How Drum Sample Packs Are Created with Shawn Fields and Darrell Thorp
In this episode, Bart talks with Shawn Fields, founder of Drumatica, and Grammy-winning audio engineer Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Beck, Foo Fighters) about the creation of the groundbreaking Black Oyster drum sample library.
Shawn shares how his lifelong obsession with capturing the perfect drum sound evolved from sampling friends’ kits in the ’90s to launching Drumatica — a company dedicated to delivering “mix-ready” virtual drum instruments for musicians everywhere. He explains how years of experimentation, precision sampling, and collaboration with Sweetwater Studios led to the creation of this meticulously detailed collection.
Darrell dives into the mixing philosophy behind the Black Oyster project — from mic placement and compression choices to balancing vintage warmth with modern punch. Together, they explore how Drumatica aims to empower musicians, producers, and songwriters with authentic acoustic drum sounds that inspire creativity right out of the box.
The discussion also covers:
The origins of the “automatic drummer” concept
The painstaking process of recording and tuning hundreds of drum hits
Collaborations with top engineers like Brendan Dekora
The evolving role of AI in music creation and how Drumatica plans to use it
Why capturing every nuance of a performance still matters in the digital age
Whether you’re a drummer, producer, or recording enthusiast, this episode offers a fascinating look at the art, science, and obsession behind modern drum sampling.
🎵 Learn more at: www.Drumatica.com and www.darrellthorp.com/
Save 30% with code drumhistory30
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A Look at the Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 1) with Paul Wells
In this episode of Drum History, we take an in-depth look at the legendary gear of Steve Gadd, one of the most recorded and influential drummers of all time.
Our returning guest, Paul Wells (Juilliard jazz faculty, Curtis Stigers, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks), joins host Bart van der Zee for another ultra-detailed “gear episode” exploring the drums that shaped Gadd’s sound across his incredible career. Part 1 covers from Childhood to 1989.
From his early Gretsch and Rogers kits to the iconic Yamaha setup that became synonymous with his style, we trace how each era of his gear evolved — and how innovations like his tom configurations, hi-hat preferences, and snare choices influenced generations of drummers.
Paul also shares insights from his exclusive interview with Steve Gadd, arranged with help from John DeChristopher (Live From My Drum Room), and stories from Artie Smith, Steve’s longtime drum tech.
Links and resources:
📘 Steve Gadd: A Life in Time by Joe Bergamini (Hudson Music)
https://amzn.to/3KvLSP9
🥁 Gaddiments – Steve’s book of modern rudimental exercises
https://amzn.to/4h4rgd2
🎥 Ruben van Roon’s YouTube channel for rare Steve Gadd performances and breakdowns
https://www.youtube.com/@RubenvanRoonDrumChannel
and of course, Live from My Drum Room with John DeChristopher
https://www.youtube.com/@livefrommydrumroom
If you love deep gear history, detailed analysis, and legendary drumming stories, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & Steve Gadd overview
2:30 – Early Gretsch kits and childhood setup
10:00 – Rogers kits, The Hustle, and the disco era
20:00 – Army years & rare cymbal stories
28:00 – Yamaha era and gear innovations
45:00 – Interview with Steve Gadd preview
55:00 – Books, resources & legacy
🎙️ Hosted by Bart van der Zee
🎵 Guest: Paul Wells
https://www.youtube.com/@paulwells2227
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Your Mind’s Ear: Dave Elitch on Sound, Gear, and Playing Without Pain
Drummer and educator Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta, Weezer, Miley Cyrus) joins me to break down why so many drummers hit a ceiling—and how to fix it with better mechanics, smarter practice, and choices that actually translate to the kit. We dig into eliminating hidden tension, building sustainable speed and feel, practical tuning and muffling, and Dave’s new course Your Mind’s Ear on dialing in sound and gear (launching September 8, 2025).
Highlights
The #1 mistake: building speed on top of tension—and how to unwind it
Meeting players where they are: playing “more you” without pain
Social media vs. reality: flashy techniques that won’t hold up on a gig
Practical tuning & muffling (heads, dampening, avoiding dead drums)
Small daily habits that prevent injury and compound progress
Find Dave
Website/Courses: www.daveelitch.com
Instagram: @daveelitch
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Subscribe for more deep dives on drumming and music history.
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How To Pronounce the Tough Drum Brand Names with Eric Leiderman
Ever wondered if you’ve been saying Tama, Paiste, or Sonor correctly? You’re not alone! In this episode, Late Night with Seth Meyers producer and friend to all drummer's, Eric Leiderman joins the show to settle the debate on how to pronounce some of the most commonly mispronounced drum brands.
We break down the correct pronunciations of brands like Ludwig, Zildjian, Meinl, Sabian, Canopus, Trixon, Gretsch, and more, with recordings from the companies themselves.! Whether you’re a seasoned drummer or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen to make sure you’re saying these legendary names the right way.
Tune in and never mispronounce Paiste again!
Follow Eric on social media at @erx11
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Drumming Insights: A look at "Drummers on Drumming" with Ben Hilzinger
We are joined by Ben Hilzinger, professional drummer and author of Drummers on Drumming, to explore the stories behind the records that shaped the legends of the drumming world. Ben shares his experiences performing with bands like Cannons and Eve 6, hosting his acclaimed podcast, and diving into the journeys of iconic and up-and-coming drummers through his book.
Discover the challenges, inspirations, and unique philosophies that define what it means to be a drummer today. Whether you're a seasoned percussionist, an aspiring player, or just someone who loves great music, this interview is packed with insights to inspire your musical journey. Don't miss this engaging conversation with a creative force in the drumming community!
📖 Purchase Drummers on Drumming: https://amzn.to/4gYwZ2Y
🎧 Connect with Ben: https://benhilzinger.com/ or on social media @benhilzinger
** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **
https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN
** 30 DAY FREE DRUMEO TRIAL **
https://drumeo.pxf.io/c/3607735/1268414/14652
**JOIN PATREON**
https://www.patreon.com/drumhistorypodcast
**I record interviews with Riverside.FM - I highly recommend it. Here is my affiliate link: https://riverside.fm/?via=bart-vanderzee
A podcast all about the rich history of the drums - and how they became what they are today! Join Bart van der Zee as he speaks with experts about the curious journey of the ever-evolving drum set.
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