I’m now offering remote drum tracking for your next single, EP, or full-length album. My studio can provide you with high-resolution drum tracks to help you bring your vision to completion.
In addition to the conventional in-person studio experience, I am available for hire as an online session drummer. Remote tracking enables you to capture a professional performance in a great-sounding room with acoustic drums and industry-standard recording equipment.
Aside from being more affordable than a traditional studio, remote tracking can help you finish your live drum tracks quickly, usually in a week or less (depending on the size of your project). My gear is always assembled and ready to record. I try to make the whole process as easy as possible. If you have any questions at any point, I’m always available to talk!
Before the session: Describe your vision for the project and how drums can help you achieve it. Once you’re ready to move forward, email a rough mix or scratch track to record with (be sure to include the BPM in the filename). If you have a programmed drum part, you can include it as a separate audio file.
During the session: Based on our discussions, I’ll create a drum part with a unique groove for your music. I truly enjoy the collaborative process, so any suggestions you have — from drum tuning to mic placement—are absolutely welcome.
After the session: I will send a link to a folder containing the raw, uncompressed tracks (usually between eight and fifteen audio tracks per song), allowing you, your producer, and your mix engineer to shape the tones specifically for your sound.
Gear Specs
Software / Interface:
Logic Pro X
Motu 16A Audio Interface
Preamps:
Focusrite:
Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic Eight Channel Mic PreWarm Audio:
WA273 Dual Channel British Mic Pre
WA273-EQ Dual Channel British Mic Pre/EQ
WA-412 Four Channel Mic Pre
Microphones:
AKG:
451 (1)Royer:
R-10 (2)sE Electronics:
BL8 omni (1)
sE7 (1)
sE8 (2)
V7 X (1)
V Beat (3)
V Kick (2)Shure:
545SD (1)
KSM137 (2)
SM57 (4)
SM57 (transformerless) (2)
SM7B (1)Solomon Mics:
LoFReQ Sub-Mic (1)12 Gauge Microphones:
Red12 Omni (1)Tul Microphones:
Snare 2 (1)
Drum Sets:
Gretsch Drums:
late ‘70s USA Custom (6-ply Jasper maple/gum shells)
8″x12″ & 9″x13″ rack toms
14”x14” & 16″x16″ floor toms
14″x20″ & 14”x22” kick drumsLudwig Drums:
1963 (3-ply mahogany/poplar/mahogany shells)
8″x12″ rack tom
16″x16″ floor tom
12”x22”, 14″x22″, & 6”x28” kick drums
2002 Classic Maple (9-ply shells)
9″x13″ rack tom
16″x16″ floor tom
14″x22″ kick drum
Snare Drums:
Ludwig Drums:
’20s Black Beauty 5”x14”
1961 Porto-Pak 5”x13”
1963 Pioneer 5″x14″
1964 Acrolite 5″x14″
1965 Parade Drum 10”x14”
1972 Supraphonic 5″x14″
1976 Supraphonic 6.5”x14”
1978 Black Beauty 5”x14”
1979 Coliseum 8”x14”
2023 Black Beauty (8-lug) 6.5”x14”
2024 Black Beauty (8-lug) 5”x14”
Pearl Drums:
’70s B4515 Chrome-over-Brass 5”x14”
’90s Custom Classic One-Piece Maple Shell 6.5”x14”
’90s Free Floating One-Piece Maple Shell 3.5”x14”Slingerland Drums:
mid ‘50s Radio King 6.5″x14″
WFL:
’40s Ideal 5”x14”
Cymbals:
pAisTe:
20” & 19” 2002 crash
22” Masters swish
15” & 16” Masters Thin hi-hat
22” & 20” Signature Traditionals Light ride
18” Signature Traditionals Thin crash
16” Signature Traditionals Thin hi-hatvintage Zildjian:
24” & 21” A ride, 15” A hi-hat (‘50s)
21” A Rock ride (‘70s)
20” A swish, 20” K ride, 18” K Dark crash (‘80s)
10” A splash (‘90s)
Percussion:
Latin Percussion and RhythmTech shakers, tambourines, and other various toys/effects
Native Tongue Percussion RhymBlock (maple)
RhythmTech lap cajón
Remo djembe
suitcase full of random percussion toys/found objects
Heads, Sticks, Hardware, etc.:
DW hardware and pedals
Yamaha hardware
Humes & Berg bags and cases
Remo drumheads
Vic Firth sticks, brushes, and mallets
DEM’Sticks bamboo rod bundles
Headhunters sticks and creations
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
My base rate is $150 per song. Discounts are available for larger endeavors. Contact me to discuss the details, and I’ll craft a custom quote for your project.
What should I send to ensure the best result?
Record your scratch track to a click, metronome, or programmed loop. You may also want to include any ideas about the drum part, especially if there are specific bands, drummers, or grooves you want me to use for reference.
What if I’m not 100% satisfied?
I take pride in making sure my clients are happy with my performance. That’s why I will do up to three revisions to guarantee we capture the magic!
What People Are Saying
“Ryan Elwood is an accomplished musician who puts the song and singer first; a real team player”
- Doug Haywood (Jackson Browne)
“It has always been a pleasure working with Ryan. I respect him first as a musician and then as a drummer. He has a solid foundation in harmony, which many drummers lack. I think this makes him more aware of what is going on musically and therefore makes his drumming much more musical.”
- Eric Dorn (jazz guitarist)
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing with Ryan seven or eight times and have always been more than satisfied. He’s one of the very few players that I would trust to play a song on stage without having rehearsed it together. His time is unwavering and he feels the breaks from a mile away. His fills are clever and unselfish. This is a drummer that knows what your song needs.”
- Dustin Morris (singer/songwriter)
“Ryan’s remarkable ability to create an intricate dynamic approach to any song he is involved with is truly a rare gift. I have had such a pleasure sharing the stage with him. There’s no greater feeling than knowing that, no matter what, your rhythm section has your back. He is always on time, always shows up prepared and willing to work hard at rehearsals. I appreciate everything about playing with him and would hire him first, always.”
- Jen Korte (singer/songwriter)
“Ryan is the most talented, versatile, prolific, and diligent percussionist currently working in the Denver area with whom I have had the fortune to share creativity.”
- Era S. (The Tanukis)
“On the [Que Pasta’s] self-titled, four-song EP, [Gene] Davis enlists help from Ryan Elwood of FaceMan, Era from the Tanukis and a handful of others to flesh out his cleverly written, melodically driven songs. The result isn’t just good kid’s music, but good pop music for people of all ages.”
- Eryc Eyl (The Denver Post Reverb)
“Ryan laid down an amazing drum track on the first take. I had no revisions at all. And he’s super responsive to emails and quick to turn the project around. Many, many thanks!”
- Jesse White (singer/songwriter)
“I’ve worked with Ryan for the last five years and he amazes me every time with his knowledge of various styles, feels, and repertoire. You can always count on Ryan to show up early and prepared at every gig he is hired for. His feel of the pocket is spot on for every tune and unmatched in the area.”
- Thom Sandrock (M Squared, George Nelson Band)
“Ryan Elwood is a strict time keeper and a consummate professional, listening and executing with precision, never missing a cue, entry, chorus or breakdown.”
- Chris McGarry (songwriter, instructor at Swallow Hill Music)
“Ryan is one of the best percussionists in the city, a true professional.”
- Gene Davis (The Que Pastas)