Setting the Scene: Grit, Groove, and Grunge in Bristol
There’s nothing quite like the raw, defiant energy of a grungy rock track to shake things up in the studio—and that’s exactly what we got to work with on a recent session here at Amen Studio in Bristol. The track? Until It’s Done. The vibe? Pure attitude. Think Audioslave-style grit meets modern low-end punch, all wrapped up in 4 minutes and 39 seconds of suspense and sweat.
Working as an online session drummer, we collaborated with the artist entirely remotely, laying down professional drum tracks that fit the production like a well-worn leather jacket. It’s just one of the many ways our Bristol-based studio brings big sound to projects from all over the world.
Tools of the Trade: Gear That Brought the Thunder
The Kit
We pulled out the Ludwig Super Classic 1965 Vintage—a classic four-piece that brought that warm, punchy character we love. The 22″ kick had a lug detuned for extra slap, the toms were tuned for maximum cut, and the snare—our Keith Carlock Gretsch Signature Snare—had just the right dryness and brightness to sit on top of the mix. Gretsch Drums
Cymbals
The cymbal setup included a rich mix of Zildjian instruments:
- 14” Avedis hi-hats
- 16” A Fast Crash
- 18” Kerope Crash
- 22” Constantinople Medium Ride
This combo offered attack, wash, and shimmer—everything we needed. Zildjian
Tuning
Thanks to Tune Bot, tuning was spot-on:
- Snare: G
- 13″ Tom: A
- 16″ Floor Tom: D
Our setup is designed for flexibility across genres, perfect for anyone searching for online session drums that don’t sound like presets. Every sound was shaped with intention.
Mic Magic & Mix Tricks: Engineering the Drum Sound
This was no “throw up a mic and pray” kind of session. We carefully selected mics to capture every nuance:
- Overheads: Advanced Audio CM47ve for that U47-style warmth
- Room Mics: Coles 4038 ribbons for natural room tone
- Kick/Snare Top: Lauten Audio Horizon tube mics—punchy and full
- Hi-Hats & Snare Bottom: Beyerdynamic MC 930—clean and crisp
We ran signals through Daking Audio IV and Focusrite ISA 828 preamps for analog warmth and clarity. Daking | Focusrite
As a remote session drummer, it’s crucial to get tones that feel studio-crafted, even when tracking from a distance. We added just one snare sample for extra cut and used subtle Flex Time to dial in a tight, radio-ready groove. One mic (the humble SM57, aka “The Wurst”) ran through an API EQ and Levelor compressor for a spicy midrange punch.
The Performance: Guts, Ghost Notes & Groove
The performance was all about dynamics and control. Grace notes in the verses had to sit just right under steady hi-hats. The backbeat needed to hit hard but not feel robotic. Thankfully, our session drummer came prepared—after a few days of refining the parts, the second-to-last take nailed it.
Whether it’s classic rock or modern grunge, having access to top-tier session drummers for hire makes all the difference. This track gave us the chance to blend feel, tone, and engineering finesse into something we’re proud of—and that the client loved.
Got a track that needs drums with attitude?
Whether you’re after online session drums for your next single or a full-band project, Amen Session Drummer delivers the sound, feel, and experience—remotely and reliably. Tell us about your song.