drums - percussion - creative groove design

Recording music became one of my favorite parts of being a musician. I love the process of working on rhythms, sounds and - most important - the "perfect way of playing" for each an every song. 

Sound

Enjoy the following compliation of songs I recorded over the last years. 

Pholisophy & Background

I don't hear music in genres or styles. I try to catch the story, the picture and the message of a song and do my best to transport the images and feelings to the listener. So my personality, my way of hearing and all the experiences I was fortunte to make will always be part of my playing.

Until I was 19 years old I hardly played any other style than Jazz. I think for a drummer it is essential to understand Jazz and it's history. Our instument was born because of the musical needs of this style of music. Jazz though is for me not a perticular way of playing, not a matter of theoretical harmony structures or anything else. Jazz for me means the way of HOW I deal with music. Jazz is an attitude.

In my twentys I discoverd my love for playing pop music, funk and soul. In my opinion a good pop drummer is a jazz drummer who knows what NOT to play. Focussing in groove, sound and continuity is way more challenging than most of us drummers want to admit. 

At the age of 25 I was introduced to the world of indian percussion and the rhythm language Konnakol. This experience changed my whole way of hearing and playinga s well as my understanding of rhythm. I am fortunate to live in india for several months every year to learn the tradinitional way of south indian percussion from my great master and guru T.A.S. Mani. 

And though Jazz and Indian music is rhythmically highly complex it is the simplicity of "the right groove" what fascinates me. The depth of a Bass Drum, the smoothness of a cymbal and more than anything else the play between tension and release.

Rhythm, groove, beat or any system of time is an essential part of any song or music and every song deserves it's own personal rhythm. 

The Studio

Drumsets:

Gretsch Broadcaster Bass Drum 22"x14"

Sonor SQ 2 Maple 20"x16", 10"x7", 12"x8", 14"x13"

Pearl Thunderking 1960s Vintage 22"x14", 13"x9", 16"x16"

Ego Custom Drumset 22"x16", 13"x9", 16"x16"

Pearl Vision Beech 20"x16", 10"x8", 12"x9", 14"x14"

Tama Starclassic Cocktail Kit 16"x6", 10"x5", 14"x5,5"

Snare Drums:

Ludwig Supraphonic mid 1970s Model 14"x5,5"

Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute 14"x5,5"

Pearl Mahagony Limited Edition 14"x7"

Sonor D741 1965 Model 14"x5,5"

Pearl Sensitone Steel 14"x5,5"

Tama Starclassic 12"x5"

Sonor Jungle snare 10"

Vintage Picollo 13"x3,5"

Cymbals:

Zildjian K, Zildjian Constantinople, Zildjian K Custom, Zildjian Avedis

Sabian HHX, Sabian AA

Istanbul Siganture Series, Istanbul Dry Series

Bosphorus Master Vintage, Bosphorus Siganture

Anatolian Baris, Anatolian Diamont

Meinl Generation X, Meinl Byzance

Paiste 2002

Percussion:

Egyptian Darabuka

Djembe

Mridangam (traditional south indian drum)

Kanjira (traditional south indian drum)

Dholak (traditional south indian drum)

Meinl Marathon Bongos 

Meinl Louis Conte Siganture Congas

Walton Frame Drum

Wooden Djembe (Custom Modell)

Schlagwerk Cajon

Microphones:

AKG c414 XLS

AKG D12 VR

AKG D112

Shure SM58

Shure Beta 91 A

Audix i5

Bayerdynamic TGD 50 D

Sennheiser e 906

Sennheiser MD 21

EV PL 35

Rode NT 5

Preamps & Interface:

Universal Audio Apollo x16

Audient id 44

Audient ASP 880

Focusrite Saffire 40