Step by Step: Here's What I Do When Someone Sends Me a Track to Record Drums On

I thought it could be helpful to a lot of drummers who are getting their home studios together to explain step by step how I record drums for someone when they send me a track. This isn't so much a step by step for setting up tracks in Pro Tools or Logic (there are already tons of videos on how to do that), but more of my own process for recording drum tracks remotely.
The song I use as an example throughout the video is called "Black Halo" by Ross Garren & Vikram Devasthali, vocals by George Krikes. It's not released yet so THANK YOU Ross, Vikram, and George for letting me use it!
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[@luckyloop7503]

finally a drummer that likes 70s drum sounds 😂

[@JakeReedmusic]

One of my favorite vibes!

[@neonrecording]

Yesssssss

[@lileffects516]

It is amazing how much you were able to add to this track without stepping all over it.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you! That's the trick! Create a tapestry of rhythm without calling attention to it.

[@palmoreal]

Best drum recording and session drummer channel. Thanks for sharing your process and providing an amazing look at it from behind the scenes. That xylophone parts is damn catchy.

[@rhythmantic]

Fascinating and educating. Some really hip tips and very logical and well-informed approach. Your playing, kit sound and mix sound great. Thanks Jake!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you for the kind words! Happy to help!

[@newdykung6775]

Finally KZbin has recommended something grateful as this impressive guy woo

[@JakeReedmusic]

Yaaaaaay!!! Thanks!

[@MixMeMcGee]

I know right?! every video gets better too... info, skills, editing...

[@MixMeMcGee]

So good, he’s getting new organic traffic months later.

[@teebee5236]

I’ll be humming that marimba part all day. Thanks for that. You made a very good song a great one. Well done!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Yay! Thank you!

[@carlkolthoff5402]

Thank you for the valuable advices in this video! This is gold for someone wanting to try to start doing some session work

[@JakeReedmusic]

Happy to help!

[@Bergatronmusic]

Pure gold Jake. Thanks for the inspo!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Bergatron Music thanks, Brian!!!

[@ljlinning]

Love it! Good job for showing the fun elements of home studio drumming

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@michaelkartman3543]

This is phenomenal. You literally made the song imo!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you! They are amazing songwriters though ... I think of the drums as providing the appropriate background scene for the story.

[@michaelkartman3543]

@@JakeReedmusic they certainly sound great! Drums provide needed context in most any song. Glad I discovered you!

[@JakeReedmusic]

@@michaelkartman3543 Thank you!

[@strickland306]

Unbelievably great content! Thanks so much Jake!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Mark Strickland thank YOU!

[@sanderweum]

You are a beast man! Just what i needed!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Sander Weum thanks!

[@intheblink]

Holy hell, I love how fun this feels! Great vibe! I love your energetic, fun approach. That’s how music should feel

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! I agree ... that’s how music should feel!

[@timbaileymiller7084]

Phat. Awesome getting a look at your process

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RimShot_Studio]

This is gold! Thank you for sharing!! And killer groove, parts and playing!!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you!!!

[@tylerondrums859]

Extremely helpful as usual. Loving your content.

[@JakeReedmusic]

THANKS!

[@eliasappenzeller785]

Killer drum sound. Love the dual approach of composition/engineering.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you!

[@alanhunter5623]

Another good one sir! So many drums in your stash back there I'm amazed you can actually pick something out.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Ha! Thanks! Yeah, sometimes it takes a few tries but sometimes I get lucky and pick the right one the first time!

[@voronOsphere]

I dig the shakers and I love the washboard! Great advice and video, Jake! Thanks!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Glad you dig!

[@buffaloghost4541]

I love this series and channel. For somone who’s recording in an attic using a drummer at the other end of the country. It’s great to send him all your videos!!! Ha ha. Thanks man. Great job.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Yaaaaaay!!! Thanks! Happy to help!

[@camdudley428]

Been binging on this content! Love it! Love you! You are so awesome 😎

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying the videos!

[@mattmoreno8938]

Awesome musician man, its so fun to listen and watch you play. Great videos and great groovin!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words!

[@jonathanschlitt6944]

So fun and informative, loving these videos dude!!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks man! That’s the goal: fun + informative

[@richardfordmusicandbassopr9631]

So good, Jake!!!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Richard Ford music and Basso Profondissimo thanks Richard!

[@polydivision]

So good man. Thanks for sharing this. Feels great.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Glenn Wilson thank you!

[@kkbdrums]

Awesome video! Super informative, thanks so much!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank YOU!

[@zimiani]

I love this!

[@skemnersam]

Great Video man! good drum sounds, musical interpretation and style!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you! Really appreciate the kind words!

[@scottmorrier9874]

Would love to see more videos like this, recording parts for songs... Great video!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks for the feedback! Great idea!

[@Creativecoverz]

Mateee these vids are so sick. Massively expanding my creative ideas

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! That's great news!

[@drumsmitdavid213]

Great video, great help, extremely great playing!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Happy to help!

[@spencerkim4755]

Excellent video. Thank you for your insight!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Happy to help!

[@lucasgiorgetta8038]

Thanks for the amazing content, man! I'm moving to a different country soon and will have to basically start my session career from scratch. Your videos are helping me stay persistent and motivated. Keep up with the good humour too!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Yay! Thank you for the kind words! You can do it! Just keep going!

[@rubenspoolder3567]

This is an absolute goldmine! Man iv only just found you and like, this setup you have and what you do here is everything i aspire to be in the future. I have a dayjob now and im saving up to buy my own place, specifically to set up a home studio like this. Not a lot of music going on for me atm due to a pandemic, but you are making me exited for the future! Thanks a lot man

[@JakeReedmusic]

Yay! Glad you’re feeling inspired! Go for it!

[@NickLeonard]

Love that huge floor tom and the percussion arrangement is sick

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks dude!

[@jordan11752]

So much good stuff in this video!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Glad you feel that way!

[@piotrolszewski2192]

this guy is our blessing

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@alexhoeffken]

This is so inspiring! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@JakeReedmusic]

alexhoeffken yay! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU for watching!

[@lukelong4054]

Firstly, the great KZbin Algorithm thought I'd be interested in your content. They were right. Secondly, all of these sounds fit the song well, but that left-side cymbal is the perfect crash sound for this track. Beautiful.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Rad! Thanks dude! Yes, I love that cymbal 😬

[@bryanmclellan1588]

This is fantastic! Happened upon you via Andrew Masters and I sure am glad I did. I've started doing more remote work and this has been super informative/inspirational. Thanks and please keep these up.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Hey! Thanks for the kind words! Happy to help!

[@krs715]

Killer man, love that left side crash!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! My left or your left? From drummer's perspective, it's a 20" Renaissance Ride. On my right is a 22" Crash of Doom.

[@handsomedean2122]

Omg that drum set tone is just perfect

[@JakeReedmusic]

thanks!

[@Mr.A_LDN]

Killer groove sir! 🔥

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you!

[@TommyColeman]

This was very inspiring, thank you

[@JakeReedmusic]

yaaaaay! That's the goal. Thanks!

[@noahglover1503]

“Get paid, buy more drums” 😂😂😂 love your content, and your playing and tones are amazing.

[@JakeReedmusic]

😂😂😂 (chanting) MORE DRUMS! MORE DRUMS! ... Thanks!

[@tywoodruff1748]

Very cool Jake!

[@FusionHowie]

I love this guy !

[@JakeReedmusic]

ayyyyyyeee thanks!

[@RandallMedina]

Love this Jake! Great method. (Step 12, one of my favorites 😂)

[@JakeReedmusic]

Randall Medina thanks! Ha! Yep, step 12 is the best!

[@EmbracingAwkward]

Aaaaand that's a sub. Really clear advice, nice one!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Happy to help! New stuff coming soon ...

[@arthurperez4884]

That was really good.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@SonnyGeorgeVlogs]

Dude ur videos are amazeballs man. Super happy Utube recommended ya! I’m super curious about your tracking setup - interface, mic pres, processing on the way in, etc. your mics are no joke and the pedal integration was beyond cool. Maybe a bit geeky for the masses but I’d love to know more about what you do for pres as well as the logistics/integration of it all. Thanks a bunch for all of this Reed. You rock! I’ve got your soundbetter profile saved and hopefully I’ll get to be a part of a project with you soon!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks dude!

[@davidgoode7416]

Awesome, thanks!

[@JakeReedmusic]

David Goode thank YOU!

[@timspier]

“Percussion Sundries” needs to be a shirt. Cause I’d buy it. Hahaha great stuff man!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Ha! Love it. Yes. Yes, it does need to be a shirt.

[@pablorios8668]

Vibey drums! Bring that song to life

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks so much!

[@ageshero]

You sir, are special, and unique, and pretty much the most awesome lol

[@JakeReedmusic]

Awww shucks. Thank you!

[@eddysonnenschein]

yeesssss. that's great man!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Eddy Sonnenschein thank you!

[@robgreenlandMusic]

Such a catchy hook!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Right?! These guys are killer songwriters.

[@gregpaul87]

Bro!! Fuckin' Incredible Man, start to finish! From the random edits (LoL) to That FEEL! #GEMS

[@JakeReedmusic]

Greg Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@rjzigterman]

Meeen i love this! So much, I tried to copy it and make it my own!

[@JakeReedmusic]

AWESOME!

[@kjc9trader491]

Holy Shit - your BD & Tom sounds are HUGE at 0:15 / 6:15 / 13:30 / etc... Wow! ... Love the choice of a tighter, crispier SD on this newer song... Perfect! Talking to yourself as the drummer - to yourself as the engineer - is definitely helpful to get the best take! (4:23)...lol ... 'and a bottle of wine before the percussion overdubs' (7:28) never hurts! ... Another Awesome Video Jake --- becoming My Fave Drum Recording Channel by far (sorry Andrew!)... Very: 1) Entertaining, 2) Educational, 3) Technically Informative, 4) Inspiring... (personally I might have used slightly harder mallets on the xylo, but that's just me)... Hoping your Sub's skyrocket here soon... You deserve it - and are earning it!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Yeah, I tend to talk to myself a lot when I'm tracking alone. Maybe it helps simulate the energy of actually interacting with other people? haha! Yeah, I opted not to use harder mallets for two reasons ... 1) I wanted to match the timbre of the mallets from the previous song and 2) There's also a toy piano part playing the same melody, which maybe wasn't coming through so well in this mix, but I didn't want to get too much attack and compete with those transients. Good call though! Thanks for checking out the videos! Glad you are enjoying them!

[@ozzy3ml]

Excellent

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@MrRezRising]

That attention to detail on every level, that's rare. Steve Jobs had it, Neil Peart of Rush had it, George Carlin too. Nice to see it here.

[@brianglade848]

You are da best coach ah dah Bears

[@gerrittenberkdeboer7763]

you have good tuning skills, sounds 👍

[@arianamastersofficial]

Such great content. Very entertaining and extremely talented. Also, very Ron Swanson. You must keep the stash, always.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! I really appreciate the kind words! I'll do my best with the stache.

[@eugenherri5384]

This is great

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you!

[@BobSchoepenjr]

Spot on ! Sound & groove...as soon this becomes a hit hopefully you get extra pay!

[@JakeReedmusic]

thanks!

[@okjames2954]

Fantastic. Best advice for us drummers in any recording situation, whether it be artist session or your own band. “Percussion sundries” LOL. Percussion is that glue that holds it all together. Great drum tone too!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Perc is the glue!

[@joo_kraus]

thanks!!!

[@andrewking9686]

Sounds great! I’ve got the same marimba in my studio

[@JakeReedmusic]

Oh sweet!

[@calumoconnor7794]

That was great !! Thank man

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you!

[@calumoconnor7794]

@@JakeReedmusic just discovered your channel and Im lovin it, Now I’m listening to your album Reed between the lines and it’s KILLER ! Cudos

[@JakeReedmusic]

@@calumoconnor7794 Thanks dude! I really appreciate the kind words!

[@savingspainmedia]

Loved this! I love the idea of giving them a ton of options and making you more valuable as a session drummer. It's also nice to hear that you take the time and plan time to record revisions. Do you typically record the revisions same day?

[@JakeReedmusic]

Jordan thanks! To answer your question: yes, I typically like to make any revisions the same day just because the drum set up, preamp levels, compression, fx pedals are changing for every session so it’s hard to recall exact levels and tones from session to session. Usually I’ll set up a time window with the artist/producer and that way they’re around to listen to takes as I send them.

[@Jjmcwashere]

Dude you’re cool. I appreciate you. You’re like a cooler, younger, less angry Ron Swanson.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Haha! Thanks dude!

[@ThomasMetal75]

I agree with everything Ron Swanson has said here. Nice information!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@webpunkdev]

Sick!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@malonedrum]

Awesome

[@JakeReedmusic]

Mike Malone thanks!

[@antoineroux8631]

Bonjour Jack, incroyable tous tes conseils!! Quand on voit comment sonnent tes batteries ça donne envie de t'écouter 👏 Salutations depuis la France!

[@JakeReedmusic]

merci!

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

Love your vids man! Hope you still have some stuff coming down the line.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! I do! My wife and I had a baby recently so I was taking a break for a while, but should have some new stuff soon!

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

@@JakeReedmusic awesome man, great to hear and congrats to both of ya!

[@rileysdad1923]

I'd love to have you play on one of my songs, but I do stuff way cheaper than hiring actual pro players. I've got a couple of your Super Dead Drums samples in the thing I'm working on atm. Love your stuff!

[@brandonspencer3840]

Nice little lesson. I love the KISS, KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID. Great job.

[@JakeReedmusic]

thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@321CatDaddy]

Improvisatory? Duuuude that’s too much word for a Saturday eve! Nice sounds on the kits!

[@JakeReedmusic]

LOLOL thanks!

[@mattwithoutyou]

it's interesting, i get a real charlie watts kind of vibe out of your playing on this track.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks dude! Yeah, it kinda has a lope ala Watts.

[@Officialshayne]

I was thinking the same thing! Love my some Charlie

[@loukasangelo5680]

This is a really cool video! Man I wish we could be friends you're so cool!!! Love your musicality and creativity! Also Kait's tunes are incredibly beautiful. TrioKait is def in my top 5! Oh and I forgot... I'm playing TrioKait's music for my final bachelor exam this year! Take care!!!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks man! I really appreciate the kind words! So glad to hear that you’re playing some TrioKAIT tunes on your recital! Where are you going to school?

[@loukasangelo5680]

@@JakeReedmusic I’ve been studying at Jazz Maastricht Conservatory in the Netherlands. This year is my last one. I took a 2 years break and worked for Norwegian Cruise Lines but this pandemic fucked everything up. So now I’m back to school for a year and will make sure that people in the Netherlands know a bit more about Kait’s work and the TrioKAIT by the end of June!

[@mentalflossable]

Very helpful, well done! Love the Camcos. Could you tell me more about the room mics you cut the percussion with?

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Happy to help! The rooms are AEA N8 ribbon mics.

[@BopKitBill]

HI, just found your channel, you just popped up on my TV yesterday. Good stuff...a bit different so I sub'd... Even your video is different.....like you're running an old camcorder or something kinda dingy/gloomy looking. The LA smog got into your place.... I like it , I think? Good playing there young fella ...and I like that your not showboating all the time... I'm watching.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words!

[@impulseproman]

I like Jake

[@chinmeysway]

You did really great things with that tender yuppie surf music, I mean that might be pretty hard to pull off usually!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks

[@boogie5407]

Okay I just found Duke Silver's younger drummer brother. Of course I would subscribe.

[@Obscurity202]

Workflow!

[@jaaprijke1216]

That sir, is one badass mario mustache.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@WilliamEdwardJacob]

Hilarious and really informative. You got my like and sub :)

[@JakeReedmusic]

YAAAAAAAAY!!! Glad you're enjoying the vids!

[@WilliamEdwardJacob]

@@JakeReedmusic Had to binge on all of em once you got me hooked!

[@JakeReedmusic]

@@WilliamEdwardJacob YEEEESSSS, my plan worked perfectly MUAHAHAHA!!! j/k lol. Thanks dude!

[@richsackett3423]

Since you like a SM-7B without the foam, you might also like an SM58 without the ball. Use like an SM57.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Good idea!

[@EoghanJB]

Goddamn you are talented

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@dirkriley3516]

Hey Jake! Loving the channel so far! Do you always just send dry individual tracks or do you ever get asked to send tracks with your own eq, comp, effects printed onto the tracks?? Thanks man!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Hey! Good question ... YES, if they request my printed sounds (eq, comp, verb, fx etc), I'll send those in a separate folder like this: JR DRUM STEMS TK 1 - WET, and then I'll send another that says "DRY". But, they also get a stereo drum mix with everything in case they just want to use that!

[@dirkriley3516]

@@JakeReedmusic Thanks!

[@christiancanalita6487]

Awesome sound and playing Jake! Do you have a "limit" on the number of revisions to where you start charging?

[@JakeReedmusic]

I don't lol! But I probably should ... usually we can figure it out by the third time around.

[@anthonystone1768]

Another nice vid bro! Do you play in a band with Rhett Shull? Thought I saw you in one of his vids?

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you! No, I don't play with Rhett.

[@AndrewMasters]

It's too early for me to be dancing like this...

[@JakeReedmusic]

Andrew Masters lol

[@konradkarolczyk2206]

Such a great sound and playing! Can you share what guitar pedals you use?

[@JakeReedmusic]

Konrad Karolczyk thanks! I was using the red whammy pedal that everyone uses, the Catalinbread Echorec, and a Strymon Blue Sky reverb.

[@vroge3275]

I'm just wondering how busy you are with this kind of work, I'm presuming you are getting more work than you can handle? Your drum sound on this reminded me of "Glory days" Bruce Springsteen. Thanks for the insight. I'm saving up to avail of your services :)

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Pretty busy but there's room in the schedule as long as you don't need it ASAP. Please email me when you're ready!

[@dillonvado]

Nice video man! My friend just told me about your channel and your work, I’m digging it. One question I’m curious if somebody is paying you for a project like this, do you have a limit to the amount of back and forth with ref bounces you will do? I guess that brings up a second question on whether you charge hourly or per track, maybe that’s too personal to ask but I just got a good setup for my own remote recording purposes and trying to navigate that end of things going forward as well. Thanks in advance if you’re able to answer!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Usually it only takes one or two revisions. I try to provide plenty of options. Rate-wise, I'm pretty flexible. I just try to work with the client and come up with something that is fair.

[@novadrums]

Amazing capo!!! Where did you get those cool stereo bars mic?

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Manfrotto triple mic holder