Whiskey Ridge Recording We have sent 10 questions regarding the performance of "Thumper" Custom Drums in their individual studio settings. Here are some answers. What are the primary elements you expect from any drum in your studio and did Thumper Custom Drums meet those requirements? I would expect the drum to work well mechanically, i.e., the heads ‘seat’ nicely and hardware is solid, facilitating tuning, as needed. The Thumper drums I’ve worked with give me those qualities and speed up the process of arriving at a solid, recordable sound that is excellent. When recording with Thumper Custom Drums do you have to use studio tricks such as triggering, gating or digital editing? Happily, ‘triggering’ from samples is virtually a non-issue simply because the drums that John has worked on provide the substance and sound that a competent drummer can then use to perform at studio level. Gating and editing are far less necessary, as well. Are the drums easy to tune and keep in tune for the duration of the session? Thumper drums actually make tuning fun because you get good results faster when a drum is set up correctly. There is far less confusion in the tuning process and they stay in tune longer, too. Is it necessary to use dampeners like tape, gel or pillows when working with Thumper Custom Drums, or do they sound good naturally? If they are needed at all, its really “less is more” regarding tape, gel, etc., when you’ve got an open, natural sounding kit, and Thumper drums have got it! Can you talk about microphone techniques and how they effect the sound of Thumper Custom Drums? You definitely want to get the best overhead set-up going that you can because the drums John works on deliver tone that travels well! We have heard from a number of engineers that it's quick and easy to dial in the sound with Thumper Custom Drums. Do you find that to be true? Absolutely! I’ll say it again … when the drums are set up right, mechanically, you get from zero to excellent sound much faster and with way less frustration. Do Thumper Custom Drums sound good in the studio with different types of drumheads? For example, do the rack toms sound better with an Emperor two ply or an Ambassador single ply head? To be honest, I have only worked with two kits that have been “Thumperized” and both those had Aquarian heads all around and have worked well. What artists have used Thumper Custom Drums at your studio lately? & their comments, any web site info or links that they would like to share with us. Ron Rudge has been in with his vintage Ludwig kit that John did extensive work on, and that kit is a dream to record. The other kit is Slingerland, primarily, and while it’s a ‘work-in-progress’ at this point, I have had Stacey Dreyer of The Dreyer Brothers use the Bass Drum & High Tom inserted into his setup recently to round out the sound for recording. Do you have any new techniques or tricks that you would like to share with us? On the drums, I’m enjoying mid-side micing as an overhead image (stereo) for drums and it’s a cool way to get it done. It does help to have a mic pre that does mid-side, however. What kind of new innovations would you like to see from a custom drum manufacturer? As good as they are, John, how about some motorized lugs that, once calibrated for optimal tuning tension with a given head, maintain tuning all by themselves! I’m waiting … If you would like to talk to a professional from this studio please email markhibbert@verizon.net Whiskey
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