Having learnt your trade after hiring out a number of local recording studios, you’re now equipped with the knowledge and ‘know how’ to set up your own studio environment.   It may sound like a difficult thing to do, but if you are hell bent on creating your own drum sounds,setting up your own drums recording studio is easier than you might at first think. Here’s one way of doing it, and some more helpful tips and hints that should help if you already have half an idea.

1) You’ll need a computer and the right kind of software

One safe bet is an iMac – reliable, trusted, decent for music mixing. Logic Pro 9 would also be a really wise idea, and it’s relatively easy to use once you get the hang of it, which is always nice.

2) Get hold of the right audio interface/microphones

Interface is something which all drummers argue about, but one thing’s for sure, no matter what your recording studios budget is, you should be able to find something that’s a good compromise between quality and cost. Focusrite do some great work, and their Octopre interface is a wise choice. Why, you ask? Well, because it has that all-important ADAT input which you should consider essential.

In terms of mics, here’s a tip which should really help you get some sounds down: it’s not all about price here! In fact, a lot of more seasoned drummers still record with a series of cheaper mics that record almost as good and sensitively as the more expensive kinds.

3) Mixing is critical to your drumming success!

Of all the elements you really need to worry about, this is most certainly one of them. There’s loads of information out there about this, so be sure to do your research and make that money count. Further techniques on how to record drums can be found here: www.platinumloops.com/how_to_record_drums.shtml

Need some help with sound and music mixing? Then definitely consider sample replacement technology – or, if not, then mixing which doubles up the snare/kick and adds sampling. There are a few programs out there which can easily help you with this – one is Aptrigga and the other is Drumagog. Both reliable, and both great for anyone starting out, or even more experienced drummers.

Here are some ideas in no particular order:

•     Play 70′s music, of course! If you don’t have a large 70′s collection, but you have XM Radio, they have good selection of classic 70′s… if you belong to AOL, you can access XM Radio for free. To get an idea of 70′s Music Take a peek at the screen shots of the 70′s music list from my Ipod —>
•     For older groups, play 70′s Trivia games and give away prizes:
•     Go online and grab quesions for free from the net  or buy this DVD “Party Time Trivia”.
•     For atmosphere, have a 70′s movie playing the background, sound down: like Saturday Night Fever or Rocky, see 70′s movies page here:)
•     The dance moves in the 70′s were “anything goes” until the disco craze hit in the late 70′s then we had dances like the Hustle, Night Fever Line Dance, Bus Stop, Four Corners, The Bump (my favorite) & more!.. Here’s a link out to a video that teaches 70′s dances: Molly & Roni’s Dance Party! 1970′s Disco Mania! Video
•     If it’s for a birthday party and you’re going to bake a cake, you could always make a round cake with yellow icing and draw the “Smiley Face” in black icing. The 70′s were colorful, lots of different colored streamers and balloons…
•     If you want to go crazy with the theme factor, kisshave everyone dress up as a famous 70′s character, it could be a character from TV or movies or a  rock band:  My ELVISchoices?  Rockers KISS, Elvis, Sandy from Grease or Rizzo, John Travolta from SNF or from Grease, Farrah Fawcett as a Charlies Angel, Billy Jack, The Godfather, Rocky (The fighter) or Rocky from Rocky Horror Picture Show (one of my favorite cult movies), Annie Hall, Butch Cassidy, a Star Wars character, Jaws (lol) Bo Derek from 10 (if you want to wear a bathing suit to a party!)  Go look at my movie lists and take your pick.
•     Make home made “Pet Rocks” as party favors.

DECORATIONS:

•     Put some 70′s posters up, don’t forget Farrah. Grab “Mr. Natural” if you see him, the ‘old folks’ will get a kick out of him.
•     Go to SPENCERS in any mall and go in the back section, they have tons of 70′s type items, beaded curtains, black lights, posters, incense… and don’t forget the Disco Ball!  See SPENCERS Store Locator.
•     Get Bean Bag chairs… or blow up chairs… (Try Target or Walmart)
•     I just thought of this… we used to make chains out of beer and coke “pop tops”, –they don’t exist anymore. Remember?  The government banned them, something about seagulls choking on them… Anyway, instead of beaded curtains, we made our own curtains with those pop top chains.