Hey, John!
I just listened again. You are a very modest individual, sir. You have some very talented musicians working with you but, you're the glue that holds all of the dynamics together. Your cymbal does sound good. In my opinion, your entire kit sounds great! I can certainly tell the marching band influence. In this particular song, this experience was a great asset!
Your a fantastic drummer , John! Excellent!!!
Brian
Thanks again -
FYI - The kit:
70s NB HHs
16/18 very early Sabian AA crashes
20 Scimitar
20 RanCan china by LP
12/14/20 Pearl made Dixie (72-74)
mid 60s 6.5x14 Slingerland COB
and, BTW - using a vintage Ludwig Speedmaster BD pedal (60s, the red one)
Since then, I had the edges re-cut on the Dixie shells and they sound even better now.
It was recorded using 2 ADATS (16 total channels) and a Mackie board. These ADATs were cutting edge and very expensive at the time - remember this was 1994, and digital was still very expensive. No computers were used at all. Most of what you hear was recorded live. The whole band was recorded and only select gtr, violin, and Vocal parts were tracked later.
Sold the COB Slinger - but have recently acquired a 70s of the same model.
I certainly was happy with the engineering and general sound of my kit. The only way it could have been better would have been a bit more time taken to get better takes. My playing on the entire album is certainly not perfect - at the same time, considering it was my first time in the 'studio' and considering how it required a whole well performed take (whole song) I was happy with my performance. It was alot of pressure.
2 years later I recorded in a "real" studio in Anaheim, CA - using analog equipment - and cost twice as much $.
I think it is a most excellent example (demo) how a budget entry level cymbal can sound fantastic in a studio when you have good engineering/mixing/production.
That said - I admit that it is the exception to the rule.
