Simon Miminis

Remote Drum Tracks

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24 Reviews (12 Verified)
Simon Miminis on SoundBetter

20 years experience as a professional drummer, performed at Cape Breton International Drum Festival opening for drumming greats Bernard Purdie, Dom Famularo, and more. Studied with world class drummers, Larnell Lewis, Mark Kelso, Changuito, and Paul Delong among others. Recorded on hundreds of tracks spanning many styles.

As a trained freelance drummer for over 20 years I can offer professional drum tracks for any style. I have studied with some of Canada's top drummers during my time at Humber college's music program where I earned my Bachelor in Music with honors and further broadened my skill set as a composer during my time studying as a Music Composition Post Grad at York University and as a participant in the BMI Mentorship program in NYC.

I operate out of my home studio based in Toronto, ON. My room is acoustically treated and I'm equipped with industry standard mics, pres and a large variety of drum kits to accommodate any sound from Warm and Vintage to Indie and Thunderous and everything in between.

I have performed and recorded with some of Canada's most prolific artists spanning many genres and worked extensively in Film and TV including on scores for "Born to Be Blue" the Chet Baker biopic starring Ethan Hawke, "Sweetness In The Belly" starring Dakota Fanning and "The Indian Detective" starring Russell Peters among others.

I am an excellent communicator and am passionate about empathically helping clients realize their vision, working with you on laying down the perfect drum track and understanding the nuances required for every project type.

Endorsed by Samsun Cymbals and Attack Drumheads.

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

24 Reviews - 2 Repeat Clients

Endorse Simon Miminis
  1. Review by John D.
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    Simon took my suggestions seriously and created the most incredible expressive drum part that I could have imagined!!
    His attention to detail and recording skills are five star!!

  2. Review by Peter H.
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    Simon is an absolute professional - top notch communication, and a perfect blend of creativity and organization. His process for executing the vision of this track was well thought out, and the results are fantastic. High quality recordings, tasteful parts, and a collaborator who serves the song extremely well. Full marks!

  3. Review by Kal
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    by Kal
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    Simon had an impressive touch, a very deep and accurate approach of the composition I gave him. He understood everything and gave me projects before the final recording session. 100% efficiency. Great improvisations and perfect rythm. Absolutely brilliant Drummer!

  4. Review by Claire C.
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    Simon did a great job, especially as my instructions were vague at best! He was very professional and delivered on time. Thank you Simon!

  5. Review by Christian Thomas
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    Simon did a stellar job coming up with a drum part for my humble little track. It really turned it into something special. He's a joy to work with, incredibly generous, and recorded everything so well. He did an excellent job picking out all the right kit to get a great tone and set the right mood. Definitely a solid pro to have play on your next track.

  6. Review by Rainer W.
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    Great working with Simon again. His skills, attention to detail, and results were all outstanding.

  7. Review by Rainer W.
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    A pleasure to work with and great results!

  8. Review by Tommi U.
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    Simon is great! He is very professional and easy to work with.

  9. Review by Rainer W.
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    Excellent musician, great communication, very professional delivery.

  10. Review by Ed S.
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    by Ed S.
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    Simon is a true pro! He communicates well with what/how/ you want to approach your music project, and is timely in providing his expert craft.

  11. Review by Ed S.
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    by Ed S.
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    Simon has been fantastic to communicate with and always prompt. His drum tracks were great and certainly improved upon my virtual drum loop mix that I had spent much more time than I had to devote to a drum track. I will be calling on Simon for more drum tracks for my songs for sure! e.swartz

  12. Review by Nolan R.
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    Simon did a fantastic job on my surf blues rock song! With great attention to detail, and prompt edits. His skill and knowledge of recording drum tracks is shown in the work that he does. I would definitely recommend Simon to anyone!

  13. Review by Daniel M.
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    I have worked with Simon on many tracks. Not only does he nail every track but he is able to do it with my exact vision. Simon is versatile, skilled, and has an amazing pocket.

    Anyone who gets the chance should work with Simon on their tracks!

  14. Review by Mark Wilson
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    I've been playing with Simon in every situation imaginable for over a decade. An incredibly professional drummer, with a deep pocket and solid groove.
    His mixing is top-notch and is my go-to guy for ANYTHING studio related. You cannot go wrong hiring Simon for anything!

  15. Review by Terry
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    by Terry

    Had a few drum tracks done with Simon. Fantastic quality , very professional and fast turn around. Couldn’t ask for anything better. Thanks again!

  16. Review by Carbon Memory
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    by Carbon Memory

    Simon has brought to our project a rhythmic, musical and creative nuance that is truly hard to find. His incredible talent and skillset behind the drumset shines through his versatility in a wide variety of genres and moods. For these reasons, he is very efficient and effective in live and studio scenarios, without ever losing that musical touch. We are sure that Simon's musicality will elevate your next project.

  17. Review by Mike Skiffington
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    by Mike Skiffington

    Simon has proven to be a chameleon in the times I've worked with him. He has a wide range of musical influences and it shows in his ability to adapt to many genres while making it all seem easy. Just as important though, is his positive attitude and overall approach to dealing with others. He is as honest as the day is long, and always puts in top notch effort. I've worked with him on numerous projects, and have always felt like he was technically, musically, and creatively on another level than most. You won't regret working with him. Contact him and see for yourself.

  18. Review by Santiago Moffat
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    by Santiago Moffat

    The most versatile drummer I work with, from rock and blues to world music and modern jazz. He will adapt to your project in order to get what you need. I highly recommend Simon for any drumming or music work.

  19. Review by Michelle
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    by Michelle

    I've had the absolute joy of working with Simon in the past. He is a consummate professional and an extremely talented drummer. He will listen and provide notes, as needed. A pleasure to work with.
    -Michelle
    Mr.Jr. and owner of Mister and Miss Productions/Punk Toronto

  20. Review by Kristina B
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    by Kristina B

    Simon is a true professional. I worked with him on my country music project, in and out of the studio. His precision, raw talent and professionalism blew me away. Playing live with him was no different. Simon's contributions to the music were always recieved with many compliments from the audience. I would highly recommend Simon to anyone.

Interview with Simon Miminis

  1. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  2. A: I started as a drummer, studied music at the Bachelor level and Post Graduate level, then started to teach as well as work in the film industry as a composer and music editor. To this day I'm active in all 4 of those aspects of my career and keep busy. I have been drumming professionally for over 2 decades, teaching for the last 15 and composing/music editing for the last 10.

  3. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  4. A: My ability to communicate and understand my clients musical vision. Along with being a drummer I am also a well versed composer, this allows me to understand how to best express the main artistic vision of the track. This is an essential skill in creating a drum part that plays to and really completes a song.

  5. Q: What's your typical work process?

  6. A: Generally I start by listening to the client's demos and discussing the artistic vision of the project. What do they want their listeners to feel? What inspired each song? What types of grooves or artists were they hearing in their minds when they were composing? All these questions allow me to hone in on what my drum arrangement will be as well as what instruments I will use to bring them to life and how I will mic them to telegraph those emotions and performances appropriately.

  7. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  8. A: I work out of my home studio in Toronto, ON. My room is acoustically treated so I'm easily able to achieve a very controlled sound. I run a Pro Tools HD system using Apollo and API pres and have a wonderful selection of microphones including an AEA R88 for a beautiful room tone, KM 184's which are absolutely killer as overheads along with your standard arsenal of 57's, D112's and some tasty ribbons drizzled in for some colour. I also carry around a Neumann M-147 tube for special mono applications. I have access to a great selection of drums that I like to use such as Stage Customs for a present and modern birch sound, a warm Ancient Kauri kit which is made out of Ancient Kauri that is over 50,000 years old (the only one of it's kind in existence) or a set of Vintage Ludwigs (1966) which sound great for anything requiring a warmer vintage tone, a 60's Luan Mahoghany Stewart kit in rock sizes for larger rock sounds along with a great selection of snares (70's Supraphonic, 70's Acrolite, Mapex Bird's Eye Maple, Benny Grebb Birch Model, Ancient Kauri snare and more) . Whatever tone you’re going for I have a kit to get you there. I provide clients with the following track list (more or less tracks can be requested to accommodate a specific setup): - Kick Sub (Solomon Sub Kick for extended low end response) - Kick In (D112) - Snare (Rode NT2A) - Snare bottom (SM57) - Tom 1 (57) - Tom 2 (57) - Floor Tom (PG52) - Hats (KM184) - Ride (KM184) - OH (Stereo Pair of KM184’s) - Room (AEA R88 further back in the room for a larger room tone) - Ribbon Back (Apex 210 Ribbon below drum throne facing kick) - Room Far (M147 20 feet in front of kit pointing towards the ceiling to capture more room ambience) I find this track list allows clients maximum flexibility in sculpting any drum tone you want. Keep the spot mics for a tight, dry and focused sound or utilize the room mics and overheads for a beautiful natural sound that will bring the drums to life.

  9. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  10. A: Mark Wilson, he’s a killer bass player, and I work with him often. Can’t recommend him enough!

  11. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  12. A: The satisfaction and impact that only a live drum part can bring. Some music just needs the real deal, don't get me wrong programmed stuff can sound fantastic and some styles call for it (i.e. hip hop loops) but some times you just can't replace the intention of a live musician. The emotion that a live player can express can really add to the emotional impact of a song in a way that is completely unique and unlike anything else.

  13. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  14. A: What is your song about? How do you want the song and/or the drums to make your audience feel? What are some drummers or drum tracks that inspire you?

  15. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  16. A: Both have their place. Eventually everything goes digital, despite the small resurgence of vinyl it is very hard to deliver and listen to a product in a fully analog domain. The answer lies somewhere in the middle, digital gear that is augmented with analog gear or Vice Versa.

  17. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  18. A: Currently working on my solo project as well as a Ska project and other things pending the end of the Covid-19 pandemic!

  19. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  20. A: Probably my work with Carbon Memory, the drum parts are rooted in tradtional approaches to the Genre but borrow from many unorthodox inspirations and sound exciting and fresh.

  21. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  22. A: To bring you a drum track that completely fulfills your expectations and artistic vision.

  23. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  24. A: Working with and meeting new people as well as facing the challenges of creating something new. Every project is unique and requires a different approach, that is something that keeps life interesting and exciting for me.

  25. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  26. A: Have a strong artistic vision, you don't need to know exactly what you want the drum part to be for your song, just a strong idea of how you want them to make you feel. Many times examples of drum tracks or drum tones from records that inspired your writing can really help hone in on what your drum part might be.

  27. Q: How would you describe your style?

  28. A: I like to take chances and avoid things that are idiomatic as much as possible. I try to be unique and I like to perform with finesse.

  29. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  30. A: It ranges, I've done, Country, Rock, Jazz, Funk, World Music of all sorts, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Ska, many things really.

  31. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  32. A: Too many to count but off the top of my head in the drummer world some of my favourite would have to be Mark Guiliana, Nate Smith, Marcus Gilmore, Anderson Paak, Billy Kilson, Larnell Lewis, Mark Kelso, Paul Delong, Chendy Leon, Dafnis Prieto, Willie "Mean" Green, Chad Smith, Bill Stewart, Bernard Purdie, and Steve Ferrone among many others. As a film Composer I love Bear McCreary, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Don Davis, Mark Isham, John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans to name a few.

  33. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  34. A: Typically remote drum tracks but I am also a competent mixer and a professional film composer. I'm also a Music Editor and have worked on numerous Hollywood productions such as the SAW franchise and many primetime shows for CTV/Global/CBC/CBS, etc.

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Terms Of Service

Part revisions will be made based on Midi drum demos free of charge. Revisions after live drum tracks have been recorded are subject to a fee. Rush pricing available for 2 day turn around.

Gear Highlights
  • API and Apollo pres
  • Adams A7 Monitors
  • Pro Tools
  • Logic X
  • Mics: Neumann
  • AKG
  • AEA
  • Shure
  • etc Drums: Yamaha Stage Custom
  • Vintage Ludwig
  • Stanbridge Ancient Kauri
  • large collection of snares
  • Samsun Cymbals
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SoundBetter Deal

First time clients receive a free drum track with a single order of 5 or more tracks.