Setting the Groove at Amen Studio
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of a fresh funk track in the works—especially when it’s coming to life inside Amen Studio, right in the heart of Bristol. We’ve just wrapped another online session drummer project, and this one brought the groove, the grit, and just the right amount of glitter.
This track had all the vibes of a late-night dancefloor filler: funk-driven, full of bounce, and sitting pretty at a cool 119 BPM. The mood? Joyful with a hint of restlessness—imagine strutting down the street with headphones blasting, a skip in your step, and Chromeo in your ears. Yep, that’s the energy. The song’s root was D, and the runtime hit the sweet spot at 3 minutes and 31 seconds.
The Drum Setup: Vintage Meets Modern
To give this track the right kind of backbone, we rolled out the big guns—our vintage Ludwig Super Classic 1965 kit. With a 22” bass drum, 13” tom, and 16” floor tom, this four-piece legend is as versatile as it is punchy. Originally a go-to setup for gigging drummers, it’s still every bit the powerhouse in the studio. You can learn more about this timeless kit here.
The snare was no slouch either: a 1970s Ludwig Supraphonic, tuned low with one lug detuned to get that buzzy, long-resonating ring that just screams funk. Bright, crisp, and dripping with attitude—it gave the track the exact snap it needed for a professional drum recording session.
On the cymbal front, we kept it classic with Zildjian: 14” Avedis hi-hats, a 16” A Fast Crash, and the buttery 22” K Constantinople ride. Balanced and expressive, they helped shape the track’s character without ever overpowering it. Dive into their full cymbal range here.
Capturing the Sound: Microphones, Tuning & Tracking
Mic’ing drums is equal parts technique and instinct. For this session, we paired Coles 4038 ribbon mics as room mics to capture lush low-end warmth. At the kick, Lauten Audio Horizon tube mics gave us both thump and space. Tom duties went to Heil PR31 BWs, while the classic Shure SM57 handled the snare with confidence.
This remote session was part of our growing demand for online session drums, where artists send in tracks from anywhere in the world, and we bring them to life right here in the studio. A true bonus of working with a remote session drummer!
Tuning was dialled in using the Tune Bot, with the snare locked to E. We used Remo Ambassador Vintage Coated heads, offering warmth, control, and a sweet midrange presence (head details here).
Kick and snare were tracked first, then layered with hi-hats and percussion separately. This allowed for maximum flexibility—ideal for the kind of clean, controlled sound a studio drummer for hire needs to deliver.
Mixing, Magic, and the Final Take
With the drums tracked, it was time to sprinkle some studio magic. Room mics went through Empirical Labs Distressors and Neve 1073 EQs for a rich, smooth finish. We subtly blended in kick and snare samples to reinforce key frequencies without stealing the show.
A little Flex Time in Logic Pro helped everything sit tight in the pocket—giving that polished, radio-ready finish modern funk demands. Out of all the performances, Take 4 was the standout: tight, expressive, and full of life.
We’re proud to count ourselves among the top session drummers working today. Whether you’re looking for session drummers for hire, a one-off funk groove, or consistent high-end tracking, Amen Session Drummer is here to make your music pop. Our best session drummer services offer the blend of personality and professionalism that turns good tracks into great ones.
So, whether you’re looking for a session drummer who grooves hard or a full-service online session drums experience, we’ve got your back—and your beat.