April 12–13 | 10AM–6PM | $795

Join heavy-hitting pop-punk producer and engineer Kyle Black at Sweetwater Studios for a two-day drum recording masterclass! Known for his work with Paramore, Plain White T’s, All Time Low, Pierce the Veil, New Found Glory, Taking Back Sunday, State Champs, Point North, and Comeback Kid, Kyle is a driving force behind the massive sounds of those bands.

Over two days in Studio A, Kyle will cover all aspects of drum recording, including everything from understanding drum tuning, drum setup, and mic placement to inspiring great performances and knowing when and how to use outboard processing all the way through mixing. He’ll break down his methods of editing, sample replacement, and augmenting drums for the best-sounding final product!

April 12–13 | 10AM–6PM | $795

Join heavy-hitting pop-punk producer and engineer Kyle Black at Sweetwater Studios for a two-day drum recording masterclass! Known for his work with Paramore, Plain White T’s, All Time Low, Pierce the Veil, New Found Glory, Taking Back Sunday, State Champs, Point North, and Comeback Kid, Kyle is a driving force behind the massive sounds of those bands.

Over two days in Studio A, Kyle will cover all aspects of drum recording, including everything from understanding drum tuning, drum setup, and mic placement to inspiring great performances and knowing when and how to use outboard processing all the way through mixing. He’ll break down his methods of editing, sample replacement, and augmenting drums for the best-sounding final product!

TOPICS & TECHNIQUES WE’LL COVER

Choosing Drums

The difference between the various metals and woods, depths, diameters, and hoop types of drums — why and how to choose the right drum for the song
Drumhead selection — the difference between coated and clear drumheads and number of plies and how to choose the right head for the situation
Drum damping methods and variations — gels, tape, weights, etc., and why, when, and how to use them
Drum tuning — to tune the key of a song or NOT to tune to the key of a song, as well as types of tuning for different genres
Drumsticks choice (often overlooked but very important to the sound and performance!)
Choosing the right cymbals for the song — the difference between sizes, lines, and brands and how make the right choice for the player and song

Setting Up

Drum positioning and height
Go-to mic choices and positioning
When and why to use outboard processing
Choosing drum hardware
Isolation techniques at the source

Communication

Inspiring the best possible performance
How to give constructive criticism to a drummer
Creating drum parts and various voices to fit a song
Keeping a session moving along and not getting hung up

Editing/Comping/Mixing

Playlisting vs. punching
To grid or not to grid
When and why to implement drum sample reinforcement and drum replacement
Plug-ins, compression, EQ, saturation, and mix

A Learning Opportunity Unlike Any Other

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Paul Gilbert

Richie Faulkner

Sweetwater Studios recording workshops and masterclasses are unique chances to learn directly from the movers and shakers in the world of professional audio production. All of our classes are small by design, allowing you, the student, to interact directly with the legends of our industry. Our in-depth sessions are are informative and fun and give you unprecedented access into the world of audio production that no video or online course can match. We have welcomed such industry icons as Chris Lord-Alge, Michael Brauer, Paul Gilbert, Richie Faulkner, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Mike Miller, Rhonda Smith, and Bootsy Collins, just to name a few. Don’t miss out! Sign up today for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.