Darrell Thorp Drum Samples Collection

You've had an interesting journey getting to where you are now in your career – an established and in-demand producer/engineer working on all kinds of great music. How did you go from serving in the US Navy and having that as a career- to heading to Los Angeles and starting a career in music production?

Being a recording engineer was something I really wanted to achieve. During my last years in the US Navy, I started planning for recording school and my steps after school. Starting my career in Los Angeles was a must. There were so many studios in the late '90s, and the music business was still thriving. LA seemed to be the best place to start.

Let's talk a little bit about your approach to recording and mixing drums. Your drum mixes are just so punchy and present, without being too overbearing in the mix. Whether its a live kit or drum samples from Drumatica - what are some tips you can share with our users on how they can make their drums really stand out in a mix like yours always do?

First, they can buy this new signature pack to help them out! But seriously, it's always a case-by-case or song-by-song basis. Finding the right balance of EQ and compression is crucial. I often hear other mixes and think they are "over-compressed." It's a delicate balance between applying enough compression and allowing the drums to shine in the mix.

You’ve had some really cool opportunities to work in some pretty renowned studios over the years. What are some of your favorite rooms?

1st - Ocean Way Studio B. In Hollywood.
2nd - RCA Studio A in Nashville.
3rd - East West Studio 2

What were some of the earliest lessons you learned coming up in the business?

Be on time, work hard, give your all during a project or session, and be open to all ideas. An idea that might initially feel like a bad idea could turn out to be the best idea for the project.

You’ve worked with a lot of fantastic drummers over the years – and two of the best: Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins (R.I.P). Besides having a great drummer and a well-tuned kit, what’s your secret to getting such great drum sounds on those Foo records?

I have to admit, I'm super lucky, spoiled! Working with Taylor and Dave allows us the luxury of spending a lot of time fine-tuning the drums – both kit choice/tuning and recording for each song. We take the necessary time for takes, and there's never any impatience with the process. With perfectly tuned drums, a great room, and amazing mics and gear at my disposal, my focus is on not messing it up at this point.

In addition to established, well-known artists like the Foo Fighters, Radiohead and Beck, you also work with a lot of up & coming artists, too. What's some practical advice for new artists who want a career in music?

Today, the game has changed. Artists have to hustle, manage themselves, handle multiple social media outlets, and consistently post. Playing show after show is crucial, and recognition often comes after persistent effort.

Growing up, what were your favorite records/music – and why?

I have weird taste in music. I am a product of the 80s and because of this, I like Pop and Rock.

Huey Lewis and The News- Sports. Mixed by my HERO Bob Clearmountain. Listen to the drums on that album. Listen to the Songs.

Going one step further, what are some of your favorite drum mixes/performances of all time?

I just needle dropped Sia “The Color and The Small One” DUUUUUUDE… the Drum Sounds! Tchad Blake mixing and Jeremy Stacey on the drums. A Sonic Masterpiece!
Rage Against the Machine “Rage Against the Machine”. What an album! The drums sound phenomenal. Andy Wallace is one my heroes.

What's your favorite must-have gear in the studio? Basically, you couldn't do your job without the following tools:

Speakers -The Acoustic Energy AE1s and The Focal Trios.
Mics- Lauten Audio Series Black 208s, LA-308s, a few dynamics and a couple of Coles' for rooms or a mono overhead.

What's the best advice a legendary engineer, producer – or even an artist ever gave you?

Don't be afraid to make a decision. If it turns out to be the wrong one, you can always start over. No biggie – it's honestly that simple.

And last but certainly not least, we’re so excited to introduce the world to your newest signature drum sample pack by Drumatica, the Black Oyster. It's an amazing-sounding, classic maple Ludwig 4-piece kit with an assortment of complimentary Ludwig snares, hats and cymbals included with soooo many individual microphone channels AND pre-mixed presets...all mixed by you! What can users expect to hear when they purchase it?

I wanted to create samples that sounded pristine and HUGE. I’m hoping these sample packs will work in all types of genres. When I am tracking I try to get finished drum sounds. And this new sample pack is a representation of an album- mix-ready drum sounds.

I would love to hear your experience with these sample packs. Feel free to drop me a line on Facebook or Instagram.