I am a Drummer/Beat Producer based in Los Angeles who accents and adds to the uniqueness of your track with a solid, in-the-pocket groove. Live, programmed, or hybrid drum tracks are delivered via email as high-quality stems or midi fles, mixed on request. Drum edits are included with initial purchase at no extra charge.
The fastest way to do a session remotely is by using Audiomovers plugin, Which allows for real-time collaboration with the artist while in the studio. This way, the artist is able to hear my drum takes as they are being recorded and tell what to keep or change instantaneously. Its the closest thing to meeting up, in-person, at a recording studio.
If you prefer not to use Audiomovers plugin:
I chat with the artist on the phone about what he/she wants for the song. I do a few takes that may vary from each other and send them to the song writer. I commonly do 2 versions, since sometimes I can hear two different things out of a song and I like to give as many options as possible.
If needed, I do a second round of tracking or do revisions to the tracks and make them closer to what to any other specifications the writer might have. This is also when I do any drum editing that may be needed.
Any mixing requests can be done as well, as I would send my template with channel strip settings or the entire project file after the song writer is satisfied. Otherwise, I bounce the stems and send them to the artist and/or mixing engineer.
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Credits
18 Reviews - 2 Repeat Clients
Endorse Dillan Wheeler
check_circleVerifiedDillan is awesome! He is quick, professional, and nails the parts every time. The stems he sends over are well organized and easy to drop in to my project.
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Dillan is a pro! He recreated my programmed drums and gave them life and feel. Really elevated the track. Quick turn around, too.
check_circleVerifiedDillan is very service minded, eager to meet the needs of his clients, and really cares that you are satisfied. Had a prewritten song, and he nailed pretty much all of it without any further guidance. His focus on communication is something that makes him stand out from the rest. Professional attitude all the way!
check_circleVerifiedTalented, patient, and professional. What else could you ask for?
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check_circleVerifiedDillan is very dedicated and efficient, he works quickly and is enthusiastic and gets behind your project, highly recommend him for anyone looking for a great drum track for their song!
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As always, great work, easy to work with, talented ear for what the song needs!
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Dillan delivers every time, very professional and creative
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Dillan did an awesome job and went more than one extra mile. Fantastic drummer! Highly recommended! A+++
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This guy kills it every time. Dillan asks all the right questions and puts in the time and effort to deliver a great performance.
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Dillan has done it again, with little to no direction he played drums and percussion that lifted this song to where it needed to be. Looking forward to working together again soon!
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I just picked Dillan out of all the drummers seen on this site. As it turns out, it was a good choice. I try not to dictate to folks I have play on my music, so I don't stifle creativity and let them play to the song . Dillan did just that. He was professional, timely and creative. We'll be working together again soon.
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Quick turnaround and very professional quality stems
Dillan is incredibly professional and responsive. He takes the his role in the song seriously and creatively augments anything you give him. Highly recommended.
Dillan is an amazing drummer and he is very easy and fun to work with! He has a great style and a nice attention to detail. I would definitely love to work with him again in the near future!
Dillan is such a great musician! The rythym that comes out of him when brainstorming and tracking blows my mind. He delivered perfect results in a short amount of time
Dillan is innovative and creative. Always came up with beats and rhythms that have blow me away. Super unique and wildly talented.
Dillan is a great guy with a great heart. Musically creative and fun to work with.
I've hired Dillan over a dozen times over the past couple of years. He is creative, a fast learner, shows up on time, and better yet, plays in time. He's got great pocket and taste, which is something you just can't teach. I highly recommend using him for your next project.
Interview with Dillan Wheeler
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style has been a little bit on the funky side, incorporating that feel into different genres. I keep it conservative unless explicitly asked to play busier with fills and groove syncopation. Even if I am playing for a rock band, I like to find a way to make the groove something you can move to rather than just hammering it out. That being said, I have done my fair share of hard hitting, only when it is called for.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Experimental Rock, which dabbles in many genres. Most of the projects I have been a part of have had a bit of an indie, punk, or R&B vibe. I have also tracked for a few Americana tunes.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I listen to the track several times over to see what I hear in it. Next, I'll ask about the vibe the writer aims for. I record my parts right away and sleep on it. I come back with fresh ears a day or two later and change the parts if they need changing. Then, I send the track over and await notes from the artist.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: ALIVE: Frank Black, Rufus Wainwright, D'angelo, Tame Impala, Radiohead, Soulive, DEAD: Jeff Buckley: his vibe lends itself to very creative percussion parts. Grace still plays a big role in my development of rhythmic sensibilities.... Bowie, The Clash, Can.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Meeting other people who love music.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Drum sessions from my studio in Los Angeles, Drum Programming, Beat making, and live performances. Artists send me song through email and ask me to record live drums to it from my studio. Some ask me to program drums and beats for a certain modern feel with a hybrid kit (acoustic and digital triggers).
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Jaki Liebezeit (Can), Carla Azar (Autolux), Levon Helm (The Band), Quest Love (D'angelo, The Roots), Tomas Haake (Meshuggah), Richard Mazzotta (Mewithoutyou), John Blackwell (Prince).
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A unique groove that adds to the song's atmosphere and feel.
I was the Co-writer and Drummer in this production
- Live drum trackAverage price - $150 per song
- PercussionAverage price - $125 per song
- Beat MakerAverage price - $200 per song
- Programmed drumAverage price - $100 per song
- Songwriter - MusicAverage price - $300 per song
- EditingAverage price - $75 per track
Live drum tracks (Me playing and recording your pre-writen drum parts) = $150 (Two revisions max)
Write and record drum parts for your song = $300 (Four revisions max)
Mixing drums (opt) = $25
- MPC One
- Scarlette Octopre
- Scarlette 18i8
- AKG P170 Condenser mics (overheads)
- AKG D112 MKII mic
- 1968 Ludwig Hollywood Kit
- 1980's Rogers
- '69 Ludwig Suprafonic Snare
- '69 Ludwig Acrolite Snare
- 1942 Leedy Snare
$150 per drum track
