Cacophonous – A Funk Session with Amen Session Drummer

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of capturing a song that moves. Our latest online session drummer project, “Cacophonous,” was a funk-fuelled ride recorded right here at Amen Studio in Bristol, UK — a tune bursting with happy, restless energy and sitting snugly at a lively 122 BPM in the key of D.

This track took inspiration from modern funk visionaries like Cory Wong, with its snappy grooves and crisp, pocket-driven drumming. But like every Amen session, it came alive through a blend of vintage gear, careful tuning, and a good dose of coffee-fuelled experimentation.

Whether you’re a band, producer, or songwriter looking for professional online session drums, Amen Studio brings that same energy to your project — no matter where you’re based.

For this session, the star of the show was a 1965 Ludwig Super Classic kit — a true vintage beauty and a staple in drumming history. Compact, punchy, and endlessly musical, the Super Classic is known for its ability to jump between genres effortlessly. You can check out more about this timeless design at ludwig-drums.com.

The snare duties were handled by the Keith Carlock Gretsch Signature Snare — a brass shell with just the right amount of dryness and a gorgeous aged patina. This drum packs a classy snap without ever getting harsh. Details on this modern classic can be found at gretschdrums.com.

On the cymbal front, a family of Zildjian favorites delivered that shimmering top end:
15” Kerope hi-hats, a 16” A Fast Crash, a 22” K Constantinople ride, and a 20” Kerope ride. You can explore this golden lineup over at zildjian.com.

As a remote session drummer, having the right instruments ready to adapt to any style is crucial — and this setup delivered exactly the right blend of vintage tone and modern punch.

Every great recording starts with great tuning. Using the Tune-Bot, we dialed in the kit with surgical precision — the snare at 299 Hz, the 13” tom at 200 Hz, and the 16” floor tom at 134 Hz. The kick drum got special attention: tuned down to a satisfyingly slappy 62 Hz, dampened with two heavy books and a pillow for that deep, tight funk thud.

Remo Ambassador Vintage Coated heads were the secret weapon for the toms, offering a perfect mix of sensitivity, warmth, and durability. If you’re a tone chaser, you’ll want to check these out at remo.com.

The session was captured using a carefully chosen mic lineup. The Advanced Audio CM47ve added depth and richness; the Beyerdynamic MC 930s provided crisp, transparent overheads; and Heil PR 31 BWs handled the punchy details.

Front-end tone came courtesy of Daking Audio IV and Focusrite ISA 828 preamps — both delivering warm British console flavor. More info at daking.com and focusrite.com.

Every session drummer knows that tone and tuning are the heart of a performance — and for “Cacophonous,” the kit sang with clarity and groove.

After several fiery takes, the final drum performance was assembled using Logic Pro’s comping tools — with the last take forming the backbone and a few standout fills dropped in for flavor. A touch of Flex Time (about 70%) helped tighten the backbeat while keeping that organic feel alive.

For processing, the snare ran through an API 550A EQ and a Portico 5043 compressor, adding just the right polish to sit proudly in the mix. The goal was simple: keep the drums punchy and forward, but never overpowering. Smart EQ carving around the snare allowed the rest of the track to breathe and bounce naturally.

“Cacophonous” was all about finding balance — between control and energy, precision and playfulness. Funk drumming thrives on that sweet spot where everything feels effortless but is meticulously crafted.

At Amen Session Drummer, we work with artists around the world as session drummers for hire, bringing creative energy and precision to every track.

If your next song needs that same groove-driven spark, get in touch — we’re always ready to lay down the beat.

If you have a song and want the raw energy of live drums contact Gavin today.