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My Nemisis.....recording with a "click" Last viewed: 2 seconds ago

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Hey Gents......I've been playing for over twenty years and with all recordings I have done, I have NEVER recorded with a "click"....it was a new band I joined and suffice to say it didn't last long once we started to record. It was a nightmare for me. I have never practiced to, or recorded with a "click track". I felt out of sorts and very uncomfortable. I had to change my style and some beats just to appease the "click track" GOD........my question.......is this an option of recording, is it the new way, is it the best way and finally, did guys like Bonham, Paice and Baker record with one?:Help2

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
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LOL - I have never recorded without a click-track. It helps to keep you in good even, time, that's all it's meant for. You were just too aware of it playing in your ear and it threw you off. It did for me too the first couple of times I recorded with one. You'll get used to it and in point of fact, at times it really is helpful to have that metronome going.

Yes, it can be a PITA, but it helps keep you solid, you always know where the '1' is and it just plain helps to keep you 'in-time'.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
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Like anything else, it requires practice. You will get used to it with time (no pun intended). Try practicing at random tempos too, not just comfortable ones. Roland has has a free downloadable piece of software called Friendjam, which is intended for V-drum users. It contains lots of play-along drum-free tunes. I don't own v-drums anymore but I like to practice to the tunes contained within as part of my routine. Yeah, playing with a click can learn to be fun!

1964 Ludwig Champagne Super Classic
1970 Ludwig Blue Oyster Super Classic
1977 Rogers Big R Londoner 5 ebony
1972/1978 Rogers Powertone/Big R mix ebony
60's Ludwig Supersensitive
Pearl B4514 COB snare ( the SC snare)
Pearl Firecracker
PJL WMP maple snare
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Posted on 11 years ago
#3
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I've been fortunate in never having had to do so, which isn't to say that my time is excellent.

But I realize that it's pretty much a requirement for any serious drummer.

Check out Dave Grohl's documentary "Sound City," in which he describes the first time he had to use a click during the making of Nirvana's "Nevermind." It's priceless.

This movie is worth a look anyway. It's very well done and I think any musician would benefit from watching it, no matter their opinion of Grohl or his work (I happen to be a fan).

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQoOfiLz1G4[/ame]

9x Slingerland New Rock 50N 12-13-16-22 with 170 (Super S-O-M) holder
• 1979 Oak
• 1978 Blakrome + 6.5x14 TDR SD
• 1977 Black Diamond Pearl + 5x14 SD (gold badge, Rapid strainer)
• 1976 Black Cordova
• 1975 Silver Sparkle + 5x14 SD (Rapid strainer)
• 1974 Chrome + 5x14 COB TDR and 6.5x14 COW Zoomatic SDs
• 1973 Purple Sparkle
• 1973 Phantom (clear)
• 1971 Walnut (gold badges) + 5x14 TDR SD
1x Rogers Powertone Londoner V 12-13-16-22
• 1972 Butcher Block + 1979 big R Dynasonic SD
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
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When I first started taking lessons, it was stressed to me to practice to a metronome. So playing with a click was never a big deal to me. If you just can't get past it, have the rhythm section record with a click, and then record the drums without one; that way you're just playing along.

Good luck.

Vintage Drum Student
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
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From relayer

When I first started taking lessons, it was stressed to me to practice to a metronome. So playing with a click was never a big deal to me. If you just can't get past it, have the rhythm section record with a click, and then record the drums without one; that way you're just playing along.Good luck.

that's a great idea

Bop iT / Til U Drop iT.

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1964 Cleveland,.18/14/12 in WMP
1966 Cleveland, 20/14/12 O'natural.
Fullerton,...20/16/13/12 Silver Glass

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1957 B/R Super Classics In WMP

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Wood & COB Powertones,
Wood & COB Dynasonics,
57 Jazz Festival

Zildjian avedis cymbals.
40s/60s era.
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
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I learned to play rudiments with a metronome and became very used to it. For recording, I think part of the secret is the type of click. The first session I did with a click, I caused some concern by asking if I could have an off beat too, since I knew from pad work that if you are 'zen' with the click, it disappears. So I asked for a tambourine off beat and a cowbell down beat. This caused some delay as in those days clicks were generated. Frowns were appearing then the engineer got it running and all was fine. After a while, engineers would know what I would ask for and this progressed to simple conga or percussion patterns, which are certainly much more fun to play with. The engineers seemed to like the challenge of it all and they could see some sense in playing to a groove, as opposed to a woodpecker. Clicks are all memory. In those days I did a lot of jingles and on a few occasions they would turn off the click for spill reasons or something for 8 bars and I would come out the other side still in time! Not sure if I could do it now; but I usually record to clicks on my own. In a band situation though, quite rare now. We might play along with a pattern for a take to get the feel of the tempo, then turn it off for better feel. It's the entire band's responsibility really. I'm just lucky that none of the players I work with speed up, or drag. Try a pattern. $00.02

Home Of The Trout
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Posted on 11 years ago
#7
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From troutstudio

It's the entire band's responsibility really.

Definitely!

1964 Ludwig Champagne Super Classic
1970 Ludwig Blue Oyster Super Classic
1977 Rogers Big R Londoner 5 ebony
1972/1978 Rogers Powertone/Big R mix ebony
60's Ludwig Supersensitive
Pearl B4514 COB snare ( the SC snare)
Pearl Firecracker
PJL WMP maple snare
Odds & Sods

Sabians, Paistes, Zildjians, Zyns, UFIPs, MIJs etc
Item may be subject to change!
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
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Awesome responses so far gentlemen. A very helpful, informative perspective . That's why I love this forum. This is very relevant in our art and needs some discussion. Keep em' coming!

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
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Being able to play and play well with a click is part and parcel of a drummer's job these days. I would say the vast majority of studio sessions are cut with clicks. Most of the live performers I work with play to a click as well. As an example, I just finished providing backline for a festival yesterday with 14 bands. I think all but one or two played to clicks.

A sub-divided click is easiest to start with. Basically eighth notes in 4/4 time for instance. Once you get comfortable with that then you can drop into straight quarter notes. The "zen" comment refers to the fact that when you really lock in, you often find that you no longer hear the click or at least you do not hear it very well. This can be very disconcerting when trying to get the hang of it. At that point the drummer almost invariably slows down which then reveals the click and you begin chasing it. That is not good.

My suggestion is to always practice with a click. Forget bout fearing or loathing it. It should become second nature to you. Once you learn to lock in consistently in all styles and all tempos then you will start to learn to play around it. For instance you can play a mid tempo song to a click and still lay back in the pocket. The tempo will be locked in as it should be but the note placement (often 2 & 4 on the snare) can adjust the feel.

The reality is learning to play very well to a click will make you a much better drummer regardless of if you play live or record with one. I say again; this is a necessary skill set. You don't want to walk into the pressure of a new gig or studio session to find out that you have to play to a click and you don't possess that skill.

Did Bonham et al record with clicks? Not that I am aware of. There were only metronomes then. As far as I am aware, Walter/Wendy (don't ask) Carlos was the first to develop an electronic click for creating the soundtrack for the movie "A Clockwork Orange". It was done by modulating the standard electrical frequency of 60hz in a rather complicated fashion. There may be other instances, but that was a first from what I have read. It really doesn't matter. You are not going to win the argument with a producer or band leader by saying Ringo Starr didn't play to a click.

By the way, you should come up with the means to produce the click track if it is not provided whether a drum machine, dedicated click device, mobile device app, etc. Don't just assume someone else will be responsible for that.

Learn to love the click! Make it your friend.

tnsquint
Very proud owner of a new Blaemire Snare 6.5 x 14 made by Jerry Jenkins "Drumjinx"
Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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