Welcome to Amen Studio – A Dreamy Indie Pop Session
At Amen Studio in the heart of Bristol, we recently wrapped up a dreamy Indie Pop drum recording session that ticked all the right sonic boxes: smooth textures, steady grooves, and gear that would make any drummer or engineer geek out. The track, clocking in at 116 BPM and just over 3 minutes long, needed a warm, nostalgic yet modern feel — think Parcels with a dash of vintage soul.
The drums were recorded with a distinctively hands-on, modular approach. Every element was played separately — kick, snare, hi-hats — giving us total control during mixing and editing. It’s a method that walks the line between programmed precision and human feel. And yes, it’s as fun (and slightly disorienting) as it sounds. Turns out your left foot is more dependent on your right hand than you think.
For anyone seeking an online session drummer who can bring that balance of precision and personality, this project was a shining example of what’s possible when grooves meet craftsmanship.
The Drum Kit & Cymbals That Brought It to Life
The heartbeat of the session was a 1965 Ludwig Super Classic kit — a four-piece setup that’s seen a thousand stages and still punches like a heavyweight. With a 22″ kick, 13″ tom, and 16″ floor tom, it was perfectly suited for the genre. The kick had just the right amount of punch and ‘squish’ thanks to a slightly de-tuned lug and smart muffling.
On snare duties was the legendary Ludwig Supraphonic (14×5, 1970s Olive Badge). This snare has been behind more hit records than we’ve had hot dinners. Tuned low and treated with a bit of cloth, it delivered that fat, smooth ‘smoosh’ we were chasing.
For cymbals, we leaned into character and class with Zildjian Avedis 14” hi-hats, a Zildjian A Fast Crash 16”, and a K Zildjian Constantinople 22” medium ride — all of which added shimmer without stealing the spotlight. Check them out here.
If you’re looking for session drummers for hire with an ear for tone and a love of detail, this setup shows just how effective the right tools in the right hands can be.
Mics, Preamps, and That “Wurst” Mic
Mic selection was no joke. The Shure SM57 (link) did its classic snare thing, while the AKG D12 VR (link) gave the kick its low-end depth and definition. Room ambience was captured with Coles 4038 ribbons (link), Lauten Audio Horizons (link), and Beyerdynamic MC 930s (link) — a silky combo.
The sleeper hit? A single MC 930 placed in the middle of the kit, lovingly dubbed the “wurst” mic. Run through a Level-Or and API 550A, it delivered a thick, crunchy midrange that became the glue for the entire kit.
All mics fed into Daking Audio IV (link) and Focusrite ISA 828 (link) preamps — because tone starts before you hit record. It’s all part of what makes a remote session drummer setup just as potent and punchy as tracking live in the room.
Mixing Magic & Final Touches
In the mix, we sprinkled in some light kick and snare samples to help them pop just a little more — not to take over, but to sit just right in the track. Think online session drums with that slightly electronic polish.
Flex Time helped align a few wayward hits to the grid without stealing the groove. The result? A pocket-tight, radio-ready Indie Pop drum part with vibe for days.
Whether you’re hunting for the best session drummer to bring your tracks to life or a studio drummer for hire who understands feel as much as fidelity, Amen Studio is your spot. We believe that top session drummers don’t just play — they elevate the song. And that’s exactly what we love to do.