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.
Product Close-Up: Meinl Signature Ride Cymbals (From the January 2014 Issue)
by Michael Dawson In addition to its vast and diverse catalog of stock models, Meinl also offers an array of rides designed in collaboration with key endorsing artists who represent a wide range of playing styles and who have particularly…
Product Close-Up: TRX CRX Series Cymbals (From the January 2014 Issue)
by Michael Dawson The California-based TRX offers a full range of Turkish-made cymbals for the contemporary drummer. Earlier this year, the company launched a new collection of lower-cost B20 cymbals, which are made in China. This line, called CRX, comprises…
Product Close-Up: Gretsch Renown RN1 Drumset (December 2013 Issue)
by Michael Dawson The Renown series was devised to offer working drummers a sturdy, tour-ready kit with all the classic Gretsch appointments (30-degree bearing edges, die-cast hoops, rock maple shells), for a more manageable price. This year, the company overhauled…
Product Close-Up: Paiste Signature Precision Cymbals (November 2013 Issue)
In April 2013, Paiste launched the Signature Precision series, which is designed to capture all of the distinguished character and sophistication of the renowned Signature series in a more wallet-friendly package. The Precision line uses the same proprietary Signature…
Product Close-Up: Canopus 8x14 Zelkova Snare Drum (November 2013 Issue)
Japanese drum maker Canopus’s flagship snare, the Zelkova, features a thick 14 mm solid shell made from 200-year-old zelkova redwood. To eliminate the potential for cracking, Canopus dries the wood for three years, until it reaches a moisture content of…
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…
It’s Questionable: Technology Corner: Room Mics (October 2013 Issue)
by John Emrich A lot of people don’t understand how to capture a good room tone, and most people with a home studio don’t have the type of room that will have a sound worth capturing. A large, warm-sounding room…
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…
Product Close-Up: Ludwig Classic Maple Drumset
October 2013 Product Close-Up Ludwig Classic Maple Drumset by Michael Dawson Ludwig drums are widely regarded as the sound that defined rock ’n’ roll, thanks in large part to their close association with ’60s/’70s superstars like the Beatles’ Ringo Starr…
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.…
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…
Electronic Insights: Minimal Miking Techniques
May 2013 Electronic Insights Minimal Miking Techniques One-, Two-, and Three-Mic Setups for a More Natural Sound by Mark Parsons Whether you use the term “minimal,” “organic,” “old school,” or “vintage,” there’s definitely a renewed interest in capturing that…
Tim “Yogi??? Watts of Demon Hunter
Hi, everyone. I’m Tim “Yogi” Watts, drummer for the metal band Demon Hunter. I’ve been reading Modern Drummer since I was a kid, and I am so honored to get the chance to share a little bit about myself with…