In the Studio
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Video Demo: Handheld Tambourines
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the December 2015 issue, which is available here. Product Close-Up Handheld Tambourines A Roundup of Options From Four of the Industry’s Top Jingle Makers Whether you’re an aspiring session…
VIDEO! In the Studio: Seeing Sounds, Part 5: Specialty Mics (November 2013 Issue)
by Donny Gruendler In the first four installments of this series we discussed very broad ideas for achieving stylistically appropriate drum sounds, from pop-rock to traditional jazz. Each setup employed different drums, head selections, and tunings, and we used…
In the Studio: Seeing Sounds, Part 4: Classic Jazz (October 2013 Issue)
Small-group jazz drumming is synonymous with legendary players such as Art Blakey, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, and Tony Williams. Although these five gentlemen had very different approaches to timekeeping, each contributed to the jazz art form and…
In the Studio: Seeing Sounds, Part 3: Funk (September 2013 issue) UPDATED
September 2013 In the Studio Seeing Sounds Part 3: Funk by Donny Gruendler Funk drumming is synonymous with masters like James Brown’s Clyde Stubblefield, Tower of Power’s David Garibaldi, P-Funk’s Tiki Fulwood, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith.…
The Making of Alicia Keys’ "Girl on Fire" with Indie Studio Drummer Dylan Wissing
In this video, session drummer Dylan Wissing shares the story behind the making of the drum tracks on R&B superstar Alicia Keys’ hit single “Girl on Fire.” Dylan Wissing is a Hoboken, New Jersey–based drummer who operates his own recording…
Seeing Sounds, Part 2: The Deep, Fat “Thud??? (UPDATED)
July 2013 In the Studio Seeing Sounds Part 2: The Deep, Fat “Thud” by Donny Gruendler There’s been a trend in recent years of drummers going for deep, dark, heavily muffled tones, whether in indie rock or mainstream pop. Steve…
In the Studio: Seeing Sounds, Part 1: All-Purpose Pop/Rock
June 2013 In the Studio Seeing Sounds Part 1: All-Purpose Pop/Rock by Donny Gruendler All of us appreciate a signature and stylistically appropriate drum sound. This can range from the perfect overall kit tone on your favorite CD to a…
In the Studio: Jamaican Drum Sounds
Jamaican Drum Sounds Quick Tips to Achieve Authentic Reggae-Style Tones by Michael Dawson and Gil Sharone The drum sounds employed in each subgenre of reggae are just as important to the overall vibe of the music as the distinctive grooves…
In the Studio: Making inFAMOUS
This piece originally ran in the March 2010 issue of Modern Drummer. by David Ciauro How a hot new video game inspired one of the coolest percussion-oriented soundtracks in recent memory. The video-game industry has become a major moneymaking machine. And…