{"id":14490,"date":"2019-04-15T11:54:50","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T18:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=14490"},"modified":"2023-06-01T11:54:45","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T18:54:45","slug":"pro-studio-tips-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/pro-studio-tips-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Pro Studio Tips, Part 4: How To Work With Engineers & Approach Edits And Punches"},"content":{"rendered":"

As most experienced drummers can attest, there\u2019s much more to being successful in the studio than just being a good player. In Part 4 of our Pro Studio Tips Series, we\u2019ll discuss how to interact well with engineers, producers, and other band members to successfully navigate the studio environment, and make edits and punches during a recording session.<\/p>\n

Part 1:\u00a0Gear choices, drum tuning and muffling<\/a><\/em>
\nPart 2:\u00a0Getting the perfect headphone mix & working with a click track<\/a>
\nPart 3: Live vs. studio, playing consistent parts, & how to create a road map<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Interacting with engineers and other band members<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Besides being great players, the most successful studio drummers have one trait in common: people like working with them. They show up on time, they have a good attitude, and are genuinely happy to be there. They bring the right gear (see Studio Tips Part 1<\/a>), have great time-keeping skills (Part 2<\/a>), and come prepared to play the tunes (Part 3<\/a>). However, there are even more things you can do to help you have a productive and fun day in the studio.<\/p>\n

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As a drummer, knowing how to successfully interact with your engineer is high on that list. Remember that engineers often have a lot to set up besides your drums. They are running cables, putting up mics, dialing in the mix, and trying to get the best possible sound for all band members. As you\u2019re setting up, try not to hit the drums when the engineer\u2019s head is near the kit. There\u2019s no quicker way to upset someone than blasting their ears out first thing in the morning. Engineer and drummer Charles Burst from the Seaside Lounge Studio in Brooklyn, NY suggests that \u201conce the drummer has everything set, it\u2019s best to just get out of the way and let the engineer put up the mics and do their job.\u201d<\/p>\n

The setup process is usually the most intensive part of an engineer\u2019s day. So while you shouldn\u2019t be shy about asking for the gear or headphone mix you need, be sensitive to the fact that there are many other things going on. As the session continues, you\u2019ll hopefully establish a nice workflow with your engineer and be able to focus your attention solely on the music.<\/p>\n

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Use the engineer as a resource. It never hurts to ask their opinion about drum sounds and gear choices. You don\u2019t have to take every suggestion, but remember: they\u2019re in that studio every day and will likely have some valuable insight into how to make your equipment sound the best. To this end, try to avoid noodling or playing your drums between takes, especially when people are talking. If you need to check your tuning, do it at an appropriate moment. If you happen to be cursed with an engineer who is lethargic or has a bad attitude, take the high road and try to stay positive and upbeat. If the engineer is having gear or technical issues, be patient and stay out of the way so they can troubleshoot and get the session back on track.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s equally important to show the same level of sensitivity and respect to other band members. Being in the studio can be intense and stressful, so it\u2019s important to make sure that stress doesn\u2019t lead to negative interactions that can derail your session and waste valuable recording time. As anyone who has ever been in a band can tell you, musical disagreements are a natural part of the recording process. However, these tensions and disagreements have also made a sizable contribution to some of the greatest recordings of all time.<\/p>\n

The Beatles are a prime example of four artists with disparate creative ideas who came together to create an artistic vision. They fought with each other and with their producer George Martin, but they were still able to record many great albums due to their mutual respect and love of the art they were creating.<\/p>\n