The Paradiddler Drum Covers

paradiddler · #1 08-27-2010, 07:31 PM

Hi all.

I thought that instead of creating a new thread every time I record a drum cover, I'll just post here every time I have a new one.

My latest is Rush's "Jacob's Ladder", the live version from Exit... Stage Left. This is one of my all time favorite songs. I will be writing an article at my web site (TheParadiddler.com) soon detailing what decisions I made when recording, such as what 'mistakes' to leave in, record in one take or multiple (this recording's one take), etc. The video quality is fine - just keep watching (you'll know what I mean when you see it).

Enjoy!

"Jacob's Ladder"

paradiddler · #2 10-01-2010, 11:54 PM

Hey all.

And it's done! The article I promised detailing what I went through to get this cover recorded (the one mentioned above):

Drum Cover - "Jacob's Ladder" by Rush, Exit... Stage Left"

It wasn't easy (not that many Rush songs are easy). In any case, I hope you find the article useful!

Till next time.

paradiddler · #3 12-01-2010, 05:38 AM

Hi everyone.

I just recorded another drum cover. It's Rush's "Double Agent", from their 1993 Counterparts release. Definitely one of my all-time favorite Rush songs. Rush fans will notice the middle instrumental part changed a bit, but it fits! An article explaining everything behind the recording is forthcoming. In the meantime, enjoy!

Rush Drum Cover - Double Agent

paradiddler · #4 12-05-2010, 11:01 PM

Hi everyone again!

I've posted the drum cover article detailing everything behind my latest drum cover. I go over why I picked the song, some recording decisions I made that I hadn't done before, and the real reason I recorded the song the way I did.

Drum Cover - Rush, "Double Agent"

I hope you enjoy the info!

paradiddler · #5 02-04-2011, 07:05 PM

Hey all!

I've just posted a new drum cover at my site. This one is Paramore's "That's What You Get", the unplugged version. The link will take you to the video and article detailing the 'making of', so to speak. I hope you like it!

keep it simple · #6 02-04-2011, 07:47 PM

Liking the fireplace, but the performance seems a bit muted and lacking feel for the song. Just a bit too straight for me, sorry.

paradiddler · #7 02-04-2011, 08:03 PM

Hey Simple,

No worries! I appreciate the feedback. The difficulty was in the simplicity, you could say. I purposely held back a bit the volume of my drums so as not to overpower the rest of the audio - that's always somewhat of a balancing act for me. I just hope to keep improving!

Thanks again. :)

Fox622003 · #8 02-04-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keep it simple

Liking the fireplace, but the performance seems a bit muted and lacking feel for the song. Just a bit too straight for me, sorry.

I have to agree, look at Zac perform this live!
Perhaps it's time to invest in some recording equipment, so you can fine tune everything afterwards and mix it nicely with the track.

Fox.

paradiddler · #9 02-04-2011, 08:46 PM

Hey Fox,

Working on the recording equipment (and software) as we speak!

You guys rock - thanks!

Tony Ward · #10 02-05-2011, 01:34 AM

Great playing. I think once you get your equipment you will be fantastic!

richkenyon · #11 02-05-2011, 06:25 PM

Sorry, that's one of the worst-tuned snare drums I have ever heard!

paradiddler · #12 02-06-2011, 08:07 PM

Hey Rich.

Thanks for checking out the video!

About the snare. Actually, it's pretty well tuned! My previous drum cover (Rush's "Double Agent", link above if you want to see it) is the same exact snare, with no change in the tuning. I think there it sounds pretty good!

There are a couple of reasons that the snare sounds the way it does. First, the sticks I used for "That's What You Get" are pretty different from the ordinary. They're the Ultra-Tone quiet sticks, which reduce the volume of the drum significantly. Some people say it sounds pretty good, so I guess it's a matter of preference. For the "Double Agent" cover, I used two Moongel mufflers on the snare, where in this cover I only used one. That may have accounted for another significant change in the sound.

Second, I didn't use the optimum recording setting on my digital recorder for the drum sound. I used for the first time the Zoom H2 for the audio, but after consulting with Jason Bittner (yes, that Jason Bittner), who has used this recording device before, he informed me of what settings he used when he recorded his playing. So I'll make the adjustments for the next recording. I'm hoping it will sound great for the next cover.

Alas, it's back to the regular sticks though, which I don't mind at all!

Thanks again for checking the video out. :)

paradiddler · #13 03-04-2011, 05:17 AM

Hey everyone.

I've posted a new drum cover, one of my favorite songs by my favorite band:

Rush, "The Analog Kid"

I will be publishing an article detailing everything I went through to get this song recorded. In the meantime, I hope you like it!

daredrummer · #14 03-04-2011, 06:06 AM

I thought they were all great. Don't know what you guys mean by too straight, sounded fine to me.
And there's nothing wrong with the snare either, it sounds fine.

Very solid playing, good performance overall. Those were difficult songs to play, but you nailed em!

paradiddler · #15 03-08-2011, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daredrummer

I thought they were all great. Don't know what you guys mean by too straight, sounded fine to me.
And there's nothing wrong with the snare either, it sounds fine.

Very solid playing, good performance overall. Those were difficult songs to play, but you nailed em!

I dare say, daredrummer, thank you very much!

Also, I've posted my follow-up drum cover article for my latest cover:

Drum Cover - Rush, "The Analog Kid"

I talk about everything that went into putting it all together, the 'mistakes' made, experimentation with new hardware and software, plus a lot more. I hope the article not only gives you ideas on your own recordings, but also help avoid some of the stuff I went through!

Happy drumming.

daredrummer · #16 03-09-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradiddler

I dare say, daredrummer, thank you very much!

Also, I've posted my follow-up drum cover article for my latest cover:

Drum Cover - Rush, "The Analog Kid"

I talk about everything that went into putting it all together, the 'mistakes' made, experimentation with new hardware and software, plus a lot more. I hope the article not only gives you ideas on your own recordings, but also help avoid some of the stuff I went through!

Happy drumming.

Great work on this one as well.
There were a few timing issues with the snare, I heard it just a tad late 2 or 3 times.
Other than that nice performance, thanks for sharing!

paradiddler · #17 03-09-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daredrummer

Great work on this one as well.
There were a few timing issues with the snare, I heard it just a tad late 2 or 3 times.
Other than that nice performance, thanks for sharing!

Well I kept telling Neil to take care of his snare timing issues, but he's just so stubborn! :)

At least one time it was on purpose, like right before the bridge "To many hands on my time". Other than that, you're right. I knew they were there, but, as I stated in the article, I recorded so many takes that I just decided on this one and not edit it, leaving it as a raw performance. I'm feelin' good playing it though!

Till the next cover!