Gavin Harrison here!

[Gibbersticks]

BUT PLEASE: Don't ask him personal band internas or opinions about other drummers, you will not get an answer on the forum - for good reason. That's also the reason, why so few drummers frequent forums.


I didn't ask him for his opinion on Chris Maitland, I was sticking up for him as I think he was awesome with PT. I really didn't expect an answer about why Chris left the band, call it curiousity!

I also agree that for someone of Gavins stature to make himself available to the masses like this just adds to his reputation. If only more Pros could take the time to do the same.

Cheers
Daniel

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,
I just finished reading Kenny Werners "Effortless Mastery." Could you give me some insight into what you came away with, from this obviously intelligent and thought provoking book. Thanks, Take care and God bless.

MM

[Timbo]

Jippiiiiiiii Gavin will come to Germany , Frankfurt

I will be first in line :)
Hmmm is there a chance to met you after the show to get an autograph on my Rhymtmic Vision DVD or PT-CD ? :) :)

Would be great !

Nice Greetings to the master and all other musicians :)

Timbo


P.s. the drums on the new album F.O.B.P. are awesome.
Nice double bass licks . Pro-Metal-drummers will be jealous when they listen to it :)

[glen thomas]

Hey Gavin,
I just finished reading Kenny Werners "Effortless Mastery." Could you give me some insight into what you came away with, from this obviously intelligent and thought provoking book. Thanks, Take care and God bless.

MM

I've not heard of this book. I see that it's highly recommended but how does it help out a drummer for example?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Midnite Mike & Glen Thomas,
It's a great read - and I can't really do it justice by summarising it in a couple of sentences..but the main thing that I got from reading "Effortless Mastery" was that I could mentally relax more about trying to sound good. Laugh off mistakes and not fear them. It was just a change in attitude about performance especially regarding improvising.

Hi Timbo,
yes I'll be there - probably the best place to find me is at the Sonor stand.

Cheers
Gavin

[glen thomas]

Hi Midnite Mike & Glen Thomas,
It's a great read - and I can't really do it justice by summarising it in a couple of sentences..but the main thing that I got from reading "Effortless Mastery" was that I could mentally relax more about trying to sound good. Laugh off mistakes and not fear them. It was just a change in attitude about performance especially regarding improvising.


I already laugh at my playing so I've got a good head start.. |0| :-)
I'll definetly pick the book up. It sounds interesting.
Thanks Gavin

[Ogg]

I honestly do not think you're aware of how cool your accessibility is Gavin. Thanks again for taking the time to reply to us mortals. I'm a proficient practising drummer for over twenty years and pretty much have my six piece set up to perfection...but now I have three (very different) splash cymbals to the left of my hats, lets say it's getting there but thanks again for the inspiration.
I'd have to agree that your presence has raised PT to a whole new level, somewhat reassuring to find an album's release thoroughly encircled on one's calender and awaited with genuine anticiapation. I'm holding a rather smokey listening party in honour of the album's release...first I've held since 'Vapor Trails'!
Of course you're invited mate...:)

Nice post Diane, the driving 'chick in North Carolina..' I listen to PT non-stop on my mp3 player when I'm delivering the royal mail, here in a very wet england '.3' (from IAbs) being the current fav' :).

[lifeisalldynamics]

Hi Gavin,

thanks for the musikmesse-info, I'm looking forward to your performance there as much as to the new PT-album, I'm trying to avoid listening to any snippets on the net as i very much like to stretch the time of anticipated joy and I'm sure it will be worth waiting for the 'whole package'.

Cheers, Maren

[mr_hayward_99]

hi gavin

i recently got your rythmic illusions video and it is a great inspiration. it introduces all those wicked ideas/conecepts in a real good style/way. i definatly want to get your book to help inforce those ideas on the video.

just a quick question and i hope you have not answered this before, i have had a browse through and could not find it

on the dvd (rythmic illusion) you use a silver snare drum (you use this the marority of the time) which looks like it is a 13". you you possibly tell me what drum it was because it sounds amazing.

thanks for you time

tom

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mr_hayward_99,
thanks for the message. I think you may have the name of the DVD wrong. There's two DVDs "Rhythmic Visions" and the new one "Rhythmic Horizons".

I think you're confusing it with the name of my first book "Rhythmic Illusions" (easily done as all my stuff is Rhythmic This and Rhythmic That). I imagine you're talking about the white snare drum with silver specks in it? If that's the one you mean - it is a 12x5 Sonor Designer.

Cheers
Gavin

[dannypenalver]

Hi!
Yes you guys are right this guy is good!
I like the fact that he plays not only with sticks,but with his mind and a very big musical sense of rhythm.Thats what I really like!
And It's great to know that english drummers like Gavin,Neil Wilkinson,Etc are getting a known position in the drum world!
And his spotless match grip technique!! not to miss!
keep it up Gavin!!

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,
I've been listening to the studio albums and the live performances of PT for sometime now and i'm curious about something. I understand that you like to "mix it up" in your live performances, i.e.: drums fills, overriding, etc. which i love to hear, and i understand. Who wants to hear or play the same damn fills every single night? My question is: When you sit down to record for the albums, what is the deciding factor about what fills get put in and what fills get left out? Its obvious that you have a large selection from your arsenal, so where is the line drawn? Thanks, take care and God bless.

MM

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi dannypenalver,
thanks for the kind words.

Hi Midnite Mike,
I try to just play fills that come to me on the spot rather than drawing on an arsenal of fills - although those ones seep through sometimes. If my mind is in the right place for the song and the arrangement - I hopefully would find a fill that's right for that moment. It has to have some musical sense to it rather than just a 'show off your chops' based thing just for the hell of it. I suppose it's quite an instinctive thing - where to put a fill - and what type of fill - I think a lot of it comes down to the character and personality of the drummer.

Cheers
Gavin

[dwpaddy]

hi gavin.

just thought i'd say how much i enjoyed your interview with Mike Dolbear....very informative.

also, look forward to seeing you in Wolverhampton in April.

carry on.


DWP

[dannypenalver]

Hi Gavin
I was just wondering if you would be coming to Spain with Porcupine Tree.So I could see you perform live with the rest of the band.
Oh! by the way if you're doing any clinics in Spain with SONOR. Let me know!
Cheers very much!!

DPenalver

[Liquid_Drummer]

Hey Gavin,

Heard the preview of the new PT album on myspace and it sounds fantastic... Cant wait to get that 5.1 version and turn it up very very loud ! So glad you guys are doing 5.1 mixes because I am spoiled on 5.1 music to the point where stereo sounds a little boring.

I wanted to ask you about timing. I have a lot of trouble playing with a click track it seems. I find myself coming out of fills a little bit off and my groove is just not there ! It's almost like the click is castrating my abilities or just messing with my head. Funny thing is that when I turn off the click and we record the tempo and groove sounds just fine as well as coming out of fills. I am no computer so I know the tracks do "breathe" a bit and are not perfectly metrical. Do you think this is a bad thing ? I mean if it sounds good to the listener isnt that good enough ? I know this is something I need to work on but I have to admit that I cant stand a click track in my ear. There must be another way to practice in metrical perfect time. Very excited about the new cd Gavin. You and Rush with new discs ?!? Alex Lifeson on the new PT ?!?!? Im giddy like a school girl !

Thanks,

[Ogg]

Hi Gavin,
I have yet another question I'm afraid. I have a few PT boots and of course I own the official dvd but there is something seriously lacking from all the live shows...a bloody live solo mate! I know it's currently the done thing NOT to solo but myself and no doubt myriad others would love to hear one. Is there any official recordings that does feature a Gavin Harrison live solo? From any era of your career?...I'm not fussy.
Thanks for your time yet again.

Ogg.

[Drizzle]

Hé Gavin,

Love your drumming , really dig your style, sound and chops.

Watching you play I noticed that you sit rather low. Exactly the way I play drums. I find this the most balanced way to play.
Is this something you put a lot of thought in or did it just happen.
I heard Thomas Lang talk about having his knees a little lower than his hipjoints in order to play fast foot ostinato's. Do you think that your seat height affects your double bass playing or do you think this has no affect at all.

Maybe I'll be going to Frankfurt, so hopefully see you there

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid_Drummer,
it depends who's listening. If you and your band mates think that it sounds fine then go ahead without a click. If you want to use sequencers and quantised keyboard/percussion parts - then you're going to have to get good at playing with a click. I know most producers would insist on recording with a click. The track can still breathe and have a nice feel even if you are playing with a click. The only way to get good at it is to really practice with it and really listen carefully to the results. You have to subdivide the beats correctly. If you find yourself out with the click after a fill - then you may have rushed it by not subdividing the beats properly.

Cheers
Gavin



I wanted to ask you about timing. I have a lot of trouble playing with a click track it seems. I find myself coming out of fills a little bit off and my groove is just not there ! It's almost like the click is castrating my abilities or just messing with my head. Funny thing is that when I turn off the click and we record the tempo and groove sounds just fine as well as coming out of fills. I am no computer so I know the tracks do "breathe" a bit and are not perfectly metrical. Do you think this is a bad thing ? I mean if it sounds good to the listener isnt that good enough ?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi dannypenalver,
we have no plans at this moment for gigs in Spain - but we are going to tour Europe later this year - so let's hope so.

Hi Ogg,
I don't really do the classic type of 'drum solo' where everyone goes off the stage and leaves the drummer to play a huge solo for 20 minutes. I'd rather improvise over a section - such as the end of "Hatesong". I don't think I've done the classic solo since my Renaissance days in 1983.

Hi Drizzle,
Yes I like to sit low - 19.5 inches to be precise - I've tried many different heights but that feels just right to me. I've always preferred the feeling of sitting behind the kit rather than on top of it - but each to his own. I know I can't play the pedals as well if I sit a lot higher.

Cheers
Gavin

[Pywacket]

Hi Gavin.
Just got your Rhythmic Visions DVD. Very interesting and answers a lot of queston for me personally. I notice that, on this occasion at least, your playing is quite light. Is that important when playing with such precision? Do you tend to be a light player in general and do you think such well executed grooves and fills can be accomplished by a heavy handed drummer? I've played loud heavy rock for so many years I find it difficult NOT to hit the drums hard which may prove to be a handicap when it comes to more subtle, clever chops etc. Lastly, is that a Delite kit your using on the DVD? Nice tuning!

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-

Got a quick question (You have probably answered this before) how many cotton balls do you place inside your toms for the sound you want? is it personal preference?

I heard the sound bites for the new Cd off of PT's myspace...can't wait till the release so to PURCHASE PT's songs and not DL illegally. Sorry, I'm just tired of the illegal DL's.

Have a GREAT day GH!

-Rob

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

After watching your drummer world clips about 50 times over the last month I could no longer resist and purchased rhythmic horizons. I had planed on getting both however rhythmic visions appears to be out of stock. Any idea when there may me more copies available ? Cant wait to sink my teeth in to some new inspiration !

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Pywacket,
I think because I recorded it at home - that's the kind of volume I tend to play at when I'm practising. I know that when I play in a band I tend play much louder (and usually regret it after the first few songs). It very hard to resist when you've got the adrenaline rushing round.
On that first DVD "Rhythmic Visions" I think I'm using Vic Firth 5a Extreme - when I play with Porcupine Tree I use Vic Firth Rock Hickory which are about three times bigger.
I think you lose some articulation when you start hitting much harder - but if you're playing rock music you need the heavy intention - otherwise it doesn't come across properly. So you have to work harder to make LOUD backbeats and (not so quiet) ghost notes cut through.
Yes it is a Sonor DeLight on that DVD.

Hi crookedrook,
I'm now trying something different in the floor tom. I've made a few "zero" rings out of old drum skins - and I lay one inside the 14" floor. It's the same principle as with the cotton wool - it should act as a subtle 'gate' by moving off the head and then resting on it again. I made a few of different sizes to find the right amount of muting.

Hi Liquid_Drummer,
I don't know when I will have some more "Rhythmic Visions" in stock. You may find that DVD elsewhere - it is on general release. Hope you enjoy Rhythmic Horizons.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Thanks "G-man" for the info. I have quite a few old heads to experiment with.

Have a great day!.

[Pywacket]

Hey Liquid_ Drummer. I got Visions off Amazon last week. It got the juices flowing and I'm now eager to get my hands on Horizons and tickets for PT's Bristol gig in April.

[Liquid_Drummer]

I hope it gets the juices flowing for me as well. I need some inspiration big time. I have not felt any growth in my drumming in a long time. Well I take that back. I was working on the moeller and my left hand was starting to come alive in traditional grip however this was all practice pad work and when I began to apply it to the kit I found that I cant stand playing technical hard rock in traditional grip. Seems that the improved speed and rebound techinques I had been working on for my left hand weakness do not transfer over to matched grip very well. Well, to make a long story short I am going to use this dvd as a foundation for some reinvention. Due to my job I just dont get to play everyday like I used to so I have a practice pad at work and on my lunch I sit in the stairwell and practice to the amusment of my co-workers. I feel stale behind the kit and I think that Gavin's ideas are just what I need injected in to my brain !!

[Liquid_Drummer]

Deleted accidental double post. Deleted accidental double post. Deleted accidental double post.

[Pywacket]

Couldn't agree more with that last sentence. I use practice pad, acoustic kit and a TD20 electric set up and each feels totally different.The rudiments I can do around the kit on the Roland with it's, imo, ott bounce I find difficult when behind the acoustic kit. The power I can play with on the acoustic is sadly lacking on the electric. For me at the moment, trying desperately to re-invent my drumming, it's a trade off and I'm seriously considering kicking the electric stuff into touch and concentrating on real heads only.

[xush]

wow, excellent to see Gavin himself here~

what an inspiring drummer! Love your work with PT, and I've recently learned that you worked with Mick Karn, another favorite of mine.
I've found your work VERY inspiring of late, I really dig the concepts and design aspects involved in your style. Motivating to no end!
Hoping to catch a show eventually.

just wanted to express some admiration- no one has moved me to work harder in the studio lately than GH!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi xush,
thanks for the kind words !

Cheers
Gavin

[Liquid_Drummer]

Anyone looking to get Rhythmic Visions can find it on amazon.com. Mine will be delivered today ! Cant wait !

Gavin,

I read that you sat low on the throne. 19.5 inches ? Just curious, how tall are you ? I am wondering if I can get better pedal action by trying different throne heights.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid_Drummer,
I'm 6' 1"

Hope you enjoy "Visions"

Cheers
Gavin

[TitanSound]

Damn...I knew you were tall but I didnt expect you to be that tall at the height you sit!

I'm 6'5" and if I try and play on a low stool I start getting cramps in my thigh muscles....whats your secret?!

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

Just watched the Rhythmic Visions DVD and I am really blown away. This is a whole new way to think about time for me. The section on subdivions really made a light go on in my head. A mild epihinay if you will.

As for your performance......

A night in Tunsia was performed with all of the feel, acuracy and dynamics of a jazz legend ! I love jazz and I watch lots of live video with Steve Smith, Dave Weckl, etc as a learning tool and I have to say that you are right up there with them for sure. Have you ever performed with a jazz treo ?

Rythmic Horizons is on the way and I cant wait.

Thanks for the inspiration !

[Massik Kretal]

Hey Gavin,

My band recently recorded an album, and I must say it is a little sloppy. We have some tempo changes and so we do not play with a click, perhaps that is the key to why it is sloppy.

I would like to know how PT goes about recording everything. Do you guys play all together in a room isolated so there is no instruments bleeding on other mics? Do you guys record to a click one by one and layer it? Does Steven Wilson have his guitar record straight to the computer? or is it through an amp and a mic?

Please just run me through your recording procoss for Deadwing or the new album or both. It'll be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Steven

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-

I just gave your suggestion a try about the rings for the inside of the floor toms and also did it for the 1-2&3 tom as well. I tore all the toms and floor toms down and re-tuned them. Since my drums are DW's I still had the old factory heads that came with them, the heads were clear with rings. I cut the solid white ring out of the drum head and placed it inside all the toms plus the floor toms and they sound good. I had to place some cotton balls in the floor toms with the rings becaue of some subtle over tone, but got the sound I wanted-I didn't have to do that with the 3 higher toms though.
Just wanted to say, "Thanks for the suggestion" it did wonders for the over-all tone and sound of my drums.

Thanks,
Rob



Hi crookedrook,
I'm now trying something different in the floor tom. I've made a few "zero" rings out of old drum skins - and I lay one inside the 14" floor. It's the same principle as with the cotton wool - it should act as a subtle 'gate' by moving off the head and then resting on it again. I made a few of different sizes to find the right amount of muting.

[Afrolicious]

Hey Gavin,

is it true that Porcupine Tree will play at the Southside-Festival in Germany? That would be a dream coming true. I totally love your work! I can't find any more words that describe how I'm looking forward to see you along with other great bands as the Queens of the Stone Age.

Afrolicious

[schlagsaite]

Hello Gavin,
i just signed up DW, to let you know, that you are an exceptional creative motivator for all musicians. I say all musicians, because actually i'm a classical musician who makes his living from playing the lute (and no, i didn't play on the new Sting album ;-)).
I started playing drums about 6 months ago, actually to solve some metrical problems i have, playing especially modern music. And you released exactly the lessons (in form of your book, the dvd's i just ordered) i needed to get over it!! I would have never get a proper training to solve this problems, without your help! I'm so glad i started playing drums and get to know your work.
Thank you very much for your help and motivation!
Sören

[glen thomas]

hi Gavin

I meant to ask you before if you studied Rick Gratton's book "Rick's Licks" and if so, what did you think of the book. The reason I ask is that some of your fills have a Gratton style to them. I just picked the book up and haven't started it yet. :-)
glen

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Afrolicious,
yes it's true.


23rd June - Southside Festival, Neuhausen, Germany
(PT to appear for a 60 minute main stage performance at approximately 4.30pm). Bill also includes Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth, Kings of Leon.

Cheers
Gavin


Hey Gavin,

is it true that Porcupine Tree will play at the Southside-Festival in Germany? That would be a dream coming true. I totally love your work! I can't find any more words that describe how I'm looking forward to see you along with other great bands as the Queens of the Stone Age.

Afrolicious

[ChristZero]

Hey Gavin!
I´m new to the forum and just saw you´re really caring about your fans. That´s great.
As I am also just getting into PT and your drumming, I´m really blown away by what you do with those drums! AWESOME!
About to order your educational stuff...

[Afrolicious]

Thx for the quick answer. There are lots of great bands there, but it's already worth it for Kings of Leon, Queens of the Stone Age and of course Porcupine Tree.

[Sam]

Hello Gavin!

I'm a huge fan of your playing, your band, your studio, everything!

But! I'm building out my own studio. In the "studio" clip on the site of Porcupine Tree, in a part of that clip, I saw you talking to the singer and telling him that you were thinking about industrial drums. I don't know if you remember this ...

I saw you use a Mackie 32:8 console. My question is, has it flying faders or something, am I missing something, because in that part of the clip you changed the volume on the Mackie panel and not on the computer.

Can you explain this to me, how your panel is connected ...

I'm not getting this ...

Great to have talked to you!

Sam

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam,

"I saw you use a Mackie 32:8 console. My question is, has it flying faders or something, am I missing something, because in that part of the clip you changed the volume on the Mackie panel and not on the computer.

Can you explain this to me, how your panel is connected .."

Yes I use a 32:8 Mackie. I had the track coming up two channels of the desk and the "industrial drums" (which Steve looks so unimpressed by *) coming up another two channels. I just reached over and turned them up. No mystery no flying faders. The faders aren't controlling Logic at all.

Cheers
Gavin

* A couple of years later he said that he really liked the idea.

[Sam]

Ow, ok cool ... just as I walked in my studio I thaught of that. :D

Do you have some future gigs in Belgium? I'dd really love to see you guys live.

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

Just received Rhytmic Horizons, and I love it.

Especially the Polyrhythmic Theory section opened some new insights for me in playing (counting) odd-time signatures.

The overriding Section got me thinking - how do you count 7/8?
I know some people count it in a half time way like 1-2-3-and1-2-3-and1.
Wich in 5/8 would be 1-2-and1 etc.

I know you probably don't count or need to count, but how would you do it in the past.

And wich book do you feel you learned the most from? I read somewhere you talking about New Breed by Gary Chester.

Thanks for giving the opportunity for asking questions.

Drizzle

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
glad you're enjoying the Rhythmic Horizons DVD.

I don't really count the 7/8 I just sing it to myself using sounds like this Da-un-Da-un-Da-un-a
- it's very similar to an Indian way of counting. When it gets fast I just think of the "Da Da Da.." which represents the 1st, 3rd and 5th accents of every 7.

I got a lot from working through the systems that you can apply to the Ted Reed "Syncopation" book. I probably worked more at that than any other book when I was young.

Cheers
Gavin

[Sam]

Hey Gavin,

I read somewhere that you have 11 drumchannels. How do you split them up? Or can you record 11 seperate channels?

Most mixers, like mine, can only record 8 channels at once.


Sam

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam,
recently I've been recording 16 tracks of drums.

Bass Drum (SM91)
Bass Drum (Audix D6)
Snare Top (Audix i5)
Snare Bottom (SM57)
Hi Hat (AKG CK391)
Tom1 (Sennheiser 421)
Tom2 (Sennheiser 421)
Tom3 (Sennheiser 421)
Tom4 (Sennheiser 421)
Tom5 (Sennheiser 421)
Overheads (Pair of Royer 122's)
Close Ambience (Pair of Neumann TLM 103's)
Distant Ambience (Pair of Schoeps CMC5's)

Cheers
Gavin

[Sam]

I supose that is over 8 busses?

Or can you record 16 seperate tracks? In that case, WOW! ^^

How do you manage to put such huge 421 mics on that set with all those cymbals.

Do maybe have some new pics in your studio? I love those type of pics.

Thank you for answering my weird questions!

Sam

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam,
on the Mackie 32:8 there are 'direct outputs' of every channel. So if you want - you can have 32 outputs going to the computer or whatever you're recording to.

Cheers
Gavin

[Sam]

Owwww. That sounds nice.

Thanks for explaining Gavin! You're the man!

[cha]

hey. the BD "ruffs" in Mother and Child have such a great feel.. i think you said those are triplets.. i can only take your word on it, because i just cant figure them out.

the modulation in even less (the full version), and the (so symmetrical, yet beautiful) groove in sound of muzak make me want to cry in happiness. please keep creating beautiful ways to play the drums.

sorry for my english
ze, from portugal

[alegre]

Hi Gavin, this is Alessandro from Italy.
I've recently taken two of your drum clinics here in Italy the last February (Boschello music store in Mirano and Irish pub in Treviglio). They were absolutely great!!
You told me you've played two songs named "Designer" (I guess the first in your set-list) and "19 days". I loved both and found two of the most interesting and high-level played songs I've ever heard. But I forgot asking the name of the band!! Please can you give me the references so I can buy the CD's containing those songs?
While I know that the song "OOPS" is from Steps Ahead. Is it right?
What about your CD "Sanity and Gravity". Is unavailable from Most of the seller (Amazon and CDuniverse) Will it be available soon?
Thank you very much, I'm waiting for your answers

Bye
Alessandro

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Cha,

yes it's 3 sixteenth note triplets - starting on the last 8th note of the bar and goes onto the first note of the next bar - so it's actually four notes in total.

Cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

Any hints on what you will be doing at the Musikmesse.
During your performances that is....

Have you worked out something especially for the show, or some of the same things as in your DVD’s?

What’s your thought on ‘clinics’ anyway….Is it something you like to do or it’s more of an obligation to an endorser?

I recently read in an interview with Vinnie Colaiuta in MD that he doesn’t do clinics because to him it served no purpose, that there’s no context, that the audience only wants to see him blow them away with speed and chops.
Sensationalism he calls it.

You strike me as someone who loves drumming as an art, and that you like to share as much of it with other people, so I'm curious how you 'see' it.

Excellent article by the way, really sheds some light on how Vinnie thinks about drumming in general.

PS. Is the groove in 7/8 on the Rhythmic Horizons DVD taken from Stings song Saint Augustine in Hell featuring Vinnie on drums, or is it just a coincidence?

I’m still in doubt if I will go, it’s a 5 hour drive for me so…….half hour show isn't it????

Greetz, Andre

[cha]

wo, thanks for explaining man!
im ordering rhytmic horizons and visions and theres some problem with the shipping..
me and my bass player just cant wait any longer..!

keep on rocking on!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
the show at Frankfurt Musikmesse isn't really a clinic. I will just play 5 or 6 songs in the 30 minute slot.
Doing clinics is not an obligation for me - I have the choice to say no. I enjoy doing them - but only ever do a small amount of them.

I read the Vinnie Colaiuta interview (very interesting) and I agree with a lot of the things he said. A lot of young/beginner drummers come to clinics - obviously because they want to learn something - but they are the ones who are most impressed with technique - so you can feel pressurized to play something fast and flash because it gets a good reaction. But I try to make something musical out of my clinics and steer clear of "fireworks and tricks". Maybe that's why I don't get so many offers to do clinics?

The 7/8 pattern is actually inspired by Sting's "Straight To My Heart" which is programmed drums as far I know.

Hi Cha,
The Rhythmic Visions DVD is currently 'sold out' at "Burning Shed" but the new one "Rhythmic Horizons" is available. I don't know why you had a shipping problem - you should contact them directly.

Cheers
Gavin

[Sam]

Hi Gavin, another question.

I'd would like to start my own proffesional studio in 3 or 4 months.
I was looking into some products. The main things I'll be purshasing would be a new mixer (ana or digi), new mics and preamps.

These products caught my interest: Mackie Digital X-bus - Yamaha O2R96V2

Those 2 are large, expensive digital mixers. (+- 10000 - 12000 euro/$)

I was thinking of getting a superd analog mixer like this one Mackie 32:8.

This mixer costs a 5th of the price above, but I'm in doubt if this is capable of giving extremely good quality (pro cd-quality)?

As for mics, I'm probably going to purshase some Neumann U87i's (matched pair), probably 4 or 5 Shure SM57's, an AKG D112, and 2 AKG C414, and 3 Sennheiser MD 421-II's. When I wouldn't buy those highly expensive mixingdesks, i could afford myself that mackie mixer (+ meterbridge) + all those mics mentioned + preamps.

The question is: IS that mackie capable of giving me pro-studio quality? And what other add-ons beside good pre-amps and good mics would you recommend?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam,
choosing a desk is a tough decision. I've used the Mackie 32:8 for the last ten years and I'm very happy with it - I think the mic amps are excellent. I recently compared them to API 3124 mic amps and I really couldn't hear any difference I blind tested a few musician producer friends of mine and they couldn't hear a difference either. The API's are about $2500 dollars for 4 amps.
10 Years ago the Mackie was the only real choice that I could afford - if I wanted take an individual output from each channel. Otherwise I could have only recorded 8 things at a time through other "8 bus" desks.

We have the 02R96 desk - we use it as a monitor desk in Porcupine Tree and it's very good. We wanted the 'recall-ability" because of the day to day problems of touring. I haven't tried it in a studio situation but I don't think you can have so many outputs as the Mackie.

"The question is: IS that mackie capable of giving me pro-studio quality? And what other add-ons beside good pre-amps and good mics would you recommend?"

I have no doubt about it not being a 'pro' desk. The other things that make a HUGE difference is the room in which you record the drums. The drums/cymbals themselves and the way they're tuned/damped plus a really good drummer who knows how to 'play' a good sound out of the kit. Also a REALLY big thing is knowledge and experience about engineering. The recordings I made in my studio 10 years ago are nowhere as good as they are now - and the only thing that has really changed is my experience.

Cheers
Gavin

[Sam]

Thank you for answering my question.

I'm really getting into that Mackie (the 24:8 version). The only thing is, that the meterbridge costs A LOT!!! Man, almost a fourth of the mixer. Do you know if the meterbridge is an additional advantage or ... is it just "nice & cool"?

I will get some new preamps, maybe 1 avalon preamp, i'm not sure.

Can you list your favorite mic setup? And, do you also have Neumann mics?

Another question, which interface do you use to connect those 16 drumkit mics of yours to your pc/mac?

I supose you use 2 firewire interfaces yes? (like an appogee interface, (8 line inputs)) You, just connect two of them to your computer yes?

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-

I thought I would give some non-technical questions, kind of simple minded questions. I've been sitting here in my media room listening and watching the Deadwing CD DTS surround sound. I was watching some of the extra video clips and I heard you mention something like; You didn't know why people got nervous before a show, musicians perception before a show is that something will go wrong, but it ends up being a good show...you get nervous, right? With so many drum parts, tempos and time signature changes running through your head. Do you get to enjoy the moment?

BTW....I love Mother and Child Divided-great instrumental!


-Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam,
I've never used the meter-bridge. If you follow Mackie's instructions about setting sensible gain structure - using the solo button and looking at the level coming up the main meter - everything should be fine.

Regarding the mic list - I just answered your question about that a few days ago where I listed the 16 channels. See page 23.

Yes I use two Apogee Rosetta 800's to go in and out of the computer.


Hi crookedrook,
I'm not nervous when I go on stage - I was talking about other people who get really wound up before going on - and the anticipation of a disaster is the thing that's driving them nuts.

"With so many drum parts, tempos and time signature changes running through your head. Do you get to enjoy the moment? "

Usually the first few shows I've got a lot to think about so I probably don't enjoy it as much as I do a week later when most of the parts are becoming second nature.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Gavin-

Quick question about recording/mic'g your bass drum: Do you prefer your front bass drum head to have a hole or without? I get so many different opions and suggestions about how it sounds from sound engineers that I am not sure. I know the sound would be better traveling through the hole, but I'm not sure. HELP!

Thanks,
Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,
I always have a hole in the front head (in the 4 o'clock position - about 5") - and the tip of the Audix D6 is about an inch inside the hole. The Shure SM91 is inside on a cushion.

There's an Italian drum manufacturer who makes a hole in the shell of the bass drum - so you can angle a mic in there - that way you could keep the front head uncut. I don't know how this would sound - but it's an interesting idea.

11654

cheers
Gavin

[Wavelength]

There's an Italian drum manufacturer who makes a hole in the shell of the bass drum - so you can angle a mic in there - that way you could keep the front head uncut. I don't know how this would sound - but it's an interesting idea.

11654

The Finnish custom drum builder Kumu (http://www.kumu.fi/english/kumudrums.html) has made such side holes for quite a few years. The sound is just amazing. You can have the low end and resonance of an intact head while micing from the inside. The hole itself has little effect on the drum's sound.

[Drizzle]

There's also the May Internal Miking system, also used by Dave Weckl.
http://www.tabs.no/files/thumb3/shurebeta52.jpg

The only thing is that it's expensive, and that it’s not easy to adjust when you have no hole in the fronthead.

I made one myself, just a small piece of metal which holds my BETA52 and is screwed the same as in the picture. I’ve put the female XLR-plug in the hole for the tomholders, which I don’t use because I have a rack. But you could also go through the vent hole.

Although I could use a closed fronthead, I still use one with a hole also at 4 o’clock.

It's not that it's sounds better than before,(maybe if I start to use a closed fronthead) but it's mainly because now I don’t need a stand for the mic, and it’s always in the place I like.

Andre

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Wavelength,
Thanks for the link - I've been looking at the KUMU website - very interesting looking drums. How do they sound? Do you play them?

Hi Drizzle,
yes I'm familiar with the May Mic system. In a live setting I usually use just the Shure SM91 so I don't need a mic stand either. I use a heavy pillow in my bass drum and I find that at every soundcheck I need to get my hand inside the bass drum and re-adjust the position of it - as the drums get packed in cases that get turned upside down etc, so the pillow moves. If I had a front head with no hole that would be a problem.
Talking of internal mounting systems - have you seen this?

http://www.kellyshu.com/

Looks very interesting.
Cheers
Gavin

[Midnite Mike]

Interesting conversation,
In my travels and tinkering with different bass drum miking systems, I have found that there is no CORRECT or an "All Encompassing Procedure" for miking a bass drum. It all depends on the sound you're going for.
The mounted mics provide ease of setup and convenience, but they do have some drawbacks. Vibration from the shell, transferred to the bracket, and then to the mic, causes unwanted overtones, transients etc... The other problem has been already stated. "If you have no hole in your front head, how do you get to the mic to adjust it if needed?" The site Gavin has provided for us...
http://www.kellyshu.com/
...has an interesting innovation to cut down on direct vibrations from shell to mic. On the other hand, if thats what your going for and it sound good in your monitors, than by all means, GO FOR IT!
I have also found that having a hole in your front head has a fascinating side effect. From a purely scientific standpoint, when you push air through a tube or a hole you get a more focused column of air against the mic. (more commonly found in woodwind or brass instruments recordings). If you have no front head, the air is dispersed in a less direct way towards the mic capturing more of the drum sound and batter head, than the air rushing into the microphone diaphram. One way is not more correct than the other. Experiment with all kinds of ideas for capturing your bass drum sound. If someone tells you that you should do it "this" way and no way else. Kindly thank them and run the other way :-)

Gavin, hope all is well.

P.S. I would have bought tickets to the May 19th show in NYC, but i am graduating from Albany State that weekend. The next time PT rolls around here, i will definatly be there.

Take care and God bless.

MM

[crookedrook]

Thanks Gavin....much appreciated!



Hi crookedrook,
I always have a hole in the front head (in the 4 o'clock position - about 5") - and the tip of the Audix D6 is about an inch inside the hole. The Shure SM91 is inside on a cushion.

There's an Italian drum manufacturer who makes a hole in the shell of the bass drum - so you can angle a mic in there - that way you could keep the front head uncut. I don't know how this would sound - but it's an interesting idea.

11654

cheers
Gavin

[Sam]

The pillow can easily be solved. Just put some velcro in your bassdrum and some on the pillow.

DW does the same, and I've moved my kick around, upside down, everything, AND everything is always in place.

Those kick drum mounts are nice. I'm more of a stand-fan.

[Drizzle]

No I hadn't seen the Kelly Shu system before, but it looks good.
Sometimes the most simple things can be so effective.

I was wondering, you said you use a heavy pillow. How heavy is it ,and is it a real pillow or is it something you just call a pillow, 'cause most pillows I know aren't really heavy.

I also use a 'pillow', it's more of a big blanket folded up, it's made of the same fabric they make flags from. It touches both heads.
I use Evans Emad heads on both sides, you know with dampring on it. I have a 20” bassdrum so it needs a little help in the lows.
Before this I would use a rolled up towel like Simon Phillips used to have, taped to the head but that didn't help enough for me.

John ‘JR’ Robinson uses a bag filled with sand (talking about heavy), maybe I’ll try that sometime.

Greetz,
Andre

[BenOBrienSmith]

Hey Gavin,

I've been checking out some of the pictures of your live setup and I noticed a mixing/recording desk to the left of your hi-hat. (Here's a picture: http://www.swhq.co.uk/gallery.cfm?categoryid=4&slide=14)
What are you running through this desk?

Also, I must compliment both your playing and your drum sound and all the recordings I have of you. The drums just sing and you play with such a great pocket that it's impossible to stay still and listen at the same time. Thanks for the music/inspiration!

-Ben

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam,
I've encountered problems with the bass drum mic on a stand. If I'm on a wooden stage or a hollow riser, my left foot stomping on the hi hat can cause a quite loud bang through the bass drum mic because of the shock. These kind of elastic suspension mic holders such as the "KellyShu" would eliminate that.

Hi Drizzle,
my pillow is about as heavy as I could find a real pillow to be. Duck or Goose feathers (I can't remember which). I have tried foam ones but they really don't do the job for me.

Hi BenOBrienSmith,
thanks for the comments, that desk is an old Yamaha AW2816 which I don't use any more.
It was basically for backing loops along with a click so that we could sync it to the computer that's projecting the films.

Cheers
Gavin

[DrumSound]

Hello Gavin,

I've been a fan of your drumming from the first time I heard you with Sam Brown,
thank you for many years of great music.

I had the lucky chance to meet you when you played in Stollwerck in Köln
on the 12.04.05 with PT, I don't now if you remember, you were waiting to get
your dinner before the gig and I came over with my family to get yours and Steven's
autograph.

At that gig you seemed to be having some trouble with your sticks, it was fascinating to
watch you rummaging through your stick bag wile playing, you play better with one hand
than I could with five.
Do you remember what was wrong? you kept getting sticks out looking at them then
throwing them away till you found one that was ok.

Looking forward to Rhythmic Horizons, your first DVD is one of the best drumming ones I have,
regards Ty

[Wavelength]

Hi Wavelength,
Thanks for the link - I've been looking at the KUMU website - very interesting looking drums. How do they sound? Do you play them?

They sound heavenly, Gavin! :) I've tried quite a few Kumu kits, and they've yet to fail me. Especially the bass drums are incredible; I once got a chance to try out a 14" x 14" 'kick' drum, and it sounded HUGE for its size. The Kumus' overall sound is warm and deep but at the same time they are very sensitive and articulate. Their tuning range is naturally very wide, and the thin shells make them very light and easy to carry around.

I have a 14" x 5,5" snare with wood hoops (picture), and I just ordered a 20" x 17" kick, a 14" x 12" floor tom and a 10" x 8" tom tom (with wood hoops) to complete the kit. I'm expecting them to arrive by the end of May. Can't wait to get my hands on 'em!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/386806049_12087385dd.jpg

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi DrumSound,
thanks for the kind words. The Sam Brown days were a long time ago - but I remember having a great time working with her. I really love that song "Your Love Is All" on that record.

Hi Wavelength,
great looking snare. Have you tried mic'ing up the bass drum through that side hole? How does it sound?

Cheers
Gavin

[Wavelength]

Have you tried mic'ing up the bass drum through that side hole? How does it sound?

The sound is naturally equalised -- there's a good amount of clear, defined attack and warm, round bottom end. It's almost as if you were using a microphone on both the resonant and the batter side. It's very easy to get a good sound from the drum with a completely flat EQ.

[bjoneill74]

Gavin,

I love your playing and your sound.

Do you record all of your drum parts in your own studio?
Or do some of the clients have you come into a larger facility?

I'm looking forward to the new PT cd and I've already got my ticket for the Baltimore MD show.

Brian
http://www.ephemeralsun.com
http://www.stewedyoe.com

[JeffV71]

Gavin,

First of all I would just like to thank you for the inspiration you've given me to explore my own drumming in areas I never would've thought possible. Keep up the fantastic work you do on your own and with Porcupine Tree. Much Appreciated! My own band mates and I will be seeing PT in Chicago on May 17th. We're really looking forward to it.

Question: I've noticed in your live playing with PT that on occasion you will lightly tap on the snare with your fingers. Is this for effect or for internal subdividing on your part? It's barely audible in the mix but it does add a nice element to the music.

Thanks
Jeff

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi bjoneill74,
yes I recorded all the drums for Porcupine Tree's "Deadwing" and "Fear Of A Blank Planet" here in my studio. I'm recording my new project here this week with 05Ric called "SoulKatcher"

Some artists I work for have me go into a big studio in London sometimes - and I occasionally do sessions in Italy.

Hi JeffV71,
I do sometimes tap my fingers on the snare in between playing the cross stick. I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. It's a subtle effect.

thanks to both of you for the kind comments

cheers
Gavin

[bjoneill74]

That's awesome. Are you simply given scratch tracks to play to? or do you all get together for more of a live feel?
And it's all with the Mackie pres into the Rosetta into Logic?
Do you do any processing or leave it to mixing/post production?
I saw earlier that you had tried an API 3124+ and heard no difference over the Mackie pres.
I am a guitarist and have an API 3124+ and a Great River MP 2NV and noticed an immediate and stunning difference from the Mackie pres sonically.
I guess it's all in what you're doing. I'm not putting the Mackie pres down as I still use them and find them more pleasing on some things than the API and Great River (though it's rare)..
The performance, instrument, room and such are much more a part of the equation than the pres/mics etc.. but they can impart something extra here and there.

Thanks for replying.

Cheers

Brian

Hi bjoneill74,
yes I recorded all the drums for Porcupine Tree's "Deadwing" and "Fear Of A Blank Planet" here in my studio. I'm recording my new project here this week with 05Ric called "SoulKatcher"

Some artists I work for have me go into a big studio in London sometimes - and I occasionally do sessions in Italy.

Hi JeffV71,
I do sometimes tap my fingers on the snare in between playing the cross stick. I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. It's a subtle effect.

thanks to both of you for the kind comments

cheers
Gavin

[DrumSound]

Gavin, a quick question about your overheads, do you always record with a Spaced Pair,
have you tried XY or Recorder Man. thank you

PS My favorite on the Sam Brown are Stop, Ball And Chain, Sometimes, High As A Kite.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi bjoneill74,

"Are you simply given scratch tracks to play to? or do you all get together for more of a live feel?"

usually scratch tracks to play to.


And it's all with the Mackie pres into the Rosetta into Logic?
Do you do any processing or leave it to mixing/post production?

Yes Mackie/Rosettas/Logic. There's a tiny bit of eq coming from the Mackie.Other than that it's all post production eq and reverbs.

cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi DrumSound,
Yes I record with a spaced pair of overheads. I haven't tried XY - what's "Recorder Man" ?

Cheers
Gavin

Gavin, a quick question about your overheads, do you always record with a Spaced Pair,
have you tried XY or Recorder Man. thank you

PS My favorite on the Sam Brown are Stop, Ball And Chain, Sometimes, High As A Kite.

[bleen]

Hi DrumSound,
Yes I record with a spaced pair of overheads. I haven't tried XY - what's "Recorder Man" ?


The "recorder man" technique is sometimes also called the "modified Glyn Johns" technique. It usually involves a single overhead directly above the snare, another mic that's more "over the sholder" that's pointing across the floor tom and aimed at the center of the snare the same distance from the snare as the overhead, and then a mic in front of the kick, preferably also the same distance from the snare center.

Pan the OH mic left, the shoulder mic right and keep the FOK mic centered.

This gives you a very "in-phase" sound that collapses to mono very well and can be supplemented with close mics for extra punch.

In my experiences using it in the studio, it works best on smaller kits (4 or 5pc), rather than larger, more spread out sets that have more pieces on the periphery.

Greetings form Seattle (how's that Pearl arm holding up for you??)

Cheers!
don

[DrumSound]

Thanks don, I couldn't have described it better.

I've been having a look at the Sonor SQ2, if only they were offering the Vintage shells when I was looking for a set 4 years ago, they are some great looking drums.

[HannibAlan]

(1st I'm french, so sorry for my poor english)

I would have just a question about your Axis pedal. I've read in many other forums, that Axis pedals were very few powerful, I mean that almost all people I know who use them have to trig their bass drum (in metal bands), to be able to be hear. But I ask the question because I would be interested in buying these pedals, but I clearly don't want to trig my bass drum, juste using the acousting sound that I prefer and which let me use moderation of volume, when I want to play loud or not. What is your opinion about this point ?

Thanks a lot, and see you in the next porcupine tree tour if you'll play in France !

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi bleen,
yes I have tried this with an engineer in a London studio. He used 2 SM57's (which aren't particularly hi-fi) and a bass drum mic (don't remember which one)....and it sounded very impressive indeed. He called it the "3 mic trick" - I didn't know it was also referred to as "Recorder Man". I was playing a 4 piece kit - and you could hear everything clearly. As you mentioned - I'm not sure how great it would be with a larger kit.

Hi HannibAlan,
don't get confused about the Axis pedals - regarding triggering. The reason some heavy metal drummers trigger samples from their bass drum(s) is for clarity when they're playing really fast notes - NOT to just make the overall volume louder. I've done it myself (in post production) and it really helps the articulation of what you are playing cutting through the mix of distorted guitars. The pedals themselves are very good. They have a particular feel to them which allows me to play them louder than other pedals - but as I said that's nothing to do with triggering. A lot of metal drummers like Tama's Iron Cobras and probably trigger with those as well.

Cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

Since we're on the topic of pedals here, I saw on one of your DVD's that the position of your beaters is different. Your left beater is farther away from the head than the right one. (Yes I'm afraid I've got nothing better to do.........)
Is this on purpose?

Does this mean the tension is different too??
Do you have a 'weaker' foot and do you compromise this with the tension.

And did you adjust the tension over the years as you're strength and control got better?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
that might have been my old Pearl pedals. Which video was it? I do have the springs a bit tighter on the right pedal than the left. I don't think my left foot has as much stamina and strength as the right.

Cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

I think I saw it in the clip "Footprints" of Rhythmic Visions.

But now I've seen it again I think I got fooled because of your right foot resting on the pedal so the right beater goes up a little.
And probably you don't have the left pedal connected.

Am I right that the beaters are almost horizontal when not played??

[alegre]

Hi Gavin,
this is Alessandro from Italy.
I'm very sorry because of my insistence. I wrote a few weeks ago but I get no answer.
So I ask you again.
I've recently taken two of your drum clinics here in Italy the last February (Boschello music store in Mirano and Irish pub in Treviglio). They were absolutely great!!
You told me you've played two songs named "Designer" (I guess the first in your set-list) and "19 days". I loved both and found two of the most interesting and high-level played songs I've ever heard. But I forgot asking the name of the band!! Please can you give me the references so I can buy the CD's containing those songs?
While I know that the song "OOPS" is from Steps Ahead. Is it right?
What about your CD "Sanity and Gravity". Is unavailable from Most of the seller (Amazon and CDuniverse) Will it be available soon?
Thank you very much, I'm waiting for your answers

Bye
Alessandro

[crookedrook]

Gavin-

I have two simple questions for you:

1st: How is the new muffling technique going on your toms? from cotton balls to muffle rings inside the toms...I took your suggestion and I like what I hear since I did it.

2nd: I love the song Mother and Child Divided...where can I purchase a copy of that song? I have it on one of the DVD's I bought (DVD-Audio disc,dts), but unable to play it on a regular cd player. That song gets me pumped before playing a gig.

Thanks
Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi alegre,
the tune "Designer" is on my first DVD "Rhythmic Visions" - there is no 'band' as such - it's just myself and a keyboard player called Gary Sanctuary.

"19 Days" is on my second DVD "Rhythmic Horizons". It's written by Dave Stewart and myself. The musicians are Dave Stewart (keys) Laurence Cottle (bass) Phil Palmer (guitar) John Thirkell (trumpets). Again it's not on any CD release - it's just a piece written for the DVD.

"Oops" is a "Steps Ahead" piece written by Mike Mainieri.
My CD "Sanity & Gravity" is out of print at the moment - but is available as a download from:

www.burningshed.co.uk/index.asp?main=mp3s&page=mp3s

I have no plans in the near future to re-print it.

Cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,
At the moment I'm just using an internal ring inside my 14" floor tom. That was the only one that seemed to have a bit too much sustain.

As far as I know the original recording of "Mother & Child Divided" has not been released in a regular audio format (yet) only on the DTS version which you say you already have. It is on the live DVD "Arriving Somewhere..." It is also on the downloadable audio version of "RockPalast" which is also a live gig - recorded a couple of moths after "Arriving Somewhere.."

www.burningshed.com/index.asp?page=downloaddetails&id=42&returnpage=mp3s&returnid=0


Cheers
Gavin



1st: How is the new muffling technique going on your toms? from cotton balls to muffle rings inside the toms...I took your suggestion and I like what I hear since I did it.

2nd: I love the song Mother and Child Divided...where can I purchase a copy of that song?

[Braui]

Hello Gavin!

I´m very impressed that you take the time to answer the questions from anyone.
RESPECT!
I have your DVD´s and I´m more than lost of words by such a tight and sensitive playing.
My question is: Your homestudio (really impressive) is your residence too, right?
Did your own the place before you developed the studio, or did you buy it for the opportunity building it up?
In the trailer of deadwing I saw that you record all tacks at home. Did other members of porcupine tree record in our studio too?

By the way, in my opinion the DTS mixes of your band are the best in musicbusiness, no better way to here this music.

Thanks a lot
See you at the summertour

Braui

[Sol Good]

Braui - article on Gavin's studio in case you haven't read it:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct99/articles/readerzone.htm

Hard to believe that room is part of a normal house....

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Braui,
yes the studio is in my home. When we we're looking for a new place to live - I was of course trying to find somewhere I could play the drums and start to build up a studio. Luckily for us this very unusual house came on the market.
The other members of PT sometimes come here and we have a writing session - but generally I don't record their performances for the album here.

Cheers
Gavin

[Braui]

Hi Sol Good!

Yes of course I´ve read the article of SOS. But it´s almost eight years old. I think Gavin keep with the time and his equipment has changed a bit from the list in the article.

Gavin?
How much time did you spent to produce such professional DVD´s like Rythmic Visions/Horizons. Especially german subtitles are very rare at similar drumeducational productions.
Did you have all the equipment for dvd-producing?
In my opinion it´s really cheep to buy for such an expenditure.

Did Sonor will order you in the future for a clinic-tour, except your upcomming performence in frankfurt?

Thanks an enjoy the day

[JeffV71]

Hey Gavin,

What is your experience/opinion (in studio or live applications) on the Shure Beta 98D/S? I've heard they do a really good job for toms and snare drums. Not to mention that the small design probably helps tremendously verses using big bulky mics (epecially when using smaller toms such as an 8" or 6")

Thanks
Jeff

[PHIL2007]

Mr. Gavin Harrison, I just noticed that you have joined the forum!
Welcome my fellow drum brother!
I havent heard any of your playing other than what is on video clips,but from the heresay,you are setting the standard for modern drumming!
Just a quick question concerning clinics, are you going on the clinic trail anytime soon, and will you be anywhere close to Shreveport or New Orleans?
Also, Who will i need to contact to book you for a clinic in Monroe Louisiana..?,i have a friend who owns a music store and will pass the info along with the intent of having you come do a clinic here.
Have a great day!

[xush]

really enjoyed the studio article- I love that kind of stuff.
Great to see what you're doing there.
We've built our own place from scratch- it's a LOT of work, but feels so good when you're done (or it's usable anyway, are you ever really DONE?)

[Sol Good]

really enjoyed the studio article- I love that kind of stuff.
Great to see what you're doing there.
We've built our own place from scratch- it's a LOT of work, but feels so good when you're done (or it's usable anyway, are you ever really DONE?)

In case you haven't seen it, Todd Sucherman's site has a nice account of how his home drum room came together:
http://www.toddsucherman.com/drumroommain.htm

No 40 ft ceilings, but he does have the pool to cool off in.

[xush]

In case you haven't seen it, Todd Sucherman's site has a nice account of how his home drum room came together:
http://www.toddsucherman.com/drumroommain.htm

No 40 ft ceilings, but he does have the pool to cool off in.

dangit, I got drool on my keyboard!

[DrumSound]

Hi Gavin,

I have just seen the tour dates for Germany, and I will defiantly be there on the 22nd June in Cologne,
will it be possible to get your new DVD there? or perhaps you could bring some with you for us drummers?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Braui

"How much time did you spent to produce such professional DVD´s like Rythmic Visions/Horizons. Especially german subtitles are very rare at similar drumeducational productions.
Did you have all the equipment for dvd-producing?
In my opinion it´s really cheep to buy for such an expenditure.

Did Sonor will order you in the future for a clinic-tour, except your upcomming performence in frankfurt?"

My first DVD took me a very long because I was totally new to filming/lighting/dvd production and I had a lot to learn (and I still have). Luckily my partner is a professional subtitler and could make them in German and Italian. I had to buy some cameras and software to make the dvd possible. Unfortunately I have no clinics planned at the moment because I'm going to be very busy this year with PT and my new project with 05Ric.

Hi JeffV71

"What is your experience/opinion (in studio or live applications) on the Shure Beta 98D/S?"

I've used them in live situations - but obviously I couldn't really tell how good they were because I sitting behind the drums at the time and not out in the audience. I haven't used them in a studio - so the answer is - I don't honestly know. They're a very handy size though.

Hi PHIL2007

"Just a quick question concerning clinics, are you going on the clinic trail anytime soon?
Also, Who will i need to contact to book you for a clinic in Monroe Louisiana..?"

As I said above - I won't be doing clinics for a while, but you could always try requesting them to Sonor in the US (via Hohner) or Zildjian Cymbals.

Hi xush

"We've built our own place from scratch- it's a LOT of work, but feels so good when you're done (or it's usable anyway, are you ever really DONE?)"

I guess I'm never really done buying and trying equipment!!!

Hi DrumSound,

"I have just seen the tour dates for Germany, and I will defiantly be there on the 22nd June in Cologne,
will it be possible to get your new DVD there? or perhaps you could bring some with you for us drummers?"

My newest DVD Rhythmic Horizons will be on sale at the merch table. Thanks for the interest.

Cheers
Gavin

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,
I have a few questions concerning your relationship to your kit. Do you treat each individual piece as its own voice or the kit as an entire sound source? Have you ever slept next to your kit? Do you love your kit? I know this may seem odd, but i find it hard to believe that a person that can create such beautiful sounds and music along with smooth movement, doesnt have a relationship to the instrument that they have devoted themselves to. Intrigued.

MM

[ChristZero]

Well Gavin, thanks for coming to Frankfurt and showing the audience what your drumming is all about. I had a really good time yesterday.
One question: what snare drum did you use? 12"x5" designer? The sound was awesome...
Greetz

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

I'm in the process of creating a new practice routine.

Did you ever have any practice routines?

In your book Rhythmic Perspectives you talk a little bit about the way you used to practice, but did you use a routine in those days. I mean did you have your whole practice written out like : 15 mins of rudiments, 15 mins of .... etc.

If you have, could you post one from your early days (if you still have it), I , and probably more people here, would be very interested in the way you would practice.

I know every person has different 'weak' spots and need to practice different things, but just wondering how a great drummer like yourself would do it.

Your drumming is such an inspiration for me, the clean execution, the cool grooves, the nice fills etc. makes me want to sit down and play the drums everytime I hear or see you play. Thanks for that.

Greetz Andre

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I read earlier that you were waiting for your new Sonor SQ2 kit. Any word on that yet? Are you going to post some pics when you do get it? PRETTY PLEASE!!!

Daniel

[3rd_Eye]

Hi Gavin,its Fabio from Italy here.not any question in particular for now :) I teach in a local drum school,I have my band(s) and do some sessions for several artists aswell.I just want to say how much your drumming has influenced not only the way I play but mostly the way I see playing....and PT is one of my favourite bands ever,nuff said.its such great that You spend time here talking and being kind-like-nooneelse even if You are busy as hell.thanks Gavin,cant wait for your forthcoming releases (05Ric,too).bye,Fabio.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi ChristZero,
it's a Sonor Designer in maple 12x5 snare drum. Got a great sound to it.

Cheers
Gavin


One question: what snare drum did you use? 12"x5" designer? The sound was awesome...
Greetz

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
I don't really have practice routines - these days I just improvise until I stumble across something interesting - then I try to develop it and record it somehow.

Years ago I used to practice 6 hours a day - 3 hours in the morning and then 3 in the afternoon. Mostly I would record myself and analyze what I thought sounded weak and then try and work on it.

Hi Gibbersticks,
My new SQ2 kit showed up. Wow what a beauty - these pics REALLY don't do it justice. It's sounds GREAT too.

http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin20.jpg


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin22.jpg


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin21.jpg

Cheers
Gavin

[Bernhard]

It was so great to meet Gavin in Frankfurt.

I made some videos of his great playing - give me some time for editing...

Here some pics:


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin1.jpg

http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin2.jpg


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin5.jpg


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin7.jpg


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin8.jpg


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin9.jpg


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin10.jpg

http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin11.jpg


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin4.jpg


http://www.drummerworld.com/gavin/gavin6.jpg



Bernhard

[Kenneth Wilson]

Hey Gavin,

That's a beautiful kit. What's the turn around time on an SQ2 kit?

Anyway, my band Abigail's Ghost recently released our first full length album and I would like to send you a copy. I'm not expecting anything out of it, I just wanted you to have a copy because you've been such an inspiration for my song writing.

Thanks,
KW

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Kenneth,
I think the turn round time on an SQ2 is about 2-3 months...but don't quote me on it.

Cheers
Gavin

[Rhythmic Disciple]

...2-3 months for you maybe!!!

Here comes the inevitable request - S P E C S O F Y O U R N E W K I T please!

Tribal finish I believe. Please include shell details, heads, muffling e.t.c.

Interesting to note no evidence of 'Tunesafe' option?

What the kit in Bernhard's pics? Badges aren't SQ2?

Cheers Gavmeister!

[Sonor]

What the kit in Bernhard's pics? Badges aren't SQ2?


About 99.9% sure those are Delites.

Thanks for the pics Bernhard.

[Gavin Harrison]

Yes the drums that I played at the Frankfurt Music show were DeLights. (Thanks to Bernhard for the pictures).

Rhythmic Disciple,
The SQ2 drums have a "tune safe" thing built into the lug.
The sizes I have are

22x17 heavy shell
16x14 floor tom medium shell
15x13 floor tom medium shell
14x12 floor tom medium shell
13x10 tom thin shell
12x9 tom thin shell
10x8 tom thin shell
8x7 tom thin shell

12x5 snare thin shell

all the drums are maple except the 14x5 snare which is birch.

cheers
Gavin

[Braui]

Hey Gavin!

Would you play your awsome new kit at the upcomming summertour?
I think it would look great in the spotlight!
Whats the reason for changing the series, the designer sound awsome too.
But I think a player with your skills is able to make a Force 1007 sound like an SQ2... just kidding.
By the way, do you have a drumtec at the concerts or is the setting up the set business of the master ;-)?

Ciao
Robert

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Braui,
Yes I'll be playing the new kit on the European dates. I love the sound of the DeLight and Designer so there's been no conscious effort to change. I just like them both. In fact in America I'll be playing my blue DeLight set. Yes luckily I do have a drumtech - Adrian Holmes - but he's been so good as our merch man and we want him to just concentrate on that - so the next tour I'll have a new tech - Jason Birnie.

Cheers
Gavin

[DrumSound]

Hi Gavin,
congratulations on the new set, looking forward to seeing it on 22nd June.
As you've played in Italy so much, have you ever heard of Drum Sound drums?
Do you remember what the first set was you ever owned?
Thanks,
Ty

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi DrumSound,
Yes I have heard and seen the Italian drum company called Drum Sound...is it your company?
My first drumset was an Ajax made by Boosey & Hawkes.

Cheers
Gavin

[DrumSound]

Hi Gavin,
From what I could find out Ajax sets were very high quality,
Boosey & Hawkes also produced the English-made Rogers sets apparently.
Yes I play a Drum Sound Equalized Series, not many people have heard of
them, but there sets sound really good.

[MCS]

Hi Gavin.

I'm going to be building my own studio in the near future and was wondering if there was any tips you could give me since you've been through something similar? It's being built from the ground up and I'm having a building built beside my house to be used... Is there anything I should consider when having it designed, such as windows, etc to create a nice working environment? Any advice would be greatly appreciated..

Cheers.

Monty.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi DrumSound,
I actually have an early 60's English Rogers set. Very funky it is too.

Hi MCS,
well I didn't actually build a studio from the ground up. Are you doing it yourself or do you a studio company building it? Windows are nice but are also a potential sound leak area. Depends how soundproof it needs to be. Getting a nice inside is difficult if it's a dead straight box.
It's a very tough question - there's a million factors and most of them come down to budget.
There's lots of soundproofing and acoustic treatment advice on the internet - you just need the time to research it.

good luck
Gavin

[MCS]

Hi Gavin.

I'm going to get a builder to build the outer structure and then I'll probably do the interior myself, save myself a few pennies!! I'll get trawiling on the internet and see what I can turn up.. Thanks for taking time to answer..

Cheers.

Monty.

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-

Just wanted to let you know our Cincinati Enquirer paper here in Cincinnati, Ohio is doing an article on me and I had mentioned you, PT and your new video Rhythmic Horizons as a big influence and inspiration to my playing. Hope you don't mind me mentioning that in the interview.

Thanks again for the influence and aspiration.

-Rob

[xush]

just watched the MusicMesse videos, they are fantastic!
Really enjoyed seeing them here, since I couldn't be there.

You've got me jonesing for a bell/chime set something fierce!

really beautiful and inspiring work~
thanks for sharing it

[crazydrummer]

just watched the MusicMesse videos, they are fantastic!
Really enjoyed seeing them here, since I couldn't be there.


+ 100

Exellent videos and awesome drumming, once again !
Thank you Gavin !

Denis

[cvighals]

Hi Gavin!

Great looking (and probably sounding) new kit!
I'm really looking forward to see you, and the rest of Porcupine Tree live in Oslo in July!
Last time you were in Norway, I was'nt aware that you were playing the Quart festival, so I missed it :(

Me and my band have a studio, and we are wondering about buying an Audix d6 for the bass drum. How is the Audix compared to the akg d112 that we have already? (That is of course if you are familiar with the d112)

Thanks for taking your time answering our questions!!

And BTW, the preview for the new PT album sounds AMAZING!!
and PS. Musikmesse videos are insane!! I caught myself laughing of pure joy at times!! xD

[Sam]

Great video's Gavin!

Like the math in it :D!

Sam

[bleen]

Gavin,

Watching the videos from the Messe clinic, I notice you have your Powerbook/MacbookPro on a cushion/pillow. Do you ever have issues with it overheating when resting on a surface like that for a long time?

Looking forward to the first US date here in Seattle next month!

Cheers,
don

[Drum-Head]

Hi Gavin,


Just popping in to say that the Musikmesse videos are fantastic. I loved the emotional side to the second song you played, and I thought that the third tune was absolutely killer. For the 1000th time, you really do have a thing for finding the perfect groove/lick/whatever to compliment the whole in a musical manner.


Over and out,
Christopher.

[crazydrummer]

The 3thd video is simply amazing ! I watch it every day XD

Denis

[Drizzle]

The videos are brilliant, but hey no surprise there.....

The drumming in Quite Firm is real nice, love the 8” tom - double bass fill near the end.

I saw your new drumset and I noticed that in the specs you mention 4 toms and 3 floor toms.
But in the pictures I only see 3 toms and 2 floor toms.
Does this mean you sometimes change your tom set-up?

Or did Sonor just sent you all sizes...

Do you sometimes use other toms during recording from song to song or is it usually the same?
Do you think there’s a big difference between let’s say a 14 and a 15” floor tom??

[Joe Kearney]

I do believe I will be seeing you this spring at the House of Blues, Cleveland.

[stoneymonster]

Where are these videos from Musikmesse everyone keeps talking about? I've searched all over.... thanks...

-S

[Burchie]

Hey Gavin

Love you work!!!! Any idea when the dates for the Australian leg of your tour will be announced?? Also a small technical question, when PT are playing live do you all have the click going to you monotors or do you only hear it??

Man can't wait for the new album to come out and for your two DVD's to arrive as just purchased them on line.

Take care


Burchie

[DrumSound]

Hi stoneymonster,
try this. http://www.drummerworld.com/reports/Frankfurt20071.html

[Gavin Harrison]

Thanks to you all for the positive comments about the Frankfurt videos!


Hi cvighals,

Me and my band have a studio, and we are wondering about buying an Audix d6 for the bass drum. How is the Audix compared to the akg d112 that we have already? (That is of course if you are familiar with the d112)

I've been pleased with the Audix D6 especially in combination with the Shure SM91. I've used the AKG 112 many times but never owned one.


Hi Bleen

Watching the videos from the Messe clinic, I notice you have your Powerbook/MacbookPro on a cushion/pillow. Do you ever have issues with it overheating when resting on a surface like that for a long time?

I haven't had problems with it overheating - although I can't believe how hot it gets sometimes. I've had problems with vibration upsetting the hard drive. I'm not convinced the pillow is the best way to stop that - but it seems to help a bit.

Hi Drizzle

I saw your new drumset and I noticed that in the specs you mention 4 toms and 3 floor toms.
But in the pictures I only see 3 toms and 2 floor toms.
Does this mean you sometimes change your tom set-up?

I wanted to have the most flexible possibilities in my set ups. Sometimes I'll use the 8,10,12 on top - then sometimes I might want 10,12,13 - or any combination of the toms. Same story with the floor toms. Maybe I'd like to use a 13 tom and a 15" floor - sometimes a 14 floor is too small and a 16 floor is too big. I've been in sessions with a 10,12,16 combo and the gap to the 16 was too much. There's so many different musical situations - I just wanted to try to cover what my inspiration might dream up for any song - or gig or tour.

Hi Burchie,

Love you work!!!! Any idea when the dates for the Australian leg of your tour will be announced??

I don't know when we're coming to Australia - sometime soon I hope. Any chance you could move it a bit closer to us?

Cheers
Gavin

[Tuxido]

Hi Gavin,
I have a question regarding a cymbal you used in the Frankfurt 2007 videos. Its the one right in front of you, over your first two toms, it looks like a mini china but makes a sound similar to a mark tree ? I was wondering what it was.

Thanks

[Burchie]

Thanks for that Gavin, would love to move closer but my wife seems to be happy here!!
Will just have to wait!

[stoneymonster]

Thanks Drumsound. Fantastic!

[Sam]

Hi Gavin!

I really like your new kit. The SQ2 sonor. How do you like it (in comparison to your Designers)?

I saw the exact color in my local drumshop, and it was mindblowing!

Will you use your rack again? Or just stands?

Thx!

Sam

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Tuxido,
it's another one of my 'cut down' experiments. It's a Zildjian 16" Z crash cut down to 8" and had it's edges bent upwards like a china cymbal.

Cheers
Gavin


I have a question regarding a cymbal you used in the Frankfurt 2007 videos. Its the one right in front of you, over your first two toms, it looks like a mini china but makes a sound similar to a mark tree ? I was wondering what it was.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam,
Yes I love it - it's a bit early to tell - how it compares to the last kit (Designer). It's an amazing finish. I've been using it for the first time in rehearsals today.
I will be mounting it on a rack for the tour. It's just easier for the tech to build the kit everyday.

Cheers
Gavin


I really like your new kit. The SQ2 sonor. How do you like it (in comparison to your Designers)?

I saw the exact color in my local drumshop, and it was mindblowing!

Will you use your rack again? Or just stands?

[Sam]

Still the pearl dr503 rack?

Your kit always looks so very clean! The toms are nicely angled, ...

It looks great when you see it on stage (meaning your kit).
What pedals are you currently using?

[Frostilicus]

Hi Gavin

Looking forward to seeing Porcupine Tree in Cambridge on the 25th. I'll be in the middle with a red carnation if you look up :D And this time, try not to make it all look so darn easy. I really enjoy listening to your playing, it teeters on the verge of being inspiring on the one hand and so darn good it pisses me off that I can't do it on the other.

Question: never seen you do solos with PT - is this a personal policy or a band policy?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam,
yes it's still the dr503 rack.
At the moment I'm using Axis Longboards.

Hi Frostilicus

"Question: never seen you do solos with PT - is this a personal policy or a band policy?"

No I never play solos with PT (except the night Steve left the stage to go to the toilet!!!). I don't really like playing solos - I much prefer to play inside some musical context.

Cheers
Gavin

[dannypenalver]

Hi! Gavin
just a short question! when you guys where young, Jim,you, ect. what kind of kit did you use then? (you know, around london pubs and all that jazz!). Just a lot of curiosity,I'm asking you because my Dad cant remember.

cheers
DannyP

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,


I've been transcribing Open Car and would like to know if I'm right aboutthe time signature is.

To me the intro riff is in 17/16 or 17/8, am I right??

The verse section are 8/8 + 9/8 or would you call this 17/8

Do these odd time signatures songs (parts) come from jams or do you 'create' it on purpose???


Since you're so kind to answer questions...........do YOU have any questions??????


Greetz, Andre

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Danny,
yes back then in 1981 I had a Gretsch maple kit - huge thing it was too. 24, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and then later I bought another 24" bass drum (as you do). I must have been off my head. I'd carry cut down versions of the kit for pub gigs - I couldn't get the whole thing in my car. When I met your dad he had a custom made white marine pearl finish kit (maybe Eddie Ryan?) I remember the concert toms were square sizes 10x10 12x12 13x13 etc.

Cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
I think of that section in 17/8. It was a riff that Steve wrote and of course the verse is sung on that riff. I tried to make it sound like 4/4 rather than pick out all the little sub riffs.

Cheers
Gavin



I've been transcribing Open Car and would like to know if I'm right aboutthe time signature is.

To me the intro riff is in 17/16 or 17/8, am I right??

The verse section are 8/8 + 9/8 or would you call this 17/8

Do these odd time signatures songs (parts) come from jams or do you 'create' it on purpose???

[dannypenalver]

Hi Gav! thanks for telling me! sounds nuts today (sizes) good thing mikes exist! haha.
thanks.
Danny

[Sam]

Hi Gavin!

I was wondering. Those small 5" cymbals (above your hihats). What brand are they? Your kit was described in "De Slagwerkkrant" a couple months ago, but they said that they were "custom".

Can you tell me some more about them? And are they "tuned" in some sort of way?

All the best!

Sam

[Tolo]

Hi Gavin,

"Fear Of A Blank Planet" is already out here in Italy, bought it today, f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c album ! Although I don't think that you'll never "Anesthetize" anybody at that speed & volume !!! :-)

Keep up !

Andrea

[Sol Good]

Hi Gavin!

I was wondering. Those small 5" cymbals (above your hihats). What brand are they? Your kit was described in "De Slagwerkkrant" a couple months ago, but they said that they were "custom".

Can you tell me some more about them? And are they "tuned" in some sort of way?

All the best!

Sam

Pictures and everything...
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=246160&postcount=507

[Charterman50]

Hey Gavin - The PT site says you'll be in the SF Bay Area in early May. Will you be doing any clinics? (I hope) I am planning a to be there - buying tickets now. Let me know.

Thanks, Charterman

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Charterman50,
I don't think I'll be doing any clinics during the PT tour. It's too hard to organize - and when I have a day off - I really need a day off to rest.

Cheers
Gavin

[glen thomas]

Hi Gavin

I just watched the videos of you that were posted from a recent clinic. As always.. Great playing!!! You are truly gifted and one of my favs. Thanks also to Bernhard for posting those vids because where I live presently, there aren't many chances of drum clinics
so this site is a great educational arena for me :-)..

I have a few questions for ya Gavin. First.. how do you remember these songs? I've always been amazed by drummers like yourself and say Weckl and Buddy Rich who remember these complicated arrangements, some of which extend 10 minutes or longer.. What's your secret?

2nd. How long did it take you to come up with the drum parts for say "video 3" for example (the funky song you did at the clinic).

and lastly :-) can you tell me a little bit about the laptop setup you used at that clinic?
Is your entire music just on the laptop for example,, with music left and click to the right ? I'm really curious. Normally I use a mini disc player with my music panned one way and click the other with a small headphone amplifier when I play with my band but your setup looks so simple on the clinic videos.

Thanks Gavin
Good luck on the new Porcupine Tree tour.. :-) I am hoping to see you and Porcupine Tree in Toronto Canada...:-) It's a 500 mile drive for me but I'm hoping to get the time off to see the show.

glen thomas

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Glen,
I find it actually easier to remember complicated songs because they tell a kind of story - this bit follows that bit and goes onto that bit etc.- songs that have 4 verses and 7 choruses and are very repetative are harder because I'm probably going to forget which verse or chorus I'm in - plus I really don't like counting bars.

The 3rd video is called "Quite Firm" and I originally recorded it for my first DVD Rhythmic Visions about 6 years ago. I play that one a lot at drum clinics. I can't remember how long it took me to learn and develop it - probably a couple of weeks.

I use Logic Pro on a Mac Powerbook. It's connected via firewire to an M-Audio 410 box so that I can send a stereo mix to the front of house desk. I really wanted stereo rather than mono because there's some percussion stuff that's really stereo and it justs sounds nicer anyway. I plug into the headphone socket on the front of the M-Audio box and it's loud enough to hear the track over my drums. So far it's worked fine and it's a self contained package that doesn't rely on a monitor desk and engineer.

Cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

Hi Gavin,

I relation to your previous answer, I just heared the new song Anesthetize and I really like it.

Love the drumsound as well, real clean.

Anyway how do you record such a song, do you have a leadsheet, or do you have the whole song written out, or do you know it inside out??

Is the song recorded in one take or is it recorded in multiple takes.

Greeetz, Dre

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
"Anesthetize" was quite easy to record because we played it 20 times on tour first. When I recorded the demo I just needed to work out a way to play the start of the second section - that's about the only really tricky part in it. I tried many different rhythms in the different sections - but I was in my studio at home on my own so I had no pressure to come up with parts quickly. I think sections 1 & 2 were recorded together - and then in part 3 - the drum sound changes so obviously I did that separately.

Cheers
Gavin

[Sam]

RESPECT!

I really admirer of your recording skills gavin! It all sounds superpro!

Did you take some sort of an education on engineering? (sorry if you got this question a million times)

All the best, Sam!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam,
I haven't had any real education in audio engineering - but I've worked with a lot of great engineers and I always ask questions and discuss with them their techniques and choice of equipment. Other than that - just a lot of experimenting.

Cheers
Gavin

[cantstandyourfunk]

Thanks for being such an inspiration, Gavin

[Sam]

Do you have any future purshases in mind for your studio? Pre's, comp, eq?

[SickRick]

Hi Gavin and everybody else here!

I've listened to the song "The sound of Muzak" and really liked it, especially the main drumgroove. I went to play along with the song which is actually pretty simple once you've figured out the pattern. Yet, I couldn't really figure out how you came up with such a strange bassdrum pattern and such weird places for the backbeat. After a few times playing through I realized it:
Everything is in 7/16 - the Snare pattern AND the Bassdrum pattern - each pattern fits into one bar of 7/4 four times. That is why the sound and feel of the groove is so even. So my assumption is this: The pattern is really totally planned out and composed rather than based on a jam. I would have never guessed that because it feels so damn good.

I really have to tell you this: Compared to the genius idea of that groove, a groove like Seven Days is like playing in the sandbunker.... Man.... this is just amazing. Nobody who "just listens" will ever understand the complexity of this groove, you really have to take a closer look. That is just WOW.

Now my question is this: Is it really as I have guessed a composed and thought out groove, or did it just "happen" and the fact that all the parts are in 7/16 is just a coincidence?


Sorry if this has been brought up already - I was too lazy to read through all the 920 Posts in this thread....

For anybody interested, I have made a nice little transcription of the groove. I'm sure that some guys have played that groove and never realized how cool it actually is.... If you haven't played it: Here is your chance!
Sorry if the transcription is not 1000% right with the ghost notes, but they are really hard to hear through the mix (even with headphones) and Gavin plays quite some variations.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi SickRick,
Great job on the transcription.
Yes this was a very composed pattern. The only important part missing from your transcription is the quarter note accents on the hi hat. It gives the whole thing a regular pulse for the audience to hang on to. It's what I call "overriding" and it takes the 7/16 (kick and snare pattern) or 7/8 if you think of it in the musical context with the guitar line - and makes it 7/4. Great fun to play.

Cheers
Gavin

[SickRick]

Hi SickRick,
Great job on the transcription.
Yes this was a very composed pattern. The only important part missing from your transcription is the quarter note accents on the hi hat. It gives the whole thing a regular pulse for the audience to hang on to. It's what I call "overriding" and it takes the 7/16 (kick and snare pattern) or 7/8 if you think of it in the musical context with the guitar line - and makes it 7/4. Great fun to play.

Cheers
Gavin

Yeah.... I left that out because it looked funny with all the accents... I thought it would be common sense. ;)

That Song is truly fun to play. Everybody should give it a shot!

[Paul Quin]

Gavin:

Like many on this forum I am blown away with your inventiveness and controlled technique as well as the musicality in your playing. The purpose of this message, however, concerns your most recent contribution to Modern Drummer on the issue of independence. Although I live in Florida now, I grew up in the North of England and lived there until 1990. When I was fifteen or sixteen, late one friday night I watched, with my Dad, a Billy Cobham drum clinic being shown for some reason on BBC 2. I was blown away with the complexity of his remarkably simple single stroke pattern around his kit - he was playing with the left hand in a counter clockwise direction playing one stroke on each of three drums - and with the right hand in a clockwise directions playing one stroke on each of four drums.

I have tried to talk about this clinic with many many people since it was on TV. No-one ever knew what the hell I was talking about and multiple people thought I must be insane because when on earth would a Cobham drum clinic have ever been on TV - especially in the days when there were only three (or maybe four) channels. Quite frankly, I had started to believe maybe I imagined ther whole thing!

And then, out of the blue - your Modern Drummer column. Thanks!!!!

Paul

[shuffle]

Just listened to the song, with new ears inspired by the last few posts.

Great great part, and great song. The pattern flows so smoothly, you would't suspect such an underlying complexity. Wow. The bell accents are sooo tasty.... Congatulations, Gavin. If you don't mind, I'd be interested in knowing more about how you recorded the song.

Thanks Sickrick for pointing this song out.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Paul,
I'm sure I recorded that Billy Cobham BBC2 show - it must be up at my Mum's house - I'll have a look for it next time. It also featured Shakin' Stevens drummer (sorry can't recall his name) and Jazz drummer Nick France. The 3 of them play together at one point.
I haven't seen the MD article yet - which issue is it?

Hi Shuffle,
Glad you like "The Sound Of Muzak". I can clearly remember recording it early 2002 at Avatar in New York. Andy Karp (our A&R guy from Atlantic records) came down that day and sat at the control room window watching it. Everything came together very quickly - and the room was sounding so good. Had a great time making that whole record.

Cheers
Gavin

[Paul Quin]

Hi Paul,
I'm sure I recorded that Billy Cobham BBC2 show - it must be up at my Mum's house - I'll have a look for it next time. It also featured Shakin' Stevens drummer (sorry can't recall his name) and Jazz drummer Nick France. The 3 of them play together at one point.
I haven't seen the MD article yet - which issue is it?

Cheers
Gavin


Gavin:

I had forgotten about there being other drummers on the clinic. I think Shakey's drummer was a guy called Howard Tibble who I used to occasionally run into at Dingwalls in Camden Town (during a particularly depressing drumming time when I was living in the East End and playing with anybody who would pay me anything!).

The MD issue is the new one with Marco Minneman on the cover. I assume it is June 2007. Thanks for the response and good luck in finding the vid at your Mum's house!

Paul

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I was wondering if there are any transcription books of your stuff with PT. Probably not I'm guessing. It sure would be a cool thing to have though. All this talk about the main groove in Sound of Muzak (which has blown my mind for years now) but I really struggle with the chorus groove which is in 4/4.......right? The ride pattern is where I screw up. I think you are playing 3 16th notes on the ride over the snare and bass drum pattern but not straight through the whole pattern. Does that make any sense at all???

Daniel

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
the ride in the chorus is just playing quarter notes on the bell and the last two 16ths of every four on the body of the ride. (X xxX xxX xxX xx) That's all - straight 4/4 except the first snare in every bar is anticipated by a 16th before beat "2".

Cheers
Gavin

[Ogg]

Hi Gavin,
thoroughly enjoyed the Musikmesse pieces. I was going to ask how you remembered such complex parts but it's been answered, truly blown away by your playing.
I was amazed to find your 'Rhythmic Illusions' book at a friends place so I've attempting to get into that but it's primarily a FOABP track I wish to ask you about.
I remember being intrigued when listening to (what became) 'Sentimental' from the album preview. Now that I have the album I'm curious as to your excellent hi-hat sound throughout this excellent song? Not only it's place in the mix but it kinda stands out to me and damn genius it is too! Not too geeky a question I hope?

The new album is nigh-on perfect...but too damn short! :)
Thanks for your time.

Ogg.

[Gibbersticks]

Hi Gibbersticks,
the ride in the chorus is just playing quarter notes on the bell and the last two 16ths of every four on the body of the ride. (X xxX xxX xxX xx) That's all - straight 4/4 except the first snare in every bar is anticipated by a 16th before beat "2".

Cheers
Gavin

Awesome, thank you very much. I was close but couldn't put it together. I said it before but man you could fill a whole DVD with just fill ideas. Your "Visions" dvd has been HUGE for me mostly in terms of my sense of time thanks to the "Master exercises" section. I can't believe how much I have been improving lately.

Thanks again
Daniel

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Ogg,
maybe you mean the 'treated' loop thing? I made a 16 bar loop for the first part of the song - and then Steve mashed it up with some wild eq setting. Other than that it's just my 13" K hats recorded with an AKG CK391.

cheers
Gavin



I remember being intrigued when listening to (what became) 'Sentimental' from the album preview. Now that I have the album I'm curious as to your excellent hi-hat sound throughout this excellent song? Not only it's place in the mix but it kinda stands out to me and damn genius it is too!
.

[dannypenalver]

Hi Gavin
I was wondering...
you know that snare drum you've got ,this white sonor,what kind of wood is it made of .It sounds very warm and nice. what do you prefer wood or metal?
thanks Danny P

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Danny P,
yes that snare is an old Sonor Designer 12x5 maple drum. Generally I prefer wood drums - although I've had some nice metal ones in my time.

Cheers
Gavin

[bojan]

Hi,
My name is Bojan and I'm from Bosnia,a small country in Europe.I need some help:I can not find a tom holder for Sonor force 2000?Can enyone help me?

[dannypenalver]

Hi bojan!
well obiously you've got internet so! that's the solution go into musicstore.com and you can get pieces and stuff there is not trie ebay or arround your own country!
good luck!

[tmccartney]

Gavin:

Back in August '06, you posted (http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?p=187700&highlight=deadwing#post187700) that it had been a challenge playing Deadwing as an opening number every night because of its tempo and the adrenaline. How are you coping so far with playing the title track of the new album, which sounds like it's roughly the same tempo? Are the warmup routines helping?

My copy of FoaBP is on its way, and I've got my tickets to see you guys in Chicago June 1. Can't wait. :)


Tracey

[Tomas_Gold]

Hi Gavin!!!
I´ve seen the videos from the Musikmesse here in drummerworld, and in Youtube also...
It was amazing!!!! but the music was particular in a way... not so many drummers play above that kind of recordings.(they sound very cool). Those compositions where yours???
The best wishes,
keep going like that, you´re a great inspiration for lots of drummers!!!

Tomás

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Tracey,
Yes I'm still warming up - although the tune Deadwing had a much longer section of playing an open hi hat (before having a rest) than FOABP does - so it seems a little easier.

Cheers
Gavin




Back in August '06, you posted (http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?p=187700&highlight=deadwing#post187700) that it had been a challenge playing Deadwing as an opening number every night because of its tempo and the adrenaline. How are you coping so far with playing the title track of the new album, which sounds like it's roughly the same tempo? Are the warmup routines helping?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Tomas_Gold,

"but the music was particular in a way... not so many drummers play above that kind of recordings.(they sound very cool). Those compositions where yours???"

Of the "Frankfurt" tunes I co-wrote the 2nd one with keyboard player Dave Stewart. The 1st was written by Gary Sanctuary and the 3rd was written by Laurence Cottle.

Cheers
Gavin

[Tomas_Gold]

Another little question... Which was the hi-hat you used in MusikMesse? A combination of K and A?
Thanks for answering,

Tomas

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Tomas,
the hi hats I used were regular 13" K Zildjians.

Cheers
Gavin

[mr.beefhead]

Hi Gavin,

Thank you for answering questions from your fans here, it's very cool of you as I know you are an extremely busy man most of the time!

A quick one for you: Have you ever had a particular song that was a huge challenge to play, not from a technical standpoint, but from trying to get the right feel or emotion for the track? Is it a hard thing to do as I assume you're playing to a scratch track that probably doesn't have vocals? Are you given some notes regarding the feel of the song from the producer (like, oh say, Steven)?

I'm looking forward to receiving my signed Ltd. Edition of FOABP from Newbury Comics(did the whole band sign them or just Steven?) and the show in Boulder on May 15th!

Thanks again!
Derek

[mixamuss]

Hi Gavin,

Caught your show in Newcastle last night....Awesome. As always your playing was inspirational and the band performed superbly.

Congratulations on the new album, seeing/hearing the songs played 'live' was a real treat.

Lastly, your drum sound was superb. Could you shed any light on your miking arrangement and head combinations?

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Mr Beefhead,
I can't think of a track that I struggled with from a feel/emotional standpoint - when I play on PT stuff there's always a guide vocal to play to. Sometimes producers suggest things to me regarding what feel they're looking for - usually they just leave it up to me to find my own path with a song.

Cheers
Gavin


A quick one for you: Have you ever had a particular song that was a huge challenge to play, not from a technical standpoint, but from trying to get the right feel or emotion for the track? Is it a hard thing to do as I assume you're playing to a scratch track that probably doesn't have vocals? Are you given some notes regarding the feel of the song from the producer ?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mixamuss,
glad you enjoyed the show. My head and mic choice live are the same as in the studio. Just look back a few pages and you'll see all the answers you're looking for.

Cheers
Gavin

[diane]

Hi Gavin, et al.
I just stumbled over Iggy Pop's hilarious concert rider:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1004061iggypop1.html

Care to comment?

[hauk]

any chance of you guys adding more US tour dates? the south is noticeably absent

[xush]

any chance of you guys adding more US tour dates? the south is noticible absent

yes, please!
I just bought the Rhythmic Visions DVD, enjoyed my first perusal today- will be watching it many more times to come, I can see.

I think it is only fair, in reciprocity, that Gavin arrange for southern US dates to be added.

[Frostilicus]

Hi again Gavin

You wear earphones during performances. Are these just for protection or do they have a monitor mix (and if so what?)

Cheers

Frosty

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi hauk & xush,
we'd love to play some dates in the south. It's not going to happen this time round - but maybe in the fall.

Hi Frostilicus
yes the headphones serve two purposes - so I can monitor and not blow my hearing due to loud snare rim shots, open hi hats and crash cymbals. At the moment I have some Sennheiser MX400 (inside a custom mould) and I recently bought some Ultimate Ears UE10's. As fabulous as the UE 10's are - I seem to enjoy the gig more with the Sennheisers.


Cheers
Gavin

[JeffV71]

Hey Gavin,

Can you describe a typical day at a PT rehearsal? How involved are you aside from the drumming aspect of things? Also, what is your pre-show routine? Some warm-up for a while, some stretch, some do nothing.

Thanks in advance for your response.

Cheers
Jeff

p.s.: I love your latest "cut down" experiment. Yo're getting to be quite good at this eh?!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JeffV71,
we actually don't rehearse that much - only a few days before a tour. We turn up - play through the songs - and then go home. Pretty simple really. Usually all the arranging is done before hand - the guys work out their parts at home - and it all comes together really well in rehearsals.
I'm involved in the production side of things films and sync etc. so I spend some time working on that at home. There's other business stuff that we're all involved in - just running a band.

Pre show I just try to warm up on a pad for 15 minutes playing doubled stroke and single stroke rolls.

Cheers
Gavin

[loveporcupine]

Hi Gavin,

I m not a drummer but i saw last week for the first time the "arriving somewhere" DVD.
I mean I ve got like over 8000 cd's (lot of jazz, rock and also electronic) but i was never so impressed by a drummer! I feel like i have to tell to the whole world what amazing musician you are (and the rest of the band also).

I mean with PT you celebrate rock music like maceo parker celebrates the funk!
this DVD is just amazing!!!!!!!!!

I have already bought the tickets for the 22. june in Cologne, I'm from Basel / Switzerland, I cannot wait to see PT.

2 questions:
- how does it comes that you played with so many Italian artists?
- how did you become a member of PT?

ok Gavin, what should i say more... keep on playing and rocking!

greetz
lionel

[Holomorph]

Hi Gavin,

Just saw you with Porcupine Tree last night in Wolverhampton, easily one of the best gigs I've ever been to, you were nothing short of mindblowing (even more so than I expected, and the rest of the band was great as well!), amazing playing, great sound, wonderful setlist. At the end of the show all I could think about was jumping on the kit and playing drums!

I had a question about one of the songs you played, specifically the penultimate one (second in the encore, just before "Halo"), I think it was an instrumental. Is that a piece you guys are working on for the next album (I thought it was more in the style of FOABP than anything else, so I'm leaning towards this)? In any case, it sounded amazing!

Thanks for all the great playing,
Cosmin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi loveporcupine,

- how does it comes that you played with so many Italian artists?
- how did you become a member of PT?

I started working in Italy in the late 1980's with "Alice" and one thing just followed another. I worked a lot with Claudio Baglioni from 1992 to the 2006.

When the last drummer of Porcupine Tree left - Richard Barbieri invited me to come to New York and record "In Absentia" with the band. After that they asked me to join as a permanent member.

Hi Holomorph,
the song just before "Halo" was "Mother & Child Divided" written and recorded around 3 years ago for the "Deadwing" album cycle. It appeared as a B side and is also on the live DVD "Arriving Somewhere..."

Glad you enjoyed the show

Cheers
Gavin

[Holomorph]

Thanks, I had in fact just ordered the DVD, can't wait to watch it. I've also found it on Porcupine Tree's MySpace page actually.

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,
Thanks for Fear of a Blank Planet, another fine offering. Keep up the exciting work. Best wishes from NY.

MM

[Bola]

I've just heard for Gavin.He is genious!

[Frostilicus]

Hurrah, PT in Cambridge tonight! :-)

Gavin: I have to ask, what's the connection between the new album and Public Enemy's "Fear of a black planet"? ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_a_Black_Planet )

[jonny]

gavin, just checked the download website and saw Porcupine Tree are playing the second stage on Friday! awesome news. i always thought it'd be great to see the mighty mighty tree at a festival (especially download) but I didn't really expect it. what a surprise. will this be PT's first appearance at a major UK festival? I imagine they must be somewhat different from normal gigs, what with no soundcheck and slightly dodgy sound, but fun nonetheless. I'm expecting a heavy set!

[fromyesterday]

I just watched the Arriving DVD 4 times over the past few days. What an amazing DVD.

First watch, payed attention to Gavin mostly, the part where you rub your finger across the drum head in Hatesong blew me away. I had to "rewind" that section a few times. It's been a long time since I've seen a drummer be that creative without just busting endless chops. The sections on the rim were great as well. It was also really nice seeing what I call the "evolution" - the difference between the recorded playing and the "i've played these songs many times on tour and have modified some things and improved my improv of fills". Usually their is a huge difference between what I record for a record compared to months after the fact. I never memorize fills and improv almost everything unless it's musically needed. I love it.

Second watch through I got a kick out of the bass player. I couldn't help but smile every time the edit brought him into the picture smiling and sitting back in the pocket.

After that I took in the quality of the entire DVD. It's once of the most well put together/edited/mixed/whatever concert DVDs I've ever owned.

I remember being young, my best friend (guitar player), showed me an Al Di Meola record. I don't recall which one, but I remember thinking "this guy is supposed to be some great guitarist, where's the flash? (ahh being young)". Suddenly Al Di plays some amazing exotic run up and down the fret board only to return back to the song/groove. It's at that point I understood. A great musician uses his or her arsenal tastefully.

Your playing returned me to this point and has inspired me to revisit the idea of playing for the song as opposed to playing for myself. Besides, if you play for the song you end up playing for yourself as a by product; play for yourself and you often times fail to play for the song.

I also find it humbling that you are kind enough to continue answering questions and discussing things with your admirers and fans. A true class act and musician.

Finally, hundreds of posts back you used a phrase along the lines of "smartass rythm" in reference to how PT tries to bring the audience along with odd timings without boring them. I plan on using that phrase with a few members of my band :)

[Dazza]

Hi Gavin,

Yet another fine performance at Cambridge last night - this is becoming a bit of a habit! Congrats to the band on the awesome new album, which is certainly going to give myself and some fellow musicians inspiration and torment in equal measures.

(a drummer friend of mine is constantly cursing about some of the techniques he's been studying from your DVD, and I'm sure FOABP will give him plenty more to think about!)

All best,
Darren

[Frostilicus]

Hi Gavin,

Yet another fine performance at Cambridge last night - this is becoming a bit of a habit! Congrats to the band on the awesome new album, which is certainly going to give myself and some fellow musicians inspiration and torment in equal measures.

(a drummer friend of mine is constantly cursing about some of the techniques he's been studying from your DVD, and I'm sure FOABP will give him plenty more to think about!)

All best,
Darren

Greets Darren

Yes, it was a splendid show last night. PT are too big for the Junction now I reckon, it was more crowded than the previous two gigs!

You live in Cambridge?

[Dazza]

Hi Frostilicus,

No, I live in Lowestoft, Suffolk. But the Junction is such a great venue that it's well worth the journey. I know what you mean about the number of people though, there was barely enough arm space to applaud! Still, a strong indication that PT are getting the interest they deserve.

I probably risk looking like I'm not totally familiar with the full back catalogue of the band (because I'm not!), but would you - or anyone else on here - happen to know the name of the song that followed Blackest Eyes (and preceded Sever)? It was very mellow and I'm sure I've not heard it before.

Cheers,
Darren

[Frostilicus]

Hi Frostilicus,

No, I live in Lowestoft, Suffolk. But the Junction is such a great venue that it's well worth the journey. I know what you mean about the number of people though, there was barely enough arm space to applaud! Still, a strong indication that PT are getting the interest they deserve.

I probably risk looking like I'm not totally familiar with the full back catalogue of the band (because I'm not!), but would you - or anyone else on here - happen to know the name of the song that followed Blackest Eyes (and preceded Sever)? It was very mellow and I'm sure I've not heard it before.

Cheers,
Darren


Um, can't remember the set order - I'm sure Gavin can help us out here! :D

[gapwedge]

I've registered here just to say thank you Gavin and the rest of the band for the awesome show in Bristol on Tuesday night. I was right at the front, unfortunately close to the lager fiends who shouted "You guys f*@+ing rock" between every song but had a perfect view of your playing. I have just started learning the drums but after seeing you, I feel like eating my vic firths!

Seeing you play was about as perfect an example as I could wish to see of someone using their kit as an instrument to fit in with the song and the band and not just to keep time. Everything about your playing was spot on, the sound of drums and cymbals, feel, groove, it was all there

My now long-suffering wife would like to complain about me brainwashing her with talk of Porcupine Tree this and Gavin Harrison that but I know how she feels as some of the new album tracks have been going around in my head since last week. I don't know if you may have read it, but there's an Arthur C Clarke short story "The Ultimate Melody" that sort of sums up my mind at the moment, melodies going around and around in there with no sign of letting up!

Thank you again, Gavin.

I wish you and the band every success in the future.

PS Sorry to sound such a sycophant!

[gary191265]

Hi Frostilicus,

No, I live in Lowestoft, Suffolk. But the Junction is such a great venue that it's well worth the journey. I know what you mean about the number of people though, there was barely enough arm space to applaud! Still, a strong indication that PT are getting the interest they deserve.

I probably risk looking like I'm not totally familiar with the full back catalogue of the band (because I'm not!), but would you - or anyone else on here - happen to know the name of the song that followed Blackest Eyes (and preceded Sever)? It was very mellow and I'm sure I've not heard it before.

Cheers,
Darren

It was Half Light from the 'Lazarus' single (and Deadwing DVD-A)

[Dazza]

It was Half Light from the 'Lazarus' single (and Deadwing DVD-A)

Thanks for the info - great song!

Darren

[Grandmaster Foefstreler]

Hey Gavin,

After reading for months I deceided to join this interesting discussion. I also would like to say that I really like F.O.A.B.P. and your drumsound is so great on this record. Was it your idea to put more of the room mics in the mix in songs like Anesthitize and Sleep Together and keep it more tight in the title track or was it Stevens idea? Anyhow, the album rocks and I'd only wish there was more after your final drumfill in Sleep Together.

But the reason I post is the following: At a gig last week finally another cymbal cracked round the edges (never thought I would say that, haha) so I deceided to give your custom cymbal cutting idea a try.

This is the result:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s267/Grandmasterfoefstreler/CustomCymbals1.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s267/Grandmasterfoefstreler/CustomCymbals2.jpg

From left to right: 14" Sabian AAX Studio Crash, 14" Sabian AXX Mini Chinese, 16" Sabian AAX Studio Crash.

The sound of the 16" is not very good. It vibrates/swings to much so today I'm gonna do something about that.
The other two sound really great (although I haven't been able to play them with a drumkit/ regular cymbalset.)

I have to say that for me the trick of mounting the crash in a drill and rotatating it over a piece of sandpaper did not work, so I did it all by hand which took me quite a while.

Gavin, I really would like to thank you for giving us the idea/instructions. I'm really happy with the result and also having 3 extra cymbals for free.
I still have one question for you though. I read that you used a 16" Z crash, cut it down to 8" and then you did bend the edges?? How did you do that??

Cheers,
Marc

[atman]

I´m a student from Spain and something particular on your sound made me focus on your Rhyhtmic lessons.

QUESTION nº1: I would like to buy Rythmic Visions DVD. The problem is that North American dvd´s can´t be played on European systems as they are from different areas.
Where can I buy a compatible version for Rythmic Visions? (which would correspond to area number 2)

I must apologise for my English as I´m just a beginner and of course I would like to say that I´m truly captivated by your sound and methodology.

QUESTION nº2: What´s the sequence of studying between books and dvd´s?
Would it be:
1.- R.Illusions 2.- R.Perspectives 3.-R.Visions 4.-R.Horizons
or
1.- R.Illusions 2.- R.Visions 3.-R.Perspectives 4.-R. Horizons ??????


Sorry if I´m asking something already posted but I couldn´t find it or maybe I missed it.
Thanks a lot!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Grandmaster Foefstreler,
I designed the drum sounds for each song - so it was my idea to use a very ambient rock sound in those pieces.
Probably your 16" that vibrates too much could be cut down more. Not every cymbal I've cut down has been fantastic - but worth trying as the cymbal was unplayable when it was broken anyway. The Z cymbal I cut just took on that 'bent upwards' shape as I worked on it.

Cheers
Gavin

Was it your idea to put more of the room mics in the mix in songs like Anesthitize and Sleep Together and keep it more tight in the title track or was it Stevens idea? Anyhow, the album rocks and I'd only wish there was more after your final drumfill in Sleep Together.

The sound of the 16" is not very good. It vibrates/swings to much so today I'm gonna do something about that.
I read that you used a 16" Z crash, cut it down to 8" and then you did bend the edges?? How did you do that??

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi atman


QUESTION nº1: I would like to buy Rythmic Visions DVD. The problem is that North American dvd´s can´t be played on European systems as they are from different areas.
Where can I buy a compatible version for Rythmic Visions?

Don't worry the DVD will play in ALL players - it's region free.

QUESTION nº2: What´s the sequence of studying between books and dvd´s?
Would it be:
1.- R.Illusions 2.- R.Perspectives 3.-R.Visions 4.-R.Horizons
or
1.- R.Illusions 2.- R.Visions 3.-R.Perspectives 4.-R. Horizons

Both of these sequences would be fine. A lot of the lessons on "DVD Rhythmic Visions" are from the first book "Rhythmic Illusions". The main concepts are based in these 2 products - so it would be better to see these first.

Cheers
Gavin

[mixamuss]

Hi Gavin,

Now that the UK leg of the PT tour is over how did it compare to previous UK tours?

On a technical note, I was reading through previous threads and (if I read it right??) you mentioned that you use two mics on the bass drum (one on a pillow insode the drum, and one just inside the soundhole). Your 'live' sound is awesome so it clearly works...how can advise our sound guy to set this up at the desk in order to trial it?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Mix

[Gethin]

hi Gavin,

just wanted to say, i love the new album!! Anesthetize is so cool... some parts of that song i just cannot get enough of!! awesome man!! keep up the inspiring work!!

[Jazztree.O]

Hello Gavin!

I only want to say that your playing is such a big inspiration for me! I love viewing your DVDs!

I'm a huge fan of your drumming since I heared you playing on "In Absentia".

I saw you a few years ago in Nuremberg with Porcupine Tree and it was just brilliant!
I hope you will come to the southern parts of Germany again, maybe in autumn?

Best wishes

Jazztree.O

p.s. Your drum sound is always excellent if it's now on records or live!

When you are not too busy you are invited to check my bands' page:

www.myspace.com/jazztreeo

[Burger]

Hi Gavin!

I just only wanted to thank your for that what you are doing. I love your drumming! Especially when you play with Porcupine Tree! :D

You have so much feeling and you groove a lot. I listen to Porcupine Tree every day and the drumming is absolutely awesome. The grooves, the fills... AWESOME! You play "Progressive Rock" in a absolutely new way!

BTW: I was that small guy which spoke with you at Musikmesse Frankfurt on Saturday in the Hall for Drums ;) (Before your gig on the Agora Stage). Thanks for having time and be so friendly! This was the highlight of the year i think! :)

One Question: What is your advice for drummers? What should they consider mostly?

Thanks for everything! =)

If you have time, please check my bands myspace

http://www.myspace.com/solusprog (I would be very happy if you would say something about our records)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Mix,
although I use the two mic thing at home in the studio - for 'live' our sound engineer just uses the Shure SM91 inside the bass drum on a pillow. Glad you liked the live drum sound - I loved playing the new SQ2 kit.

Cheers
Gavin


On a technical note, I was reading through previous threads and (if I read it right??) you mentioned that you use two mics on the bass drum (one on a pillow insode the drum, and one just inside the soundhole). Your 'live' sound is awesome so it clearly works...how can advise our sound guy to set this up at the desk in order to trial it?

[drummingman]

hi gavin.do you know if any drum teachers in the usa are skilled in your systems from your books,like dom famularo or tiger bill. i really want to get into your books and dvds but to be honest some of it is just over my head.
thanks.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi drummingman,
I really don't know personally of any teachers that are using my methods in the US.

cheers
Gavin

[British Boy]

Hey Gavin, I met you after the gig at the Carling Academy in Newcastle, I got you to sign one of my pads and I probably drooled over you ect. I was standing with John the guitarist.

Anyway, i'm not ashamed to say that your playing that night was so beautiful it made me cry. I was standing at the front cheering you on the whole night.

- Jezen Thomas

[Drizzle]

Hi Gavin,

Could you share some of your recording techniques with us. I just love your 'natural' open sound on the new album.

Just how you use compression, reverb etc.

Can't believe you use any gates, or maybe some long ones then

Do you add reverb on individual channels or on the end mix, or do you use room mics

Do you start with the overheads and then add snare, bass etc..

I know recording drums depends on the room, the drums and mics etc. But maybe you have some general tips and tricks.

[British Boy]

I take it Gavin layed down his tracks for FOABP in his home studio, right?

[Drizzle]

I take it Gavin layed down his tracks for FOABP in his home studio, right?

Yeah, I'm not totally shure but I believe after In Absentia the drums where recorded at his own studio.

[Grandmaster Foefstreler]

Hey Gavin,

Just wanted to say that I used my custom build cymbals at a gig tonight and they sounded amazing. Especially in ballads they cut thru the mix beautifully. Everyone asked me what that weird cymbal effects were.
I made the 16" one a bit smaller just like you advised and it turned out great. Somehow the 3 cymbals seem to have relative pitch from each other wich is cool.

I also have a question for you about your in-ears. I think every drummer agrees that playing drums is so great because of its loudness and the kick you get/feel everytime you play your bassdrum on stage.
Because I don't want to be deaf in 5 years my question for you is if you still get a kick out of drumming with in-ears. Don't you miss the low end? Or do you perhaps play with a shaker/ or maybe you have tried one?
I must admit I don't enjoy playing my drums with earplugs and I tend to hit de drums much harder. I also feel like I'm not there, on stage, because everything sounds so far away (although I play with custom-fit musician earplugs). That way my playing turns out to be uninspired and dull.
I'm thinking about buying an in-ear system but don't want to waiste money.

Thanks,
Marc

[drummingman]

Hi drummingman,
I really don't know personally of any teachers that are using my methods in the US.

cheers
Gavin
well i guess that means that at some point i will have to fly over to where you are and take a lesson with you.how much do you charge an hour for lessons and where exactly are you from.i thought that i read that you are from britain.
also,if your ever in the US in the virginia area can you please drop me an e mail at beatboxbrown@hotmail.com and let me know.maybe i could come out before a show or something and take a lesson.i know that you have played the 9:30 club in washingto dc with PT and thats not far from me.any planes to come back there anytime soon? or any plans to come to va or anywhere else in dc anytime soon? it would be killer to take a lesson for you whenever you come through my area if you are able to do it.

[British Boy]

If you get a lesson from God, then I too want a lesson from God. I've wanted lessons from Gavin for aaaggeesss. Besides, I live closer to his house than you do :p

[Stijnn1990]

Hi Gavin...
What books or other things did you practise from (or maybe still practising of)?
I really like your videos from the MusikMesse... Espessialy the song in 19/8!

Thanks..
Stijn

[Drizzle]

well i guess that means that at some point i will have to fly over to where you are and take a lesson with you.how much do you charge an hour for lessons and where exactly are you from.i thought that i read that you are from britain.
also,if your ever in the US in the virginia area can you please drop me an e mail at beatboxbrown@hotmail.com and let me know.maybe i could come out before a show or something and take a lesson.i know that you have played the 9:30 club in washingto dc with PT and thats not far from me.any planes to come back there anytime soon? or any plans to come to va or anywhere else in dc anytime soon? it would be killer to take a lesson for you whenever you come through my area if you are able to do it.

Although lessons from Gavin would be great, learning to play drums at any level is something for 80% you have to do yourself.
If you got the books and the DVD's then you have to use them together, work on the book then have a look at the DVD to look and hopefully learn from the way Gavin does it.

At first his books/DVD's blew me away too, but if you spend some time on it it will come to you. Just believe in yourself, the progress you make everytime will become bigger.

You won't be able to play the whole book for a long time, these are not easy books.

Lately I've been working on Gary Chesters New Breed books, where you have to the sing over coordination exercises, and the progress I made is just unbelieveable. My playing has become so much tighter, my timing improved, and even without there being double bass exercises in the book my double bass playing improved. Because my sense of time got so much better all my limbs now work better together. When you sing you're more mentally aware of what's going on.

Like Gavin says in his section Polyrhythmic Theory : The brain is the center where all real understanding and processing of rhythmic information takes place.

And remember playing drums is just your four limbs beating a rhythm. And your brain controls your limbs.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
I like to use the Waves C1 compressor - it's a plug in compressor that I have inside Logic Pro on my Mac. For reverbs I like the Space Designer and I know Steve Wilson likes to use the D-Verb. I'm lucky enough to have a big live room here at my studio and so two pairs of live ambient mics were used. One pair about 4 metres away and the other at about 8 metres away. I compensate for the delay of these mics by pulling the tracks back in time on Logic Pro. (There's 3 milliseconds of delay in every metre).
Mixing is a very personal thing - everyone hears it a little bit differently - but I know what I like and what I'm trying to achieve for any particular song. The end result is in my mind right from the moment that I begin to record.

Experimentation is the key to improvement for me. I've had the same desk and (mostly) the same mics here for the last 10 years - but the recorded and mixed sound I get now is so much better - the only thing that has really changed is my experience.

cheers
Gavin



Just how you use compression, reverb etc.

Can't believe you use any gates, or maybe some long ones then

Do you add reverb on individual channels or on the end mix, or do you use room mics

Do you start with the overheads and then add snare, bass etc..

I know recording drums depends on the room, the drums and mics etc. But maybe you have some general tips and tricks.

[Alexdrum75]

Hi Mr. Harrison, hi all folks!!

I'm new to this wonderful forum.
Let me introduce myself: I'm Alex from Italy, I'm a 32 y.o. drummer.
I've come to a point in my life where I've made up my mind and finally decided to become a studio session drummer.

I've played drums for about 12 years now (if I remember correctly I was 16 when I started), had some formal lessons, attended two Gary Chaffee's seminars, read music fairly well.

I've got a rather low faith in Italy's music schools, especially when it comes to the drums.
I don't want to dig into the topic "how to work as a musician in Italy" here so I started to look around myself checking out all the different possibilities of studying abroad.

The first option: U.S.A.
There's the common belief that, in order to become a real studio musician, you have to go and study in the U.S.A. (L.A., Nashville, etc...) but here's the drawback: money.

It takes a LOT of money to go and study there, much more than I can afford.

So the alternative. Here's my question: mr. Harrison, can you suggest me the next step, that is where to study in the UK...?

Thanks in advance and lemme say that your exhibition at the Krankfurt MusikMesse was impressive and quite intimidating at the same time... hehehe....

Hope to hear from you on this forum...

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Grandmaster Foefstreler,
Recently I bought the Ultimate Ears UE10's and they sound amazing...but when I got to rehearsals with the band I found they were too good. They blocked out SO much outside sound it made me feel very strange - and I ended up hitting the drums too hard. I went back to using my cheap moulds with 'walkman' style headphones in. I know they don't sound great but I could hear some of my acoustic sound as well as the sound coming through the headphones.

For the bass drum I use an 18" sub speaker right behind me. That gives me a great low end thump when I hit the bass drum. Then I have one channel on my personal mixer that is just the high frequency of the bass drum. A REALLY clicky sound - and in the songs where I play a lot of double bass drum stuff I can turn that up in my headphones so that I can hear the articulation - and hopefully play it in time. It's a waste of time trying to get a good bass drum sound on in ears - you just can't get the right amount of thump.

I tried a stool mounted shaker/kicker thing - but I really hated it because it had a slight delay in it's response (about 10ms) and every note felt like a flam. Maybe it was just the one I tried.

Cheers
Gavin




I also have a question for you about your in-ears. I think every drummer agrees that playing drums is so great because of its loudness and the kick you get/feel everytime you play your bassdrum on stage.
Because I don't want to be deaf in 5 years my question for you is if you still get a kick out of drumming with in-ears. Don't you miss the low end? Or do you perhaps play with a shaker/ or maybe you have tried one?

[Drizzle]

I use Cubase SX3 running on XP.

Since I don't use a Mac and Logic I'm not familliar with Space Designer.

I do know the Waves C1 and I've used it before, but because the lack of CPU power I'm kind of forced to limit the use of too much plugins.

For a reverb I've used many types, but lately I've been using Altiverb 6 (http://www.audioease.com/Pages/Altiverb/AltiverbMain.html)
And I'm very happy with it, you can use presets, and adjust many settings on it.

My drumspace is very small so I need to create a 'artificial' room. The other problem is that the 'control' room is the same room as the room where the drums are so setting up the mixer can be a pain, since I hear the drum being played 'live' and through the mixer so I can't really hear the sound from the mixer.
But hey no problems no challenges.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Alexdrum,
finding a great teacher is very important - someone who can really help you progress and achieve your playing goals. Actually getting hired for sessions is another thing altogether - and something that I can't really advise on - other than to say that playing with and meeting as many musicians as you can - and being a drummer who is highly employable - in other words having the required skills to get an opportunity of a break somewhere. BUT don't expect "Mega Band X" to call you up the day you get finished with your lessons. Just making a living out of music deserves a medal these days - no matter what you're playing - wedding band - holiday camp - touring theatre productions - pubs and clubs for low fees etc. IF you are really good - people will notice and eventually you will get small breaks that might lead somewhere.

Although I never studied with him personally - I know many players who have - and therefore I would recommend Bob Armstrong ( http://www.bobarmstrong.co.uk/ ).
A great drummer and a great teacher. I was fortunate to see Bob do a drum clinic when I was about 15 years old in my local music store - and he completely blew me away. This guy knows what he's doing and what he's talking about.

Cheers
Gavin




So the alternative. Here's my question: mr. Harrison, can you suggest me the next step, that is where to study in the UK...?

[DrumSound]

Thanks to Gavin's advice, I decided to try my hand at cutting down 3 cymbal that have been laying round for years.
The way I did it was, write inside the bell what cymbal it was (for later reference)
then cut down the cymbal to there rough size.
the rest you can see from the photos.
Cost was about 30 Euro and they sound great.

PS. Don't forget eye protection, even when cutting little bits of cymbal fly all over the place.

[Alexdrum75]

Hi Alexdrum,
finding a great teacher is very important - someone who can really help you progress and achieve your playing goals. Actually getting hired for sessions is another thing altogether - and something that I can't really advise on - other than to say that playing with and meeting as many musicians as you can - and being a drummer who is highly employable - in other words having the required skills to get an opportunity of a break somewhere. BUT don't expect "Mega Band X" to call you up the day you get finished with your lessons. Just making a living out of music deserves a medal these days - no matter what you're playing - wedding band - holiday camp - touring theatre productions - pubs and clubs for low fees etc. IF you are really good - people will notice and eventually you will get small breaks that might lead somewhere.

Although I never studied with him personally - I know many players who have - and therefore I would recommend Bob Armstrong ( http://www.bobarmstrong.co.uk/ ).
A great drummer and a great teacher. I was fortunate to see Bob do a drum clinic when I was about 15 years old in my local music store - and he completely blew me away. This guy knows what he's doing and what he's talking about.

Cheers
Gavin

Thank you very much,
I surely will look forward to contact Mr. Armstrong.
I'd also like to say that I'm really concious of all the difficulties involved in making a living out of music, especially in a country like Italy, where the new generation of italian drummers seem to lack and you end up seeing always the same three drummers working as studio session players.
Another thing is to going abroad for a living, nowadays there are few italian drummers around the world that are succesful.
Although not italian, Enzo Todesco is one of these that have done it.

My job will be to be prepared when the chance will come...

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drumsound,
they look great - good job well done. If they are a bit splashy - it looks like some of them could be even smaller.

FOLKS, PLEASE BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN DOING THIS - TAKE ALL THE PRECAUTIONS YOU CAN - I DON'T WANT ANYONE GETTING HURT FOLLOWING SOME IDEA OF MINE***



***(except some amount of brain ache following the Rhythmic Contortions books and DVD's - which is to be expected).

Cheers
Gavin

[glen thomas]

Hi ya Gavin

I just got my copy of "Fear of a Blank Planet" and all I can say is "superb".
The writing, the playing, the production, the dynamics, the depth...all excellent. Porcupine Tree is destined to be, if not already, one of the greats like Rush, Floyd, Yes and the likes in my opinion.

I love your playing on the album. You play so tight and flow effortlessly into different grooves, and Steve Wilson's an amazing writer to come up with all these song segments that seem to mesh perfectly. The album
flows so well from beginning to end which is something rarely heard in music now a days. I enjoyed the album the first play and it gets better with every play.
The video is also great. I viewed it on your P.T. Myspace site
yesterday and linked it to my local music forum for musicians in my hometown area to view. It's so nice to hear an album that is not a cooky cutter image of something else.
You are very original and I hope you and the band keep getting stronger.

Thanks for yet another wonderful masterpiece.

glen thomas

[xush]

I just got my copy of "Fear of a Blank Planet" and all I can say is "superb".
You play so tight and flow effortlessly into different grooves

got mine yesterday, and I definitely agree~
I especially noticed the flow, which is impressive with this kind of music.
It makes me think Gavin has some sort of percussionistic prescience, because the feel and flow is so smooth. I know it's a result of composing, arranging, and most likely a lot of rehearsing, but whereas that could kill the spontaneity in some cases, it doesn't here.
To me, it feels more like it's just flowing along, and I'm impressed that PT can pull that off. A lot of prog these days seems to lose the emotive qualities and nuances in favor of tricky twists and turns, and I'm so glad PT seems to value mood and melody over forced complexity.

The fills, as always, are so unexpected and original, that's one of my fav things about the PT material. Kudos on another fine display of skills tempered by taste. I love it~

[AronMapex]

he's very good .