Dealing with drummers

[gt_jumper]

ones that cannot play what they need to have on the album to a passable level.

Are you more inclined to tell them to go home and learn it? or do you nut it out fixing every hit to make them sound better then they really are?

[gb74]

if he goes home and practice for a day or so, what is the likelihood he will actually learn the part? That's the real question, IMHO.

if the guy is a good drummer and he's just struggling with a few parts, give him a couple of days to work things out.

now if his playing is flat out sub-par, you might want to use some studio magic to finish the album and seriously consider getting another drummer.

[Cirrus]

Yep, it totally depends. You have to make a judgement call.

Is the part within his grasp with some practice? If so, be honest with him. Tell him he's not quite there yet but with some practice he will be, and re-schedule for a couple of weeks down the line. How you tell him/ sugar coat it that depends on his confidence - you don't want to destroy him, but he might be one of those people that reacts well to honest and direct criticism.

The advantage of this route is that you've helped him become a better drummer.

If the part is just flat out beyond his abilities, then you have to decide what to do. That's a political decision and I've got no idea your relationship with the drummer, the band or the project.

You could just record it as is and mix it as best you can. If your involvement is purely financial and you're not actually in the band, this might be an option. Wait and see if the band complains the drums sound like shit. They might be happy with it!

You could get the best, cleanest recording of his bullshit that you can and beat detective/ quantise/ sample replace (because shit drumming isn't just about bad time keeping, they usually try to fuck you by hitting inconsistently too).

You could change the part to something that is within his abilities. Who's producing? Someone has let the song get to a point where a player can't contribute effectively to the track. Who wrote the drum part? Who chose the drummer? Who let it happen? At some point, someone's made a mistake, and that someone is the producer, whether they're the official producer or the de facto one. So re-working the drum part into something the drummer can play with confidence and authority might well be the best solution.

Final option, get someone who can play it. Politically the most risky depending on the actual situation, but if you're against "fixing" a shit performance and you are attached to that exact drum part then it's your only option unless you want the project to turn out shit. You might want to be open about it, or you might want to work the drummer into oblivion getting the best take you can, then get a real drummer in and re-record the part properly, then pretend it was just your editing and touch up skills if anyone notices.

[Markdude]

Track him on a MIDI kit, quantize to taste, and use samples.

[NinjaRaf]

Record it as is and show it to the rest of the band. Have the guitar players try to track over it. If they like it, fuck it. If they dont, they can tell him. IMO, its the drummers/guitarists/bassists/singers job to know his shit when he comes into the studio. If he doesnt, its not your problem (this is assuming youre just recording it). If youre in the band, its something the entire band has to talk to him about.

[hwy1]

If he can't keep time then you need a new drummer. If it's just learning some parts work with him. Maybe the bass player can help him out.

[banana hammock]

I'm with Cirrus. It depends on your involvement with the group/recording.
If they want it fixed well that takes time which may cost more money. Once again this depends on your agreement. Or do they only have enough $$ for one day of recording drums, fine, then you get shit. Sure you can add samples to make the mix sound good but the performance will be the poop.

[RIFF]

Seems like too many drummers just bang it out & call it good. Jamming, that might pass; but when you start recording, any looseness sticks out like a sore thumb.
Drummers should occasionally practice songs to a click or metronome & record themselves.. Save themselves from later embarrassment.

Unfortunately, it weighs heavy on drummers during recording, since they have to set the timing.

[JimmyPaeg]

Something that I've found to be very helpful in general--not just for drummers--is to record to a midi drum loop rather than a click. It doesn't have to be complicated; a simple 4/4 will do, but I find it's much more natural.

[wgmjr]

My drummer never wants to use a metronome. He says its to generic sounding and theirs no feel to the music. I say BS, I would like the songs I've spent months polishing and refining to at least be in time. Of course now he can't seem to get his head out of his girlfriends arse. He calls it a midlife crisis, I like to call it other things. Drummers......

\m/

[Schweezly]

My drummer never wants to use a metronome. He says its to generic sounding and theirs no feel to the music. I say BS, I would like the songs I've spent months polishing and refining to at least be in time. Of course now he can't seem to get his head out of his girlfriends arse. He calls it a midlife crisis, I like to call it other things. Drummers......

\m/

He should practicing, both on his own and with the band, to a click. Most of the time. If he doesn't want to record or play live to one? Well, practicing to one frequently will make his timing better

[Casey4s]

What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians?























a drummer!



What do you call a drummer without a girl friend?























Homeless

[wgmjr]

What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians?























a drummer!



What do you call a drummer without a girl friend?























Homeless

LOL@Casey that's good stuff

[benjamin801]

What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians?

a drummer!



What do you call a drummer without a girl friend?

Homeless

Q: What did the drummer get on his SAT?
A: Drool.

Q: Did you hear about the drummer who locked his keys in his car?
A: Yeah, it took him two hours to get the bass player out!

[Casey4s]

What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians?

a drummer!



What do you call a drummer without a girl friend?

Homeless

Q: What did the drummer get on his SAT?
A: Drool.

Q: Did you hear about the drummer who locked his keys in his car?
A: Yeah, it took him two hours to get the bass player out!

Good stuff !

[wgmjr]

What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians?

a drummer!



What do you call a drummer without a girl friend?

Homeless

Q: What did the drummer get on his SAT?
A: Drool.

Q: Did you hear about the drummer who locked his keys in his car?
A: Yeah, it took him two hours to get the bass player out!

Good stuff !

Oh yea, loving these jokes.