Recording Begining Drummers

[moelar2]

What do you do when you get a recording gig and you realize the drummer is a beginner? I'm currently in a situation where the drummer does not know how to hit the drum. When he goes to make a fill, he "cheats" on his rolls and they seldom, if ever, end up sounding like a roll. It basically sounds like the guy is very unsure of what he's playing. Its sounds VERY loose.

What can I do? I know good playing is quintessential for a good recording; but - i"m sure they don't understand that. They probably expect to come out sounding like Beauford or Carrey is on drums (eventhough its not rock music; its actually Cumbia/Latin music).

What should I do? Anything I can do along the lines of recording, i.e., extra precautions?

Thanks!

 

[Track Rat]

In my experience, there is no majic "fix". If the drummer can't play at a professional level, the recording will reflect this. If he can't hit in a consistant manor, or play a decent fill, or tune his own kit, about the only thing that COULD be done is replace the drums with samples or even better the drummer himself if only for the recording with someone who can play. I've heard a drummer playing a kit and it sounded pretty unremarkable and then another drummer sit down at the very same kit and it sounded sonicly like a compltely different fantastic kit.

 

[sjjohnston]

Hmm. Maybe if you're lucky he'll trip over a stand for a movie light and break his wrist?

I suppose samples might do something if his drums just sound bad. So might tuning the drums, or getting a better drum set.

But if he just flat out can't play, I don't see how samples will make a big difference. In theory you can edit, drum-hit by drum-hit. At that point, though, it seems to me you might as well just use a drum machine and be done with it. So: (i) replace him with a better drummer, (ii) replace him with a drum machine or (iii) live with it.