2008-10-25
“Both have their pros and cons. Using a good live drummer is always my first option, but tracking live drums is time consuming, and can be laborious at times, almost always requiring at least some editing, not to mention setup time, which means more budget for the client. Sequencing drum parts, on the other hand is very quick, accurate, and can add another dimension to the creative process, since parts can be altered at any stage of the production. With modern software instruments, I find the results are also very satisfying sonically.
The subtle nuances of the real thing can add a certain “feel” that I may want, and is the most obvious choice when it comes to recording a band that already has a drummer. In a singer/songwriter case scenario, I’ll most often use sequenced drums to create a track. Depending on the genre, sometimes real drums aren’t needed anyway, so it’s not an issue. Otherwise, I’ll work with a session drummer to create the rhythm tracks, and do the rest of the production from there. So I guess none is better or worse, it just depends on the requirement.” (Brent Quinton)