Record Drums Online with Chris Castellitto

Got to interview drummer and producer Matt Ingram as he discusses the evolution of Urchin Studios and his philosophy on capturing the perfect take. This conversation explores everything from technical mic setups and the "no bottom snare" preference to the nuanced art of drum tuning and working empathetically with vocalists. It is an essential watch for any musician or engineer looking to master th...

In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed recording engineer Wil Anspach, better known in the industry as Greazy Wil. From his early beginnings to his collaborative work with session legends like Jake Reed, Wil pulls back the curtain on his philosophy for capturing world-class drum sounds. We dive deep into the technical and the tactical, covering everything from his unconventional mic choices—li...

To celebrate the 30th Episode of the Podcast I couldn't have asked for better guest than one of my drum heroes. In fact, I had the chance to sit down with the legendary drummer and producer behind The Heliocentrics, Malcolm Catto. Known for his raw, hypnotic grooves and his uncompromising analog ethos, Malcolm took the time to show the behind the scenes of his infamous Quatermass Sound Lab. We tra...

In this episode, I sit down with renowned record producer and engineer Julian Kindred for an expansive look at his international career and his meticulous approach to capturing world-class drum sounds. From his early days in Canada to the high-stakes studios of Nashville and London, Julian has refined a sonic signature that has graced records by Steve Winwood and Ellie Goulding. ------------------...

Whether you know him for his vintage breakbeats or his impeccable pocket, Tamuz has become a definitive voice in the modern "drummer-producer" landscape. In this episode, I sit down with the man behind the samples to trace his journey from self-taught YouTube student to a master of analog aesthetics. We dive deep into the technical and the philosophical—covering everything from the nuances of tape...

Join me for an insightful deep dive with mixing engineer Adrian Hall as he recounts his journey from the legendary Metropolis Studios to crafting massive drum sounds for artists like Tori Amos. Adrian shares practical wisdom on mastering room acoustics, the nuances of compression, and essential advice for the next generation of music creators. ------------------------------ For More on Adrian Foll...

In this episode, I sit down with the one and only Emre Ramazanoglu, a force of nature in the studio whose credits range from the legendary Noel Gallagher to the visionary David Bowie. Emre takes us on a journey from his rhythmic beginnings to his evolution as a world-class drummer, producer, and mix engineer. We dive deep, exploring his technical philosophy on drum tuning, phase alignment, and the...

Join me for an in-depth conversation with the multi-instrumentalist and producer extraordinaire, Otis McDonald (aka Joe Bagale). We trace his journey from getting serious behind the drum kit to moving to San Francisco and joining the legendary Jazz Mafia. Joe opens up about his time playing with the Grateful Dead and the pivotal moment he began working with YouTube—a move that turned "Otis McDonal...

In this episode, I sit down with James Yates, the founder of Majetone. We trace his journey from the drum throne to the engineering suite, exploring how his experience as a session drummer and assistant to Jimmy Hogarth led him to become one of the most innovative plugin designers in the industry today. Whether you're looking for technical studio hacks—like his unique method for adding mass to a b...

In this episode, we talk with session drummer and MD, Dan Bailey, about the realities of the modern music industry. With a career spanning major tours and high-end session work, Dan shares practical advice on the technical and professional sides of being a working musician. Whether you’re a drummer looking to level up your recording game or a music lover curious about the mechanics of a hit record...

Join me for an in-depth conversation with the incredibly talented session drummer and vocalist, Curtis Kelley. We pull back the curtain on his musical journey—from his early beginnings to the technical art of balancing singing/drumming and running his own studio in LA, Tone Town Recoding Studio Whether you’re a gear head looking for studio secrets or a musician seeking career advice, this episode...

In this session, we sit down with renowned drummer and educator Blair Sinta (Alanis Morissette, Chris Cornell, Josh Groban) to deconstruct his evolution from a touring powerhouse to a premier remote recording artist. Blair opens up about the pivotal shift from jazz to rock and the steep learning curve of mastering sound engineering within his own studio. We dive deep into the technical and creativ...

In this episode, I sit down with renowned session drummer David Eibl to unpack and discuss his mic setups, mixing philosophy, and remote recording workflow, offering a masterclass for anyone looking to level up their home studio game. Make sure not to miss this one! ------------------------------ For More on David Follow him online https://www.instagram.com/davideibldrums/ https://www.relateaudio....

In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Simon Treasure to dive deep into the world of professional drumming, recording, and the business of music. Whether you're a gear head looking for mic setup tips or a musician trying to navigate the this social media driven business, Simon shares some gold-standard insights from his years in the studio and on the road. -----------------------...

From his early beginnings to his work with icons like Glen Hansard and Dana Fuchs, Piero offers a deep dive into the life of a modern professional musician. We pull back the curtain on his creative process, discussing the making of his album Notte, the unique challenge of performing solo drum shows, and his philosophy on "mixing on the way in" at his own Soundset Studio. --------------------------...

Join me for a conversation with the man who defined the sound of modern fusion. From his early electronic roots to his career-defining work with Michael League and Snarky Puppy, Nic Hard explains how he captures massive ensembles without losing the human element. We talk drum miking, panning "wall-of-sound" arrangements, and why the drummer is the most important person in the room.

In this episode LA session ace Rob Humphreys joins me to discuss his journey from his musical beginnings to recording with icons like Leonard Cohen and Jason Mraz. We dive deep into his creative philosophy, from using unconventional gear and perfecting the engineer-drummer relationship to his essential advice for making it in the Los Angeles session scene. Make sure not to miss this one out! -----...

In this episode, I sit down with renowned French session drummer Florian Gouello (Julian More', Rodney Jerkins, Rick Nowels and more) to talk all things drum production. Florian breaks down his workflow for creating professional loop and sample packs, his go-to secrets for mixing and processing drums, and his unique philosophy on music production. ------------------------------ For More on Florian...

In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly versatile Jordan Perlson—a drummer whose career spans from recording and touring with legends like Adrian Belew, Becca Stevens, and Gary Burton. Now based in Nashville, Jordan has become a go-to for remote recording and high-level session work. We dive deep into the technical and mental aspects of being a professional drummer today, covering everythi...

n this episode, we sit down with one of the UK's most in-demand session drummers, Samson Jatto (NAO, James Bay, Mahalia), Samson, renowned for his versatile style and incredible pocket and time feel, shares his secrets on how to lock in a groove and nail the performance every time. We dive into the technical challenges of being a remote session player, including his ingenious techniques for achiev...

Dive into this insightful interview with Noam Wallenberg, the brilliant engineer behind the latest Vulfpeck record! We pull back the curtain on the art of mixing, discussing his specific approach to achieving great drum sounds. Plus, Noam shares his secrets on how to authentically recreate some of the most iconic drum sounds in music history. Whether you're a producer, musician, you won't want to...

Join me for an insightful conversation with the incredibly talented Jordan Rose, one of New York's most in-demand session and touring drummers. Known for his work with artists like Maggie Rogers, Jacob Collier, Laufey, Cory Wong, and many more, Jordan gives us a look inside his dynamic career. In this interview, we dive into: -How Jordan runs his Brooklyn studio, Rose Garden Recording, and the uni...

In this interview I had the chance of chatting with the incredibly talented German drummer, Alex Höffken. In this interview, Alex pulls back the curtain on his streamlined workflow, focusing on the art of remote recording. Learn his secrets for saving precious time by meticulously creating and utilizing custom template sessions, and get a deep look at how he elevates his drum tracks by strategical...

n this episode with Alessio Romano, founder and owner of Studio 42 in Brooklyn NY, we dive deep into the art of achieving amazing jazz drum sounds, starting with the often-overlooked foundation: room acoustics. Alessio walks us through how he treats his space to maximize clarity and depth. We then explore his specialized, minimalist approach to capturing the dynamic range and subtle articulation o...

Join me for an inspiring conversation with the BREAKTHROUGH SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR, Animesh Raval! We dive deep into Animesh's fascinating journey, starting with how he first got hooked on recording music. Then, get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the intensive process of engineering Pulp's highly anticipated new album, MORE. Animesh also breaks down his innovative, signature method: t...