Recently session drummer and eDrumSessions founder Shay Godwin played at an an event featuring Country music industry luminaries, including Dolly Parton.
Here are a couple of pics of session drummer Shay Godwin with Parton:
Session drummer Shay Godwin provides drum tracks online to clients worldwide. For his online drum tracks and for all recording sessions he has control over, Bell Sound in Hollywood is the place to go. Session drummer and string quartet alike enjoy the large, Vincent Van Haaf-designed tracking room. Drum tracks exhibit separation and clarity. eDrumSessions is a full service online recording studio, ready for online drum tracks, guitar tracks, bass tracks, string tracks, pedal steel tracks, lap steel tracks, horn tracks, vocal tracks, mixing, mastering, and anything else you could need. We have top quality session drummers available, as well as session guitarists and any other instrument you need. Let eDrumSessions.com give your music the life you envision. It starts with the drum tracks!
In the video below, session drummer and eDrumSessions founder Shay Godwin tracks some brushes in Los Angeles for a client in Australia. The client was able to produce the session in real time from Australia, through the use of NiceCast. NiceCast allows our clients to listen live to recording sessions from anywhere, at no extra charge. Communicating with us via Skype, iChat, or phone, clients are able to produce sessions and get exactly what they need in drum tracks or anything.
eDrumSessions is a full online recording studio offering a wide range of services.
These services include drum tracks, grand piano tracks, vocal tracks, guitar, keys, strings, horns, pedal steel, lap steel, mixing, mastering, everything you could need.
eDrumSessions.com provides studio services to clients worldwide from Los Angeles. Of course some clients are right in L.A., including Universal Music Group.
In the below video, session drummer Shay Godwin (founder of eDrumSessions) records drum tracks for a Universal library called “Killer Tracks.”
Since this client is in Los Angeles, he came to our recording studio to produce this session. However, even if you are on the other side of the planet you can produce sessions in real time at eDrumSessions. Through the use of NiceCast, our clients can listen in on the recording session live from anywhere in the world (no extra fee for this sevice) and communicate via Skype, iChat, or phone. This is like being in the control room with engineer Thai Long Ly; you can produce the recording session in real time. We encourage this as it keeps the communication high and ensures total satisfaction. Most online recording studios do not offer this option, usually going for a “keep the client at arm’s length” approach.
For clients who do not wish to or cannot schedule a remote recording session, we usually do three takes of a song to give the composer some options. Of course if a chart is sent that is adhered to. This online recording studio is full of professionals of all flavors, and we have musicians that can read fly paper.
The eDrumSessions recording studio is outfitted with top notch gear all around. Vintage Neve 8232 console, modern outboard pres such as the brilliant Geoff Daking models, the most amazing mic locker you could imagine. The tracking room is a masterpiece, designed by the masterful Vincent Van Haaf. Haaf designed the tracking rooms at the legendary Conway Studios.
eDrumSessions.com online recording studio service has moved to an amazing new facility!
This place has a vintage Neve 8232 console, and super high-end outboard gear. You won’t find another online recording studio with this kind of gear.
The microphone locker is a dream. We’re talking multiple vintage FETs and tube mics! RCA 77s, Neumann U87s, not to mention a whole bunch of Royers, Coles, Gefells, on and on. There simply are no other online recording studios that have these kind of mics available for use.
The perfectly tuned rooms were designed by a top studio designer whose name cannot be mentioned here to prevent anyone from figuring which studio eDrumSessions is now using.
Why is the name of the new eDrumSessions online recording studio facility confidential?
Because the owner understandably doesn’t want these low prices associated with his recording studio!
People pay *top dollar* at this studio. You are fortunate enough to have found online access to this studio at a fraction of the price you would pay to be there.
Combine all this with access to L.A.’s finest studio musicians, any instrument you need whatsoever, and you have a winning combination. Let eDrumSessions.com take care of all of your online recording studio needs.
It can be difficult to decide precisely when to record drum tracks for your project in relation to the other instruments.
Drums are recorded either first or last most of the time, so I want to address these two options specifically.
There are arguments for both choices, and I think either can be a good one. The point is to understand the options so you can decide what is best for your music.
Why not just record all of the instruments at the same time?
In a perfect world, many composers and songwriters would prefer to rent a studio capable of recording multiple instruments (think inputs, separation, etc.) live, with thoroughly rehearsed musicians ready to record as an ensemble.
In the real world, this process is too expensive and impractical for today’s budgets.
The intimidating prospect of paying and organizing the schedules of multiple session musicians (for rehearsals as well as recording), and paying by the minute for a for a well-equiped studio, leads many to record instruments separately.
Let’s explore the option of recording the drum tracks first.
If your arrangement has been worked out during pre-production, you can have the drummer read a chart or listen to MIDI drum parts you have created.
However if your process is going to be more “organic” and you are not entirely sure what the arrangement will be, it is important to have the session drummer play with space. That way you can have room sonically to let the other session musicians come up with great parts.
You don’t want to have a busy drum track that doesn’t leave space for a great vocal lick or Wurlitzer melody you may come up with later.
Some people like to record as they write, which is not for me to promote or criticize.
The point is, if you record the drums first and don’t have your arrangement fully thought out, the drum parts need to be spacious for the benefit of your process.
There are obvious advantages to recording drums first. Certainly session musicians feel more inspired tracking to drums rather than just click and a loop or programmed drum part. Performances are likely to be more energetic that way.
When drums are recorded first, everyone gets to play to the specific drummer’s pocket. If every musician tracks to click that means it is all in time — but the music can be more in the pocket if drums are recorded first for all to track to.
There are also advantages to recording drum tracks last.
The big one is the opportunity for maximum musicality from the drummer, in terms of the actual parts.
A great session drummer can really shape your composition, as well as accentuate subtleties. Both of these concepts can be achieved more easily when the drummer tracks to the (mostly) finished product.
When tracking last, the drummer can accentuate big guitar hits that were not present earlier in the process, or add some nice subtle interplay to vocal riffs during an outro.
These are the types of things that listeners associate with tight, well-rehearsed musicians. Recording drum tracks last can “trick” the listener into thinking they are hearing a live recording of musicians who have performed the material many times.
Essentially, the more information the session drummer gets from what he hears, the more specifically musical he can be.
You can weigh these options and decide what is best for your music. Good luck and make sure you enjoy what you are doing regardless of your logistic decisions.
Testimonials From Just a Few of Our Happy Clients:
"Hey
Shay, this is Andrew. I just wanted to give you a call
and let you know everything worked out great with your
drum tracks.
And,
actually, the guy who mixed them even asked me who I got
to play on them and I told him about you.
He
said whoever engineered them did a great job recording them.
Just thought you’d like to know."
Andrew Synoweic
"Shay
Godwin is an amazing drummer with an instinctual approach
to music rarely encountered today.
Every time I work with him in the studio I’m amazed at how quickly
he locks in, and how great his drum sounds are."
– Ken Andrews:
songwriter/producer/mixer;
founding member of the groundbreaking group Failure;
producing/mixing credits include: Charlotte Martin,
A Perfect Circle,
Tenacious D,
Chris Cornell,
Nacho Libre Soundtrack,
Pete Yorn,
Jimmy Eat World
"Shay
is one of the most talented drummers I’ve ever had the pleasure
of working with. He is a real musician that plays with taste,
incredible feeling, and he is amazingly versatile in his
styles. "
– Charlotte Martin
founder, Dinosaur Fight Records
"Shay
is a true professional – He is solid, has great feel and
great tone – One need look no further."
– Ty Stevens
Warner/Chappell staff songwriter;
wrote “Rock This World” and was Musical Director for Hillary
Duff (Hollywood Records);
M.D. for Jennifer Pena, Daniel Rene (Univision);
wrote music for Disney, Verve, Universal, artists Mindi Abair;
Musical Consultant for Aly & AJ (Hollywood Records);
guitarist for Mandy Moore, countless other credits
"Shay
Godwin is one of the top session drummers I’ve had the pleasure
of working with. He’s a one take wonder, which is great in
the studio because time is money. Shay was extremely professional,
and well prepared. He has killer sounding drums, and was
able to give me all kinds of snare tones to choose from.
We will be working together for many years. "
– Jay Ruston
Producer/Engineer/Mixer, credits include Brian Wilson, The
Donnas, Abandoned Pools, Dianna Ross, American Idol,
Morrissey, Polyphonic Spree, Meatloaf
"Shay
has an attention to detail while working on parts in a song
combined with keeping it simple and soulful. His vast knowledge
of musical styles and professionalism in getting the job
done in a timely manner is why I love to work with him."
– Buck Johnson:
co-wrote the single “Just Feel Better” for Carlos Santana’s
album “All That I Am” featuring Steven Tyler of Aerosmith
;
keys/vocals/guitar with country act Whiskey Falls;
vocalist/keyboardist with the following artists: The Doobie
Brothers (backing vocals on “Rockin’ Down the Highway”-Live
CD-1996), Tal Bachman (backing vocals and Keys of Columbia
Records debut album -’99, Timothy B. Schmit (of The Eagles,
his solo CD 2000-backing vocals and keys), Matthew Sweet
(touring keys and backing vocals and “Best Of Matthew Sweet
CD), Shawn Mullins (touring -2000), and John Waite
"Hey
Shay, I wanted to say thanks again & great job in the studio
sessions for the BFD XFL. You really did a top job covering
the various brush strokes, and a lot of composers have told
me they’ve been featured in many TV shows and movies! All
the best! "
– Steve Duda:
creator of the BFD Premium Drum Module, credits include:
Nine Inch Nails – Fragile – Percussion, Violin, Programming,
Choir, Chorus;
Pitchshifter – Deviant – Programming, Editing;
Pitchshifter – Bootlegged Distorted Remixed Uploaded – Producer;
Rob Zombie – American Made Music to Strip By – Remix;
Methods of Mayhem – Methods of Mayhem – Programming; A Perfect
Circle – Thirteenth Step – Digital Engineer
"I
tried some other online drummers, you are by far the best."
– Luke, Germany
"Your
process is great. The three takes is a perfect way to make
sure it works. Your tracks sound great. I was very happy
with the process.
You and Thai Long were awesome. Your professionalism and enthusiasm,
not to mention skill at your craft made this perfect."
– Craig Campbell, Detroit, USA
"I
was totally blown away by the quality of the recording. By
comparison with other drum recordings I have heard (some
of them by other online drum recording services), your unprocessed
tracks are close to the processed tracks I have heard!
Your drumming during the chorus clearly sets it aside in terms
of energy from the verse parts, something that I find important.
Your playing supports the song and even inspires me with ideas
to improve it. Upright Bass, anyone?"
– Henrique Pataca, Portugal
"Shay,
just a quick email to let you know that I’m very happy with
the drums tracks! They’re well recorded and the performances
are great! A pleasure to mix! More to come for you soon."
– Gyom, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
"Nice
fills and some cool grooves dude! Exactly what I was looking
for!!! All three takes sound great. I think my favourite
is track 2 but I might incorporate some bits of the other
takes into it as well."
– Ramon McDrury, Sydney, Australia
"Hi
Shay, the takes are perfect, exactly what I was after and
played with real passion, thanks so much!"
– Owen Duff, London, UK
"I
can’t decide which version I like best, all three are great.
I think take 3 is again most powerful, straight but still
sophisticated, which I like cause I really want powerful,
driving bass and drums carrying the song but played intelligent."
– Luke, Germany
"Shay!
You nailed it! Great work. You were right. I have ‘inevitable
glee’. You played exactly what I imagined! I’m sure putting
together a mix with your drums will be easy, but you make
it hard to decide which takes I want to use…
I just wanted to thank you both for spending the extra time to
nail down these tracks. You really nailed these tracks and inspire
me with your playing. I’m really honored to have you guys work
on this stuff and grateful."
eDrumSessions Podcast: