on rehearsals and even record them to get an understanding of timing and how proficient the drummer is. Here are some solutions for drummers who have a hard time playing to just a click:
- Have someone else in the group play along with the drummer
- Use song demos as guide tracks
- Record in shorter sections, instead of longer sections
- Try different percussion as click tones. (Cowbell, woodblock)
The reality is that if a group wants to record themselves, then they need to have their songs ready for the studio. This brings us to number two.