Darrell Nutt

"I Play For The Song"

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205 Reviews (191 Verified)
Darrell Nutt on SoundBetter

Hello! I'm Darrell and I have been a session drummer, producer, and mix engineer for 20+ years. I provide high quality Drum Tracks and Mix and Master music for artists and songwriters all over the world. My top clients are members of Steely Dan and AC/DC. Check out the other drum examples at the bottom right of this page. Thanks!

"I play for the song!" As a producer, I want what is best to convey the message of the song - instrumentally and lyrically. This is very important to my musical concept! My services are rendered from my studio located in Southwest Florida.

A friend once said to me, "It's not always the gear, but it is ALWAYS the EAR!" My studio rig is mostly in the box. I use Waves, Slate Digital, and Izotope plugins. Cubase Pro 11 is my main DAW but I can export audio tracks to your specifications. I use high quality Focusrite RED preamps and interface. I proudly endorse Amedia Cymbals and use Yamaha drums and Goodwood drumsticks. As a drummer, my specialty is recording drum tracks for singer/songwriters for their songs.

I have worked with members of Steely Dan, AC/DC, Yes, The Moody Blues, Bad Company, Goo Goo Dolls, Parliament, Rickie Lee Jones, and many other hard working, lesser known artists. I also really enjoy mixing material that I didn't record. I have mixed hundreds of songs for artists that I haven't met in person - only via Soundbetter and social media and almost ALL of them have been repeat customers! I am proud of that!

Let's work together! Please attach your demo to the job offer so I can send a fair proposal.

Here is a Spotify Playlist of songs I have played on: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3H39UeOmOIwOEfAMNvsAf7?si=cb608fe591c14eb8

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Darrell Nutt
  • Margaret Cerniglia, Darrell Nutt, Willie "Mix" Correa*
  • Willie* And Darrell*
  • Kat Epple, Chuck Grinnell, Ted Myerson, Nathan Dyke, Darrell Nutt
  • Ascension / Willie Mix & Darrell Nutt
  • Willie "Mix"* & Doc Roc
  • Various
  • John Beltran
  • Various
  • Zen Experience
  • The Muzic Den
  • Willie "Mix"* & Doc Roc
  • DJ Mondo
  • DJ Chus & David Penn
  • Nearfield feat. Anthony Williams (2)
  • Father Jerry Kaywell
  • Various
  • Zen Experience
  • Various
  • Various
  • The Muzic Den
  • Various
  • Various
  • Electro Body Rockers*
  • DJ Doc Roc*
  • Willie "Mix"* & Doc Roc
  • The Electro Body Rockers Featuring Willie "Mix"*, K-OBA & Tony Tomei
  • Willie "Mix"*
  • Emir & Frozen Camels
  • Dave London
  • Father Jerry Kaywell
  • Various
  • John Beltran vs. Fantasista
  • John Beltran
  • Father Jerry Kaywell
  • John Beltran
  • DJ Chus & David Penn
  • Various
  • John Beltran
  • Various
  • John Beltran
  • Tim McGeary
  • Victor Samalot*
  • Essra Mohawk
  • Sol Set
  • Nearfield feat. Anthony Williams (2)
  • Various
  • DJ Sandy
  • PK*
  • Dave London
  • DJ Mondo
  • Various
  • Eric Berretta
  • Various
  • Infiniti*
  • Various
  • Various
  • Various

205 Reviews - 35 Repeat Clients

Endorse Darrell Nutt
  1. Review by Donovan F.
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    Once again the man, the legend does an amazing job on a new tune I sent him. He’s just amazing as usual !

  2. Review by Jonathan V.
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    I've hired Darrell to play on like six of my songs now, I'm always happy with the results and exited to see what he comes up with. Highly recommended!

  3. Review by John S.
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    Darrel Nutt is a fantastic drummer and a great guy to work with. I have had him design the drums for three songs now, and the tracking he did is outstanding. He is a true professional drummer. I would recommend him to anyone and will be using him on my next song for sure.

  4. Review by Donovan F.
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    As always, Darrell is great! he just reads my mind every single time.
    I highly recommend him to anyone

  5. Review by Matt P.
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    Darrell is an excellent drummer and a pleasure to work with!

  6. Review by Jay S.
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    by Jay S.
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    Darrell hits it every time.

  7. Review by Bryan Daste
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    Another fantastic job with Darrell! Total pro, every time. Creative, but precise. Excellent!

  8. Review by doug
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    by doug
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    Darrell plays exactly what the song calls for. I never have to give Darrell any direction he plays exactly what I hear in my head, it's such a privilege to have Darrell play on my stuff!

  9. Review by Donovan F.
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    Darell is amazing as always!
    He understands your musical intentions perfectly…
    what a gift

  10. Review by Mark G.
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    Darrell is great,
    The true professional...always on time and on target with whatever might be required for your track.

  11. Review by doug
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    by doug
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    THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. Review by Jay S.
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    by Jay S.
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    Always top-notch, great communications, Darrell knows what the song needs.

  13. Review by Fabio Z.
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    Darrell is just amazing! . Very talented drummer, professional and fast! I strongly recommend!

  14. Review by Jesse W.
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    Darrell easily rates as an incredibly professional drummer. He delivers good quality content and has a mountain of experience ready to offer!

  15. Review by John S.
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    Darrell did a fantastic job on the track. I gave him an old band mates drum patterns with the hope that he could emulate his playing. He did much more than that. He brought it to the next level! 1000% better. I will definitely use him again and would recommend him highly to others. :)

  16. Review by Donovan F.
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    Darrell did a wonderful job on a song I wrote for my mom after she passed. He played it with all the love a song like this deserves.
    For me, He’s just a master and a complete musical mind reader.
    He can do that for you as well…

  17. Review by Alex C.
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    Darrell is a total professional, very knowledgable and puts in the effort to adapt to the music. He's easy to work with and a good guy.

  18. Review by tim m.
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    by tim m.
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    Darrell is an amazing drummer , spot on , great feel , couldn't ask for more. quick turn around , gives you everything you need for a great track

  19. Review by doug
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    by doug
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    Darrell is my favorite drummer… He plays exactly what the song asks for!!!

  20. Review by Wojciech
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    All you need is here. Perfect!

Interview with Darrell Nutt

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

  2. A: I work quick and I try to understand what the client wants. I tend to hear the final mix in my head - as a drummer and producer.

  3. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  4. A: Drumming - Producing, editing, time aligning, and mixing. Okay, that is more than one...

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

  6. A: As a drummer cutting a drum track, I like to know the direction the song will go in. Specific genre or samples of styles that are similar. Well, then sometimes - we just go for it! As a producer or mix engineer, I like to be able to add to the mix via percussion or keys and fx when necessary to complete a song or mix.

  7. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  8. A: I use Cubase 11 Pro on iMac with Slate Digital and Waves plugins. Preamps are Focusrite Clarett 8PreX and Clarett Octopre. Sennheiser, AKG, Shure mics.

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

  10. A: I wrote a music cue for Oprah's Next chapter tv series and played drums on the theme song.

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

  12. A: Just finished a release that is heavily influenced as if Steely Dan meets broadway.

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

  14. A: Steve Reich, Victor Samalot. Pretty much anyone I've worked with with good reviews.

  15. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  16. A: A little of both. Analog for the traditional reason. Digital for the modern benefits.

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

  18. A: Do the best I can for you time after time!

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

  20. A: The journey of a recording project. Beginning to end.

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

  22. A: Most of my clients have let me just play on their track and we make subtle adjustments as needed.

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

  24. A: Public persona because I'm always in the studio.

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

  26. A: I can usually tell what they need from their inquiring questions.

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

  28. A: iMac, Generator, Steely Dan cd's (x3)

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

  30. A: I started early in my family band at 14 playing clubs. From 18-26 I toured the US and Europe with country artists and played the Opry and many country tv shows. I settled in florida at 26. At 35 I started my own studio producing artists and recording drums for people all over the world. 36 years in the business.

  31. Q: How would you describe your style?

  32. A: Grooving, funky, and soulful.

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

  34. A: Jonny Lang. Because he was a prodigy and he has matured in his last few albums.

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

  36. A: Always pull OUT the "bad" frequencies in a track or mix.

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

  38. A: Singer songwriter, Rock, Country

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

  40. A: Over 30 years of drumming and 20 years of producing.

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

  42. A: I am influenced by the technical recordings of Steely Dan and Roger Nichols, the vast artistry of producers Tommy LiPuma, Russ Titelman, Quincy Jones and many others.

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

  44. A: First and foremost, I am a drummer. I play most types of music live and in the studio. I have a drum kit ready to record at any time. Over the last 15 years I've been producing releases for clients, artists and record labels. I love it all!

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2023 Darrell Nutt ROCK Drum Demo

I was the Drummer in this production

Terms Of Service

Drum tracks come with one revision in a 24 hour period. If you want two full drum takes of your song, additional funds will be required for the second take. Let's make some great music!

GenresSounds Like
  • Steely Dan
  • AC/DC
  • John Mayer
Gear Highlights
  • Focal
  • Dynaudio
  • Avantone
  • Warm Audio
  • Earthworks
  • Neumann
  • AKG
  • Sennheiser
  • Focusrite
  • Octava
  • Presonus
  • Shure
  • Waves
  • Slate Digital
  • Audio Technica
  • Mackie
  • Digidesign
  • Yamaha
  • Steinberg
  • Meinl
  • Amedia
  • Paiste
  • Zildjian
  • LP
More Photos
More Samples
  • Buffalo Music Hall of FameNov 14, 2022

    In October 2022, I was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. It is a big honor to be recognized by your peers in your home town! Other Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductees are: Goo Goo Dolls, Ani Difranco, Aretha Franklin, Rick James, Brian McKnight, Natalie Merchant, Lucky Peterson, Billy Sheehan, Spyro Gyra, Take 6, Grover Washington, Jr., and Tommy Tedesco.

  • 1400+ drum tracksApr 19, 2021

    I'm excited to announce that I have surpassed 1400 drum track sessions in my career! A few hundred of those were directly through SOUNDBETTER.com! Thank you!

    Darrell