Adam Stanley

Rock, pop, funk & metal drums

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24 Reviews (9 Verified)
Adam Stanley on SoundBetter

Your music is unique and deserves drum parts that feel great and make everything sound like it MATTERS. I'm a songwriter-drummer who delivers by LISTENING and writing ideal drum parts for SONGS - everything from soft rock/pop and funky stuff to punk, heavy rock and metal.

I'm a versatile drummer with 20 years' experience crafting drum parts for SONGS. My specialisms include rock, funk, heavy rock/metal, punk and pop/acoustic music.

Your music is unique and I'm here to help you with drum parts that make everything sound like it MATTERS. I know that as a songwriter, you want a drummer who LISTENS, who can bring out energy and emotion in your music.

You also want drums that sound good and have a vibe, so that your songs have a personality and distinct sound. As a singer/songwriter and experienced studio musician, I have the taste, experience and gear to deliver this.

I can also record melodic or screamed vocals plus simple guitar and bass parts if you need something extra in your music.

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

Languages

  • English

24 Reviews - 2 Repeat Clients

Endorse Adam Stanley
  1. Review by Maximilian
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    Fast, efficient and spot on! Genius drumming arrangements.

  2. Review by Maximilian
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    Spot on drumming. Adam has got good ideas.

  3. Review by Tim hysen
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    Been working with Adam a lot and he’s definitely bringing some kickass ideas to his amazing drumming! This one was not quite finished so we discussed how to extend it so your getting not only a fast and skilled musician but also a “band member” if you are stuck with ideas, you won’t regret hiring Adam.

  4. Review by Tim hysen
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    Where to start..Adam has become the fourth member in every project I’ve done. He interpreting everything exactly the way I see and hear it. This is the fourth time hiring Adam and I can’t believe the luck I’ve had finding him
    On soundbetter. He’s very much into deliver 110% and he is also his biggest critic and besides being a kick ass drum player that is what makes him the best drum player out here. Do yourself a favor and hire Adam for your next job. Cheers to you Adam!!

  5. Review by Jaguar S.
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    Super fast delivery. Great communication. Nailed the joint!

  6. Review by Matt D.
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    Simply put - Adam is brilliant. His attention to detail and communication has been what you expect from a consummate professional. I had very specific requests (sorry Adam) for the track, and he was still able to put his stamp on the song while staying true to the end goal. Highly recommend Adam for anyone looking for an elevated sound to their song.

  7. Review by Tim hysen
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    Third time working with Adam and I can honestly say I would never work with anyone else here. He nailed it on the first take in my opinion but as professional and caring about YOUR music he wasn’t really happy so he sent me another one, witch was mind blowing. He gives 200 percent and even helped me out with some wrong doings from my end that had to do with time alignment. The only bad thing I can say about Adam is that he lives to far away for me to hang out. Like I said, Best one on SB

  8. Review by Tim hysen
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    This is my second time working with Adam and I must say he impresses me more and more. The sound files that you get are of superb quality and he delivers a lot of mixing options since he records with many microphones. My song demanded a bit of attention and deferent styles and he delivered and delivered fast. Very easy to work with and very professional and all in all a very nice guy. Definitely my go to drummer on my future projects

  9. Review by Tim hysen
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    Adam is an absolutly joy to work with, i had some drums recorded by someone else that i wasnt really happy with and he could see exactly what i didnt like about it without me telling him, he suggested to keep some of the original style but also to do some major changes to boost the song, and wow was he right! an awesome job, LOTS of energy and got his first suggestion of the drumming within hours and just loved it, will work with Adam again for sure

  10. Review by Matthew Moult
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    by Matthew Moult

    Adam is an outstanding drummer with a broad, nuanced understanding of the instrument and of music as a whole. He is incredibly passionate about performance and absolutely belongs behind the kit. I've worked with him on several projects, covering a wide variety of genres and he is more than capable of adapting to meet the requirements of the song, writing parts which both support the music and elevate it, with his musical vocabulary and identity. I wholeheartedly recommend him.

  11. Review by Sophie Neale
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    by Sophie Neale

    Working with Adam on your music is a joy; for the time he is involved in your project, it's exactly the same as having him as a member of your band.
    He has an excellent array of equipment and knows how to use it, musically and technically.
    Attention to detail, professionalism, deadline awareness, versatility and the perfect amount of preofessional pride make this tub thumper a shoe-in for any upcoming work I have in whatever sphere I'm happen to be working in.

  12. Review by Neil Breytenbach
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    by Neil Breytenbach

    I really enjoyed working with Adam. He is very professional and provides a precise & prompt service. All the best Adam.

  13. Review by Drew R.
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    Adam is a very skilled, professional and creative drummer. Importantly he also knows how engineer a great sounding recording too. I was in a jam, up against it and he got me out of trouble with a quick delivery of a massive crunchy groove that made it on to the lead single of my album project. I label was very impressed with him and recruited him for some live work too.

  14. Review by Travis Marc
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    by Travis Marc

    Adam is a great drummer. He recently did some remote drum recording for one of my songs, (without any guidance from me in regards to what I wanted) and the track sounded great. I'd totally suggest him to anyone looking for good 'meat and potatoes' type drumming on their tunes, who won't be disappointed.

  15. Review by Jon Shaban
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    by Jon Shaban

    I've had the pleasure of knowing Adam and playing music with him for around 15 years. He is one of the most naturally talented drummers I've ever shared the stage with and his work ethic is unreal. I've recently had him do some session work which he has recorded remotely from his home studio. He is great at bringing life to a song with the right feel and his attention to detail is immaculate. He has never missed a deadline and has always been a pleasure to work with.

  16. Review by Emily
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    by Emily

    I've had the fortune to know Adam both professionally and personally for a number of years. He is a very dedicated and passionate musician. A man of extremes; he has made me cry with his delicate acoustic self-penned songs one night whilst rocking a sold out show with his band the next.
    Adam is a perfectionist which is not a bad thing in a drummer! He has been the backbone of several bands in the local thriving Hertfordshire and London scene. He is respected as much for his talent as he is for his approach to having a laugh while delivering quality work!

  17. Review by Kev- Guitar, Black Whiskey
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    by Kev- Guitar, Black Whiskey

    I have worked with Adam on several occasions live and studio. His enthusiasm to created the best possible drum part for each individual song is amazing. His aptitude for learning original material is incredible and he will go over each nuance of a song and until it fits, perfectly. Technically he makes drum parts appear easy as well as keeping that all important groove. I can't recommend Adam highly enough, for live or studio work. He also brings with him that all important, musicians sense of humour. If to need a top class drummer and a top class bloke get in touch now.

  18. Review by Jew Broo
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    by Jew Broo

    My last review was both overrated and overly familiar. Adam is an incredibly nuanced drummer, who is attuned to the bits between blastbeats and brushes and understands what makes a song just sound good and groove.

  19. Review by Jew Broo
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    by Jew Broo

    He sure can fart. But also drum. Buy him. He good.

  20. Review by Chris (Blackborough)
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    by Chris (Blackborough)

    I've played and recorded music with Adam for 23 years or so. He loves music and he loves playing the drums. He'll usually record what I'm after first time. If not, he'll show me something better or I'll explain what I need and he'll deliver.

Interview with Adam Stanley

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

  2. A: My first solo album because I proved to myself I could write and record everything, and that I could create music people genuinely liked. Recently I recorded a song called The Black Room in my studio for IAMWARFACE and I’m so proud of the power and balance I achieved in the drum parts, and the sound of the kit. This was a big step for me.

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

  4. A: Finding more exciting clients! I sang lead vocals and wrote the lyrics for a new alternative rock project called Meantime which will be released later in 2020 - it’s my debut as a proper lead vocalist and I’m immensely proud of it. I have my second solo album in the works which is taking a while due to my busy schedule but which I’m very excited to finally lay down.

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

  6. A: If you need another great song drummer, Emily Dolan Davies is your girl.

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: Both. Analogue often sounds best but digital is so wonderfully flexible. Analogue poses a beautiful human challenge because it’s less malleable but you can get so creative with the immediacy of digital.

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

  10. A: That I will record great sounding drums that will support their musical vision and bring some excitement or feeling to their project.

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

  12. A: Variety and challenge! I grow with every recording.

  13. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  14. A: How quickly can I turn tracks around! My answer is usually same day or next day unless the piece is complex. I like to be proactive and amenable, and I don’t like to keep people waiting. The other one is usually about specific snare sounds, and I advise that this usually needs to be communicated early in the process unless it is something that becomes apparent during tracking and reviewing. I will re-record a track if the snare sound isn’t what the customer and song need.

  15. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  16. A: That it’s an exact science. Usually things flow, but sometimes some back and forth or a short ‘gestation period’ are needed to bring out the best in a track.

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

  18. A: As above - what do you want this to feel and sound like? Which accents do you want to hit? What kind of snare and tom sounds do you hear for each song? When do you need the tracks by?

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

  20. A: Be as clear about what you want as possible - don’t be afraid to go into detail. Leaving things to chance can create beautiful results but if you have a vision or specific goals, communicate those fully.

  21. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  22. A: Headphones Practice pad, kick pad, throne and sticks! MacBook Guitar Microphone

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

  24. A: I spent many years being devoted to whichever band I was in at the time with a few forays into live session work and tribute gigs. When I had the chance to build a home studio I started to see the potential for working with many different artists and being able to put on a different hat almost every day. This has led me to focus increasingly on being a busy recording drummer. I have been working as a remote recordist for just under a year, so it is still very much a growing thing. I do still perform and teach, and believe that each avenue informs the other.

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: Powerful, musical and full of feeling.

  27. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  28. A: Matt Mahaffey of Self/music production fame. He’s also a drummer/songwriter and just such a consummate musician. His ear for original sounds, incredible hooks and punchy production are something I’d like to learn from.

  29. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  30. A: Be conscious of the spaces you fill or create and how they will sound later in the mix. When mixing, don’t overthink it - if it sounds bad, start over.

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

  32. A: Rock and pop. Soft to very heavy.

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: An ear for arrangement and strong ability to interpret emotion or atmosphere, which then let me create drum parts that merge seamlessly with the rest of the instruments. I like to think this makes me versatile, because I take my cues from a lot of different music and aesthetic sources.

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

  36. A: A lot of energy, a very musical approach and an ear for detail. I’m sensitive to song arrangements, instrumental nuances and where the main focus of the overall track needs to sit at any given point. In essence I try to create a drum part that feels like no other part would work - it has to flow, rise and fall or simply travel in all the right places. This is what I consider to be song oriented drumming.

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

  38. A: I’ll get a proposal from a client that usually includes a demo. I gauge how long it will take to write and record the parts, inform the client and then create a chart for the song. I’ll focus on technical sections first so I’m prepared when they arise, then I just start doing takes. I really like to get a full performance for the feel, but will always work on specific sections if they need smoothing. I then present a finished comp to the client. It usually takes me a day to turn a song or a few songs around, although complex material can change this.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: I have a small but vibey-sounding custom made studio with a good balance between brightness and control. I use a Tama Starclassic walnut/birch kit which is punchy but versatile. My main snare is a Gretsch bell brass but I have various DW, Tama, Pearl and Mapex models in steel and wood. I use Zildjian cymbals and a range of percussion tools. My mics include AKG, Shure, Rode and Behringer models. I have 2-3 room mics and 14 kit mics.

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

  42. A: Session players like Ash Soan, Emily Dolan Davies and Jim Riley inspire me as a song-oriented remote drummer. Like them I aim to be diverse and not limited to one style of music. In terms of playing, I look to great studio players like Josh Freese, Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Grohl for part construction, power and smoothness.

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

  44. A: Recording drums for everything from simple acoustic singer-songwriter material and funky pop to all shades of hard rock and metal. Every track I’ve been sent is my very different.

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ThumbOfRule - 'All Good Christians'

I was the multi-instrumentalist in this production

Terms Of Service

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BRONZE: One take, no revisions ($80)
SILVER: Up to two revisions, stereo mix ($100)
GOLD: Unlimited revisions, stereo mix, performance video ($140)

GenresSounds Like
  • Foo Fighters
  • Seether
  • Biffy Clyro
Gear Highlights
  • Tama Starclassic walnut/birch drums
  • Gretsch
  • Tama
  • DW
  • Pearl and Mapex snares
  • Zildjian cymbals | MICS: AKG D112 & C451B
  • Audix D1
  • D2 & D5
  • Rode M5s
  • SM57s
  • Behringer C3s
  • SE Electronics 4400a
  • Beyerdynamic M201TG
  • Rode NT100
More Photos
More Samples
SoundBetter Deal

Simultaneous/group songs bookings: 10% off for 2 to 5 songs, 15% off for 5 or more

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