Recording a drummer who is not happy to use headphones

[sushifish]

check out BFD by FXpansion. BFD never bitches, he wears his headphones, and plays to a click like no other. 8-)

[TBR]

Well, having now discussed the issue again with the drummer it looks as if we're going to have to stick with the compromise that we went for on our last recording - one ear on (to be able to hear the bass that's DId) and one ear off (to hear the drum kit and the guitar bleed in the room)...

It appears that there's nothing else that can be done for a drummer...

Many thanks for your views - we've had a good laugh at the ones that come from a strictly business point of view ie. sack him, the best drummers woudl be able to perform if I cut their arms off etc. In future, just remember that sometimes a session musician is right for the job (if you are Lionel Richie for example) and sometimes it's not... we would prefer to have our drummer any day of the week. It's just a shame that you'd never give anyone a chance if they asked for a little leeway. Have fun making your MOR perfect, inoffensive, forgettable recordings with no life in them.

Adieu

[alimoniack]

Hooray for compromise!

Yeah, I love the "Bring in the next guy please" attitude, as though it was a 70's session for A&M records and there was a queue of session drummers sitting outside the studio.

I daresay these "pros" find it hard to understand why you can't just overlook the fact that your freind is a great drummer who is an important part of your sound and get a by-the-hour drumbot who doesn't give a damn & actually prefers working to a click...which the best drummers don't/didn't need! Obviously in "pro" land there are good drummers growing on trees and any guy will do for those songs as long as he does what he's told, period. Why didn't you just get Hal Blaine? Oops, I think he retired.

One could just as easily get started on whiney guitarists and nerdy, inflexible sound engineers...Drummer-bashing is usually instigated by morons who don't see drums as a key instrument in a composition, they look down from thier lofty songwriter stool or producer chair and often fail to see that the drummer is often the most talented musician in a successful band and has the hardest job when a band is tracking. They oughta check this out

http://www.drummerworld.com/drummerchoice.html

Sounds like you've solved the problem - just be sure to have the Duct tape handy, 'cos one-ear-off means the cans are coming off completely as soon as he goes "in for the fill" (heh).