Studio Drummer – Introduction to DAW Recording

March 30, 2014

DAW DRUMS AND EDITING

 

 

For those uninitiated in the term, DAW refers to ‘digital audio workstation’: the short-form terminology commonly used these days.  Modern recording has moved almost entirely away from linear analog tape to computer-based systems of numerous varieties.  Of course the most common, and considered by most to be the industry standard is Pro Tools.  But there are many platforms these days, some of which are considered superior sonically to Pro Tools.

Platforms such as Radar and Saw for example are considered superior in sonic quality.  There are many other fine platforms such as Logic Audio, Sonar, Cubase, Nuendo, Digital Performer and the list grows daily!

 

Having said what I have about platforms this is not intended to be a recording seminar and I’d advise you to dig deep into the many source materials that exist about recording platforms and techniques.  If your intent is to also develop engineering capabilities so you can effectively record yourself, then again I would recommend separate studies in this area.

However it is good, as I will show, to have a general knowledge of platforms and the way that drum-editing takes place on these platforms as well as some of the pitfalls that can befall your performances along with the advantages that they create!

 

The move away from analog tape recording, as I’ve mentioned elsewhere is unfortunate for the modern day studio musician in general.  What is unfortunate is that less than 15 years ago you as a session player you would be required to play an entire ‘take’ (terminology used meaning an entire pass of the piece of music.)  There was no time shifting or repairing. 

 

Stay tuned for more on DAW and home studio recording…

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Studio Drummer – Final thought regarding Chart Reading!

March 30, 2014

*FINALLY…*

 

 

This skill is one that just cannot be overlooked.  Decide to dedicate a percentage of your practice and attention to it. 

 

*REMEMBER*

 

If you can read competently as a drummer it puts you immediately into different league and will open up many new avenues of work!

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Studio Drummer – Chart Reading – Practical Advantages

March 29, 2014

*HERE IS A GREAT EXAMPLE FROM MY EXPERIENCE WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO WRITE YOUR OWN CHARTS.*

 

Previously, I mentioned having to work with long charts and in one particular situation I was confronted with exactly that on a pressure-packed live gig. 

 

There was a book for this gig, in other words the show had a book of charts that were in plastic sleeves whereby the drummer could flip the pages and move through the voluminous individual charts, which were up to 8 to 10 pages long.  The previous drummer had handled this issue by putting one stick in his mouth while turning pages which can be a common way to handle this.  The problem was that the groove was suffering at the point of page turning. 

Being that this gig was one that I wanted to nail I took the time to write my own charts.

 

The reason why the charts are often so long is that the musical pieces are constantly changing key so the writer can’t use repeat signs.  However we are able to since we’re not a chordal instrument. 

 

I was able to reduce 8 page charts down to very accurate 3 or 4 page charts that involved no page turning.  Plus as you experienced folk know, a 3 to 4 page chart will be readable on a single music stand instead of 2.  If a chart is just too long you can also have one stand on one side and one on the other.  There were some songs on the Calgary Stampede that I decided to use the show’s charts for and they were a little more than 4 pages in length, so I used that trick.    


And best of all regarding this added work and preparation, I could paste the entire performance to the wall the entire time with no physical interruptions!

 

 check out the final installment coming!

 

 

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Reading Charts

March 25, 2014

READING

 

Being able to read music in a drummer’s world, also commonly known as lead sheets or chord charts is a vital part of being a successful and busy studio drummer. 

 This is often a thorny issue for drummers and one that they would like to circumvent but I urge you not to try to maneuver your way around it.

 Instead go through it!

 One of the best descriptions of chart reading is one that is common in the musical community.  And I like it.

 *READING IS NOT A TALENT, IT’S A SKILL!*

That’s right!  Reading is really all about practice.  It doesn’t reside on the same plain or side of the brain as being a player and an artist.  As an artist there is a point where you either have the goods or you don’t.  It IS a talent whereas reading is a skill.

 The more you work at this skill the better and better you’re going to get it. 

 *BUT IT’S A SKILL THAT’S AN ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT.*

 ‘Do you want to hit the base hit or do you want to hit the home run?’

 This is a fundamental question that you have to ask yourself!

 There is nothing worse than walking into a session and sure enough there is someone there handing out charts.  Maybe the charts are fairly involved and are 4 pages long! 

 You realize suddenly that you’ve walked into something that is a mile over your head!   Terror ensues!  You may be capable of playing everything that the instrument requires but since you can’t read you have no idea what is going on.

 Even if you do read there is that moment when you can get a lump in the throat!   I remember playing with Ray Charles on live television.  He flew up just to do a couple of numbers and we’re rehearsing the material in the basement of the theatre just prior to going on TV.  There is that moment when the charts are handed out that can be somewhat nerve racking.  Again you don’t know what you’re getting.  Ray also had a reputation of being pretty rough with sidemen.

to be continued 🙂

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