Since my last recording session with Dave, I wanted to make sure that all of the drum takes I recorded were edited in preparation for bass tracking.

Before beginning work on some of the slight timing issues in some of the drum takes, I wanted to make sure Dave was happy with the drum takes I had comped together. This is mainly because I had chosen the best bits from each take and merged them into one solid drum track. Keeping this level of communication between myself and Dave is important as it means that we are both on the same page and we know what part of the project needs to be completed next.

Once I had been given the all clear, I began going through all of the tracks making sure that everything was in phase using the pair of overheads as the main focus point. I then began to tighten the drums up by using elastic audio, setting the close mics to the rhythmic algorithm and the rest to the polyphonic algorithm. And although the majority of the drum takes were already tight and in time, going through and ensuring that all of the key hits were quantised exactly to the grid really made them flow a lot better. It also means that it would be easier to incorporate any electronic elements.

Choosing to do all of the drum editing at this stage means that everything I record from here onwards will match the correct timing of the song and save me from editing everything else when we’ve finished the recording process. It will also allow the bass to lock in with the drums more efficiently and give me less things to worry about when I come to the mix stage.

Here is short example of how the drums sound for the track ‘Wake Up’ after editing.