Complete Drum Recording

Complete Drum Recording is a series of tutorial videos regarding everything you need to know about drum recording. Starting from the instrument itself, tuning techniques, recording spaces to micing, processing and recording examples. More than 8 hours of high quality videos and audio examples, in theory and practice, split in to 14 episodes.

You can buy individual episodes or take advantage of our "package" offer and get the whole set with a great discount (just do the the math and you'll get the point).

{See video at top of page}

Click on the product link to watch previews and check individual episodes pricing.

Here is a list of the episodes:

1. "Introduction"

This is the introductory episode to our "Complete Drum Recording" Tutorial video. It is actually a guide to the whole tutorial aiming to give you a better understanding of what the whole thing is about... and it's free.

2. "Drums'n'Space"

In this episode we get a closer look to the drums as an instrument, through the eyes of the manufacturer, the drummer and the sound engineer. We learn what makes a drum kit good or bad and how to get the best from our drum kit with proper tuning and setup.

Then we take a look at the importance of the recording space in drum recording our options and what they could mean in sonics.

Duration time : 44:51

3. "Microphones"

In this episode we take an in depth look at microphone choice and micing techniques for drum recording. Everything you need to know from the actual working principles of different microphone types to placement techniques for close micing, stereo techniques, distant and room micing plus audio examples of different microphones and setups for each use, interviews with producers etc.

Duration time : 56:36

4. "Recording signal chain & processing"

In this episode we take a tour in the way the signal travels from simple air pressure to the recording medium. We take an in depth and detailed look at all the processing stages starting from preamp choces and approaches to dynamic processing, eq and of course the actual recording format. We discuss the purpose of pre recording processing and why we use it... or even why not to use it... everything you need to know and consider in a more than an hour long detailed video with processing examples, interviews and much more.

Duration time : 01:05:28

5. "Ready to record"

So we have everything set up and we are about to hit the record button... well, there are still lots of things to consider when it comes to drum recording.

In this episode we examine some very crucial factors that will probably define the success of the whole procedure and are often overlooked... things like creating working and proper cue feeds, the best way to cooperate with the drummer, the proper approach to "click" recording, project management, studio behavior and all the little things that can make your day in the studio a pleasant and creative experience or a living hell...

Duration time : 46:30

6. "Minimal micing techniques"

In this first "example" episode, we'll take a look at minimal microphone setups for drum recording, starting from single mic setups and moving further to 3 and 4 mic setups including various classic techniques like G.Johns and Recorderman...

All described with details and accurate explanation.

Duration time : 49:50

7. "The Acoustic Drum Kit - part A"

In this first part of our "Acoustic Drum Kit" episode we take an in depth look in a completely acoustic and natural sounding setup, perfect for acoustic jazz or more experimental percussionist approach to drum recording, utilizing different settings and micing techniques. Our featured guest is Dimitris Tasoudis, a talented drummer and percussionist with unique sound and playing style.

Duration time : 27:27

8. "The Acoustic Drum Kit - part B"

In this second part of the "Acoustic Drum Kit" episode we move further on adding a more traditional and even "old school" approach to acoustic drum recording retaining the goal of a natural sounding kit but adding a more vintage vibe and sound getting closer to 50's and 60's jazz recording including even a completely live jazz trio recording in the small room.

Also we emphasize on the importance and vibe that a different drummer, kit and playing approach can bring to the same concept.

Duration time : 29:48

9. "The generic Pop-Rock multi mic'ed kit"

In this episode we examine a generic multi micing set up for pop and rock music with two different drummers using the same kit but in completely different recording spaces. We take an in-depth look at the mic choice and placement techniques including lots of different setups especially in the overhead area and various different music genre examples.

Duration time : 20:17

10. "The dry multi mic'ed kit - on a budget"

In this episode we expand the idea of a generic multi micing set up to an all around "dry" sounding drum kit. We also try to keep the whole thing on a budget and use some of the cheapest possible microphone choices.

Detailed explanation and footage of all setup parameters including, mic choices, placement and processing....also various music examples including to showcase the versatility of such a setup.

Duration time : 15:15

11. "The modern Jazz/Fusion kit"

In this episode we examine the approach to a very demanding genre regarding drum recording.

Detailed explanation of all the parameters of the project including the wonderful drumming of Panos Vassilopoulos.

Duration time : 16:40

12. "The Metal Drum kit"

In this episode and as its title implies we examine the recording procedure of a metal/hard rock drum kit.

However, having already recorded various "all around" drum kit examples that could be easily used for a hard rock or metal sound we decided to expand our possibilities by trying to achieve the perfect combination of the accuracy and detail needed in a metal drums sound with a more big, lush and ambient sonic approach... an interesting combination and a great result.

Once again the whole setup is explained in full details and also we include two actual songs from Wardrum with the drums re-recorded with this setup so you can have a much better image of the whole thing.

Duration time : 25:23

13. "The Extreme Metal Drum kit"

Well, the title describes perfectly the content... in this episode we look in every possible detail the recording of a drum-kit for extreme metal genres from death metal to grind core... extreme double drumming and snare drumming speeds, perfect accuracy and all you should expect for a perfect extreme drum sound.

We did this episode with the co-operation of one the most talented young extreme metal producers around, Stelios Koslidis... you'll be amazed from the result.

Duration time : 24:11

14. "From Blues, to Rock...to Drum'n'Bass"

In this final episode we decided to make a kind of summing up of different styles and setups taking advantage of Alexis Apostolakis unique sound and drumming... you could consider this like a time travel through various drum sounds and approaches, always with the distinctive and recognizable sound of Alexis.

Various drum kits and lots of different set ups from minimal 4 mic set ups to extreme close micing, all fully and detailed explanation and footage...

Duration time : 21:20