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

[@lileffects]

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.

[@luckyloop7503]

finally a drummer that likes 70s drum sounds 😂

[@JakeReedmusic]

One of my favorite vibes!

[@neonrecording]

Yesssssss

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@erniebertuzzo8020]

Love this Jake. Soooo helpful for my own stuff. More of these types of videos please. Cheers!

[@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!

[@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 😬

[@malonedrum]

Awesome

[@JakeReedmusic]

Mike Malone thanks!

[@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!

[@sanderweum]

You are a beast man! Just what i needed!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Sander Weum thanks!

[@ageshero]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Awww shucks. Thank you!

[@Jjmcwashere]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Haha! 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!

[@piotrolszewski2192]

this guy is our blessing

[@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.

[@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!

[@Bergatronmusic]

Pure gold Jake. Thanks for the inspo!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Bergatron Music thanks, Brian!!!

[@eliasappenzeller785]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you!

[@timbaileymiller7084]

Phat. Awesome getting a look at your process

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@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!

[@andrewking9686]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Oh sweet!

[@voronOsphere]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Glad you dig!

[@pablorios8668]

Vibey drums! Bring that song to life

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks so much!

[@camdudley428]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying the videos!

[@smo-k1b]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks for the feedback! Great idea!

[@ljlinning]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@handsomedean2122]

Omg that drum set tone is just perfect

[@JakeReedmusic]

thanks!

[@richardfordmusicandbassopr9631]

So good, Jake!!!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Richard Ford music and Basso Profondissimo thanks Richard!

[@RandallMedina]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

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

[@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!

[@ozzy3ml]

Excellent

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@strickland306]

Unbelievably great content! Thanks so much Jake!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Mark Strickland thank YOU!

[@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!

[@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!

[@ThomasMetal75]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@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!

[@neonrecording]

5:14 what are these??? Such a great ding

[@neonrecording]

Talking about the two bells, but the cluster of (metal?) Is also interesting and sounds great!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! I think they’re called banana bells. Found them at a drum shop in Ventura. Super cool right?! I love them.

[@JakeReedmusic]

The cluster of metal are a bunch of bottle caps I tied together!

[@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!

[@drumsmitdavid213]

Great video, great help, extremely great playing!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Happy to help!

[@Creativecoverz]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! That's great news!

[@gerrittenberkdeboer7763]

you have good tuning skills, sounds 👍

[@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!

[@robgreenlandMusic]

Such a catchy hook!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Right?! These guys are killer songwriters.

[@jonathanschlitt6944]

So fun and informative, loving these videos dude!!

[@JakeReedmusic]

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

[@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!

[@skemnersam]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you! Really appreciate the kind words!

[@NickLeonard]

Love that huge floor tom and the percussion arrangement is sick

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks dude!

[@Mr.A_LDN]

Killer groove sir! 🔥

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you!

[@filtafacta]

Great video! My only 2¢ is that the drums and percussion should finish with the last note of the marimba at 14:26.

[@JakeReedmusic]

The ending of the song wasn't quite set in stone when I recorded this for the guy, but I think he actually ended the song like you're saying. Here's how it turned out: open.spotify.com/album/4O37v7PCU2ttAmPO7ZzQaR?si=W84ML7bqScKKxYEcSRHY5Q

[@filtafacta]

@@JakeReedmusic cheers. In the Spotify mix my idea was for everything to finish at 3:33

[@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

[@spencerkim4755]

Excellent video. Thank you for your insight!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! Happy to help!

[@FusionHowie]

I love this guy !

[@JakeReedmusic]

ayyyyyyeee thanks!

[@PerezBroz-p5o]

That was really good.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@OogaB0oga]

Black Halo kinda reminds me of The Commitments. What, with that slightly old skool sounding reverb and those female backing vocals.

[@OogaB0oga]

Also, I didn't know Ron Swanson was such a proficient musician! nice

[@JakeReedmusic]

totes! Thanks! The spotify link the released version is somewhere in these comments if you'd like to hear it. Mixed by Dave Way!

[@TommyColeman]

This was very inspiring, thank you

[@JakeReedmusic]

yaaaaay! That's the goal. Thanks!

[@kkbdrums]

Awesome video! Super informative, thanks so much!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank YOU!

[@jordan11752]

So much good stuff in this video!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Glad you feel that way!

[@polydivision]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Glenn Wilson thank you!

[@tylerondrums859]

Extremely helpful as usual. Loving your content.

[@JakeReedmusic]

THANKS!

[@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!

[@jordan.n.turner]

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.

[@davidgoode7416]

Awesome, thanks!

[@JakeReedmusic]

David Goode thank YOU!

[@RimShot_Studio]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you!!!

[@zimiani]

I love this!

[@brianglade848]

You are da best coach ah dah Bears

[@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!

[@321CatDaddy]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

LOLOL thanks!

[@eugenherri5384]

This is great

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@EmbracingAwkward]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

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

[@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!

[@webpunkdev]

Sick!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@alexhoeffken]

This is so inspiring! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@JakeReedmusic]

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

[@rjzigterman]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

AWESOME!

[@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!

[@gregpaul87]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

Greg Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@joo_kraus]

thanks!!!

[@brandonspencer3840]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@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

[@Allison_Chaynes]

There are so many great drummers that can flam drag you to death. But my style of great drummers are drummers that put the right thing where it belongs. Chad Smith is one of the best rock songwriting drummers. However, someone who doesn't get nearly the credit they deserve is Blind Melon's Glenn Graham. Listen to "Glitch" or "Car Seat... God's presents." "PULL" and "Toes across the floor" are great too. And then of course another great is Stephen Perkins. Just listen to "THREE DAYS" and "Ted, just admit it." Sorry for my ramble. I just love talking drummers. Especially ones that don't get the credit they deserve. Cheers! Oh yeah, I like your videos. Good drum writing.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! I like all those drummers you mentioned too.

[@crocholiday]

Great track and I love what you did with it. Xylophone was an awesome touch. Super tasty. Out of curiosity, how do you approach a tune that you're just not into at all? I recently tracked bass for a couple tunes that I just couldn't get into at all. I did the best I could with what I had and the producer and artist dug it but I defiantly wasn't jazzed with what I sent. It was weird to send a track thinking "this is the best I can polish this turd." lol Curious how you cope with something like that.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks! To answer your question, most of the time I’m not in the headspace of judging if the piece of music I’m playing on is “good” or not. I’m more in the mindset of trying to find the best way to help tell the story without calling too much attention to myself. The goal is to be 100% serving the song. It’s similar to getting caught in the trap of asking yourself “am I sounding good right now?” while you’re in the middle of a take. If you’re thinking about it that way, chances are you’re probably not listening. I’ve found that it helps if I surrender to the musical moment and provide whatever is necessary for the music to succeed the best it can. Does that help?

[@crocholiday]

​@@JakeReedmusic Totally. I know exactly where you're coming from. I didn't mean to imply that I was judging the piece. That's not the case at all. It's more searching the piece for inspiration so my part has some heart and doesn't feel mechanical or sterile if that makes sense. It was hard for me to write a part that served the song and helped tell the story when I couldn't get into it. I haven't done tons of session work and that was the first time I've dealt with uninspired tracking. It was a trip lol.

[@eddysonnenschein]

yeesssss. that's great man!

[@JakeReedmusic]

Eddy Sonnenschein thank you!

[@BobSchoepenjr]

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

[@JakeReedmusic]

thanks!

[@griffinlindal]

wadda groove

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks!

[@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.

[@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!

[@boogie5407]

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

[@freddiegarner2581]

step 12 is actually kinda true tho, because i feel like its so important to have a wide range of sounds/options when recording drum tracks.

[@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.

[@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!

[@guusverschuur827]

Cool video and explanation. Where can I find the song?

[@JakeReedmusic]

open.spotify.com/album/4O37v7PCU2ttAmPO7ZzQaR?si=--1A3bbMQnmQp3bOZQwP-A

[@guusverschuur827]

@@JakeReedmusic daaaaaaaaaaaaamn so much funk!!!

[@impulseproman]

I like Jake

[@JulesStoop]

You made it sound great! And great professional advice as well. But... It really needs more cowbell, doesn’t it?

[@JakeReedmusic]

LOL thanks!