Nick D'Virgilio - Recordings drums for Steve Hackett 2021 studio album

In this video I go through the gear I used for the Steve Hackett session and go behind the scenes, playing and figuring out some of the drums parts. There is no music in the back-round, you will only hear the drums. You are going to have to wait for Steve's new record next year to hear these parts in full. Quickly shot on my Iphone, both kits sound great!
Recording for Steve is a total blast and he gives me songs that challenge my abilities in a great way. I am thankful for that. If you are fan of Steve's music I think you will really dig these songs.

[@jonp5089]

I wish more artist’s would do this exact type of video. Way to go Nick!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Jon P!

[@Rockin_Ross]

Seeing a pro like Nick struggle with rushing and being tired after fast takes helps me feel better about my struggles. Great takes though, man! You rock!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you for watching Rockin Ross! We are all human and sometimes the challenge can be hard. That's what makes it exciting!!!

[@FanaticDrummer]

And yet some of the best parts and moments come out of that frustration and exhaustion of just wanting to be dont with it 😂

[@courtbeall7768]

Nick.you're the best,man.Every serious drummer should watch this.thanks for having the balls to show a side most drummers won't show.

[@michaelsstatement]

Nick you are one of my 3 favourite drummers of all times. You, Phil Collins and Gavin Harrisson. Thanks for being Inspiration for all those years. Keep on rocking 🤘

[@erikmaronde2244]

Glad Steve chose you for these songs👍🤘🖖🎶

[@NDVirgilio]

Me too!!! Thank you Erik!

[@ledaros6383]

Great video!! It's so inspiring to see a top drummer like Nick in "real action"... both drums kits and performances are just amazing, but the Ludwig "pack" is phenomenal...

[@NDVirgilio]

Those drums are so much fun to play Le Daros. Thanks for watching!

[@bubbablues145]

CRUSHING IT! Nick "Double Kick"!!

[@scotthesler644]

Love Nick one of my favorites and such a motivator.

[@ericjohansen1528]

I just stumbled on this 18 months after Surrender of Silence came out. Amazing to recognize the fox’s tango song and relaxation music for sharks by watching you drum

[@Cata2690]

Great to see the inner workings of a real drum session.

[@NDVirgilio]

Glad you like it!

[@stevendavid5370]

It is cool to watch a great drummer struggle on a song and watch how he works through a process to eventually get it down. More videos are needed in this area.

[@PabloJ1968]

The beast...and one of the best drummers around!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Pablo!!!

[@bigkickleo]

Nice peek into the workings of a real drum overdub session. And KUDOS to you for sharing your struggle with that section of the first song!! TRUE professionalism!! Rock on brother! 🤘🏻🦁❤

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Big Kick Leo!!!

[@kikinmusic9185]

Hi Nick, thanks for the inspiration to keep playing 👍😎👍🥁

[@NDVirgilio]

Go for it Kikin! Thank you!

[@alvaromascareno3521]

I'm listening to Steve's album right now for the first time and remembered having watched this video when it came out. I just had to watch it again. It's so cool to be able to see you tracking the actual drum parts for the record and hearing the final result. Thank you for this and thanks again for all the music!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Alvaro!

[@TimBatkin]

Great work Nick. Thank you for sharing and keeping it real. I felt your pain nailing that fill on the first track, and your determined professionalism in seeing it through. 🇺🇸👍😀🥁

[@sturla75]

Fantastic Nick! So fluid playing and loved that you shared the process. Thumbs up!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you for watching Sturla!

[@Stixster1]

World class drummer. Love his gear demos and playing.

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you!!!

[@enginkaplan2317]

Such a gentleman, great musician and contributor to the industry. Very cool!!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Engin!

[@daleedwards1158]

Really, really enjoyed this Nick!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Dale!

[@andreasfranzmann9634]

This is the coolest sh*t I have seen in a while! Thank you Nick, you're brillant!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Andreas!

[@bobby9727]

Incredible drumming Nick and great to see you laying down tracks to Steve Hackett. Leave the cursing in LOL We all do it. Joking of course.

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Bobby!

[@EixtremeDrummer]

Nick, you'll never give up of Genesis music. Love it!

[@NDVirgilio]

Huge influence. I can't help it :) Thank you!

[@EixtremeDrummer]

​@@NDVirgilio Nick D'Virgilio - Rewiring Genesys. I love that job, you recreated with HD the original work. I admire your musical sense + sensibility and envy your voice.

[@NDVirgilio]

@@EixtremeDrummer Thank you!

[@DrumFaceP]

Great to see your actual process, makes me feel slightly less intimidated haha! Superb job 👍🏻

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you DrumFace!

[@ldsbatera]

Thanks for sharing this! A real recording experience by a trully great drummer!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you for taking the time to watch Leandro! Take care

[@tonyhonour665]

Can’t wait for this, roll on Christmas!

[@NDVirgilio]

It's gonna be good. Thank you Tony!

[@dcap66]

Can't wait Nick.Love both of you guys.Steve Hackett was the last show I got to see in NY,then Covid screwed everything up.I saw you several times with Spock's.You are inspirational,not to mention a great person. I met you with the band at BB King's in NYC.You,and the band have to be the nicest guys in the business. Looking forward to hearing you with Steve.BTW your new solo album is awesome....Cheers

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Domenick!!!

[@claystaggs8908]

Nicky D’ is a bad motor scooter love watching any and all vids

[@wilkinsnl]

I could watch your sessions all day man. Please upload stuff from BBT if you have it. Love your playing Nick.

[@NDVirgilio]

There's a lot of that coming soon. Thank you for watching wilkinsnl!

[@wurdofwizdumb1928]

I love your vibe.

[@carlosclerigadrums]

Thanks for sharing, nice to see the process. Great video!! ( I'll try the cotton inside the floor toms)

[@ShakingTwoTrees2012]

Man, that last fill around the Gretsch kit was awesome! I'm looking forward to hearing more of Nick on Steve's new album. Inspiring playing as always!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you!!!

[@lssoundcompany5034]

The drums are so big, Nick looks like a little kid ! I would to :->

[@pumpkin1982]

I love this. Thanks Nick for showing us how you write a part. You put your heart in it. Consummate professional. Which album is this? Also, what is going your headphones? Is it click and scratch tracks. Any other drum parts?

[@NDVirgilio]

The record is Surrender of Silence. I don’t have other drum parts in my ears but definitely click and a reasonable mix of everything else and I pan the instruments around and that helps clear the sound up while recording. Cheers!

[@MassimilianoCerreto74]

The most instructional video I ever seen. Thanks a lot. (No need to write it, we all already know it, but let me tell you're a great great drummer!)

[@NDVirgilio]

Wow, thanks!

[@MassimilianoCerreto74]

@@NDVirgilio It shows how drummer's work really is! Greetings from Italy! I wish you all the best!

[@user-oh4sg1wd4q]

Ludwig is one of my favorite drum..and this one is,sounds like modern John bonham.I love it. keep upload another Legendary Drum Recording shot,Thank you.

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you!!!

[@just-in0287]

Your AWESOME brother keep ROCKIN! 🤘🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Justin!

[@garyjohnson4988]

Love this bro. Thanks for being real!

[@armanlopeman9014]

7:25 I WAS NOT READY FOR THAT

[@charlyfreedomdammit]

Awesome Nick. Thanks for sharing.

[@NDVirgilio]

Thanks for watching!

[@FanaticDrummer]

Outside of mega bands with lifelong drummers. I think Nick has my favorite career out of the solo drummers out there.

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you! Just trying to do my thing. Making music is a blessing for sure. Cheers !

[@raycordermusic5036]

this is just great...thanks for showing

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Ray!

[@KevStevens-Music-Drums-Art]

Lovely playing Nick as always. I'm really looking forward to hearing how it sounds when the songs are mastered, mixed signed off and released for us to appreciate.

[@NDVirgilio]

Me too! Thank you Kev!

[@lyncboy]

KILLER PLAYING NICK !!!!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Scott!

[@ProgSnob14]

Awesome as always. By the way, since we talked about it earlier this year, I wanted to let you know Invisible still made my top 5 albums of 2020, #2 in fact, as you predicted Fates Warning took #1. But all pointless rankings aside your new album really blew me away and will definitely be in heavy rotation through the years. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and here's to hoping 2021 is a better year over all.

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you so much Stephen!!!

[@buffplums]

Great seeing you work Nick love the sound effects haha 😂

[@NDVirgilio]

Thanks for watching Chris!

[@ivannio5836]

Great to listen to your presentation of drums and project ;) Cool

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Ivan!

[@ivannio5836]

@@NDVirgilio Live music with your own band sounds great too :)

[@johnbeagley1195]

Nice to see the experts struggling!! :)

[@NDVirgilio]

It's not always easy but that is what makes it fun. Thanks John!

[@johnbeagley1195]

@@NDVirgilio absolutely mate. :)

[@TheSMPStudios]

Steve is coming out with an album!! Awesome! I love 80s Genesis, but Steve’s guitar in the Peter Gabriel years were on point!

[@NDVirgilio]

Yes! You should also check out his acoustic album "Under a Mediterranean Sky" he put out earlier this year. Beautiful!!! Thank Sammy!

[@TheSMPStudios]

@@NDVirgilio omg! Thanks for replying, Nick!!! You have been an inspiration to me since the days of Spock’s Beard!! (Curios to see if that’s a nod to Mirror Verse Spock! Lol!). As a singing Drummer you have helped me with everything from equipment to grooves! Thanks a lot and God Bless!!

[@NDVirgilio]

@@TheSMPStudios Happy to help in anyway I can Sammy :)

[@TheSMPStudios]

@@NDVirgilio thanks Nick! Getting ready for a big Worship Concert in Orlando called Back 2 Worship so I’ll be reviewing all the Sweetwater stuff!! Thanks for inspiring us! BTW first Rock/Pop song I ever learned was Head Over Heals!!! Tried to find you playing it but to no avail!!

[@manifestgtr]

Sweetwater has really nice recording facilities considering they’re known to be a retailer. My buddy Adam works there…laid down some Hammond, piano, etc. for a record I produced last year and they were really pristine tracks…nicely imaged piano and properly miced Hammond (which can be a bit of a rarity nowadays).

[@NDVirgilio]

The recording studios are top notch for sure and the gear selection we have is amazing. Cheers!

[@Marreroortiz]

Very organic! Awesome!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Chri!

[@Marreroortiz]

@@NDVirgilio Have an amazing day and be safe... we need you Nick!

[@ronalgarzon194]

Poderoso ser amigo Nick. Felicidades

[@NDVirgilio]

¡muchas gracias Ronal!

[@ronalgarzon194]

@@NDVirgilio un gran músico humildad y pasión en la música espero pueda venir a Colombia a un Clínic.

[@NDVirgilio]

@@ronalgarzon194 Me encantaría volver a Columbia. Toqué un concierto en Bogotá con Tears For Fears allá por 1996. Creo que es hora de volver. ¡Todo lo mejor para usted!

[@luis_robledo_richards]

Awesome Nick! Love the tuning on the vistas!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Luis!

[@dwg1982]

That's a cool video...great to see what actually goes on in the studio as a drummer, the constant takes etc.. It's so easy to focus on what the drummer does on stage in a 2 hour gig, rather than the hard work which can take place in the studio for days and weeks on end. Great video Nick! I know it's a long shot but Id love to see you do something similar to your Phil Collins video, but Im a massive Queen and Roger Taylor fan and so i'd love to see you do a feature on him and your interpretation of the 6 best Queen songs from a drums perspective.

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Darren! I LOVE Roger Taylor's drumming. I was listening to Day At The Races just last evening. Great idea. Take care

[@dwg1982]

@@NDVirgilio I am too overwhelmed that you replied. Cheers Nick. I have been interested in drumming for 20 years and have yet to own a kit but 5 years ago I got the opportunity to play drums with the band at my wedding and apart from meeting one guy for a 30 min practise/lesson this is the first time I've played a kit...any pointers welcome lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3zGomiugdp9mqM

[@NDVirgilio]

@@dwg1982 You looked like you were having a blast playing Darren. Just keep doing that!

[@anthonyn1312]

My favorite 😍💖💟 part is Nick's first 🥇 rules of session drummer don't rush like a beeped!

[@NDVirgilio]

Ha! Thanks for watching Anthony! You have a great name. That is my sons name too!

[@anthonyn1312]

@@NDVirgilio Wait, I thought you endorse by Mapex drums, Aquarian drumhead, Meinl Cymbals, and Vic Firth drumstick! And I thought you always said Diameter by length!

[@mtuli_ps]

Nick, you're a powerhouse

[@NDVirgilio]

Thanks Marco!

[@JulianFernandez]

Cotton inside the FT. Classic studio trick!

[@NDVirgilio]

It just works. Thank you Julian!

[@TREYMcLAMB]

Great drumming Nick!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Trey!

[@trevormay7862]

Big fan of your work Nick! Would it be possible to explain or notate the fill you do at around the 8.35 mark? Cheers.

[@NDVirgilio]

It's a bit hard to do here but it was basically 6's. 4 on the hands the 2 with the feet. RLRLFF over and over. I just orchestrated it on the toms and snare. I was using a dbl pedal but you can play that fill by doing a dbl on a single pedal. Did that help? Cheers Trevor

[@ArchieBC]

Great video, Nick! These peaks into recording sessions and how the flow is golden. Thank you!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you for watching Archie!

[@roybeckerman9253]

The Black Beauty stole the show. All the mikes used today. Once there would have been one or two only, for drums.

[@marclemery6673]

The face at 4:39 coming out of that fill.... LOL!!!!! 😬

[@GSWeb8]

Great video!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you!

[@gregchapman3519]

Those Gretsch toms! Holy smokes!!

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Greg!

[@MrNickDrummer]

This is awesome!! Why not Paistes with the vistalite? 🤘

[@NDVirgilio]

I just grabbed what I felt worked for the track. Paiste are great, no doubt. Thank you MrNickDrummer!

[@MrNickDrummer]

@@NDVirgilio Thank you so much for the reply, I absolutely admire your drumming skills man!

[@NDVirgilio]

@@MrNickDrummer Thank you! I'll grab some Paiste's next time :)

[@chickboomcrash]

Can anybody tell me what model that Meinl China is....?

[@NDVirgilio]

That is a Meinl 22" Jazz China Ride. A great cymbal!

[@gordongurley3982]

Not sure if there were enough notes at 8:34. Maybe a few more 64th notes. 😂 amazing drumming

[@NDVirgilio]

MORE MORE!!!! Ha! I tried but couldn't fit anymore in. Thanks Gordon!

[@Jonathanpaulcooke_music]

Awesome musician 👍 jPc

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you Jonathan!

[@thedayones4918]

I don't know who this guy is but he sounds legit af, i am subbing my g!!

[@rlbrett]

This guy toured with Tears For Fears, played with Kevin Gilbert, lots of other greats.

[@thedayones4918]

@@rlbrett ty! amazing feel and cool chops for sure. ✌🏽

[@NDVirgilio]

It's me!!! Nick D :) Thanks for watching!!!

[@rlbrett]

@@NDVirgilio Hey Nick, I know your father-in-law. I live in Upland/San Antonio Heights. Peter is a great guy, he brags about you, your generosity, and being a good husband.

[@MiguelFarah]

A small peek at Under a Mediterranean Sky?

[@computerlucaworldplus]

No. It's a different album that will be released after Under a Mediterannean Sky. Check out this interview. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXy2l6qGhJh2bK8

[@TheMazzimM]

Grande Nick.

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you!!

[@tomigoi]

Anybody got more information about this album?

[@acrylicrecording]

Hey nick! What mic stands are those holding the 414s over the vistalites?

[@NDVirgilio]

Those are K&M's I believe. Thank you!

[@solitarysoul7604]

When you moved to the Gretsch kit, I wouldn't have been surprised if that had morphed into Hal Blaine and the theme to Hawaii Five'O

[@NDVirgilio]

Ha! Thank you Solitary Soul!

[@paulbarlow2793]

Does anyone know if any of these ideas ended up in any album tracks?

[@NDVirgilio]

Most of the things you heard are in the songs. I end up making a comp track out of my takes and send that over to Steve. Cheers!

[@paulbarlow2793]

@@NDVirgilio Thanks Nick,Love your playing by the way

[@guillermo3564]

What? The Gretsch didn't get new heads for Steve?

[@PierStoddard]

7:18 When he said," 3 extra toms and kick" I felt that.

[@themadmaddrummer]

Just look at her from the Back End !!!!

[@NDVirgilio]

It's a nice view! Thanks!!!

[@shawnhapney8784]

Even the pros struggle with timing and dynamics. Yet alone anything else like song structure, etc.

[@MrBeblis]

You Are so lucky wow, I can't even afford one generic drum set. I would love to have just one of these drums to be able to practice on a real set

[@NDVirgilio]

I'm am blessed P.o.B pedals. No doubt about that. Thank you!

[@FredMinville]

Nice to see pros have to work shit out, keeping it real

[@NDVirgilio]

Totally. It aint always easy. Thanks for Watching Fred!

[@clementnicolaas2697]

oh man after hearing the Vista the Gretsch sounded like cardboard.....so clean and powerful

[@NDVirgilio]

Totally different animals. Thank you Clement!

[@PhilRounds]

I'm assuming you had finished or nearly finished tracks to work with and you were punching in drums? Yeah, that's a tough situation. When you're playing with people live in the studio, there's a give and take between the musicians that allows you to be more relaxed and dynamic. When it's all pre-recorded the time and dynamics are written in stone; You either go with that or it's not "right". Not an easy gig.

[@NDVirgilio]

I forget exactly where I was in the session. I was filming a lot of the time. The music I was recording to made the whole thing inspiring even though I was playing alone. It was fun and challenging. Sometimes as a session musician you don't get the pleasure of a great recording to create to and you still have to do you job to the best of your ability. Steve only sends me great stuff to play on so I am very blessed. Cheers!

[@rickrick225]

Bonham never used Vistalites in the studio.

[@deceiver444]

What did he use ?

[@tonyhonour665]

Due January I think.

[@bojohnbonham]

Jealous brother!

[@SKragseth]

Ludwig forever!!

[@NDVirgilio]

They are great!. Thanks Spencer!

[@crazyclownstudioaudio3122]

👍👍👍

[@NDVirgilio]

Thank you!

[@jorgevillegas6855]

I would prefer some paistes do the work in both setting.. a mix of 602 602 m2 2002 and 2002 black beat would have done the trick better in my opinion

[@NDVirgilio]

I dig Paiste too Jorge. Just grabbed what I felt sounded good for the songs. Thank you!

[@jorgevillegas6855]

@@NDVirgilio it,s always a pleasure to listen to your set up...I do really dig some other cymbals brands and I have a complete set of Zildjians Menils and Istambuls and my lovely collection of paistes.....Thanks for keeping the progrock flame burning¡¡¡

[@DrummerForChrist100]

1st rule of session drumming: don’t rush like a clown horn.

[@citydrums7525]

Any friend of Steve Hackett's is a friend of mine...

[@fabrigasan2150]

Fateci caso ci sono decine di batteristi Italo americani famosi e maestri, sono nato in Italia anche io , ma…

[@vidoemakenoke2424]

Chille out house op spotify

[@kjbunnyboiler]

Thanks for the insight, consider me subscribed👍

[@NDVirgilio]

Sweet! Thank you kj!

[@GSWeb8]

Damn I really need to play matched grip more.

[@NDVirgilio]

Whatever works. It's all good. Thank you!

[@GSWeb8]

@@NDVirgilio PS: I absolutely love your playing and further your work with Spock's Beard is mind numbingly great:)

[@NDVirgilio]

@@GSWeb8 So glad you enjoy it!

[@andrewljacob]

Me: Might sell my 21" K Sweet Ride Nick D'Virgilio: [uses K Sweet cymbals on a Steve Hackett track] Me: ABORT!

[@CartoonTheory]

[@joakimfrostblacksmithing7127]

Wincent drum sticks thats a Swedish brand. Greetings from Sweden .

[@Mag777Nus]

09:31

[@Mike_Webb78]

And you paired the Ludwigs w Zildjians and not Paiste...🤦🏻‍♂️👎🏼