Terl Bryant

Drums - sessions and live

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18 Reviews
Terl Bryant on SoundBetter

Platinum and Billboard artist credits include: Iona, Peter Murphy (No.1 USA), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Matt Redman (Grammy), Peter Gabriel, Shirley Bassey, Robin Mark, Elizabeth McGovern, Maddy Prior, Louise Redknapp, Barbara Dickson, Lulu, Right Said Fred and many others independent artists.

My studio is in Sussex, UK where I've recorded over 1000 tracks for a wide range of artists and producers. Sessions are mostly done remotely, though artists and producers are welcome to work in-house with me. It's a beautiful rural location with good local facilities, parking and accommodation.

Please feel free to contact me for more information and booking schedule.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

18 Reviews

Endorse Terl Bryant
  1. Review by Stefano I.
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    We play togheter since 2010. He’s a great percussionist, a great guy….

  2. Review by Julian Ferraretto
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    by Julian Ferraretto

    A first class musician and top human being. Terl has a composer's ear and a wonderful sense of texture and groove.

  3. Review by Glen Holmen
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    by Glen Holmen

    Terl is the whole package. I was bashing out the driving rock with him in LA years ago and nobody does it better. When I saw him at a seminar for Sennheiser recently, I was floored by his sophistication and interesting approach with percussion, loops, etc It’s like hiring Jay Bellerose and getting Matt Sorum thrown in. And you get a real kind heart with the wicked sense of humor!

  4. Review by Chip Bailey
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    by Chip Bailey

    It goes without saying that Terl is at the top of his game. His approach to drumming is always to do what is right for the music. He brings perfect groove, musicality, feel and personality to his playing and has that rare quality of creating a sound unique to him. I can always tell it's him playing without having to check the sleeve notes! And to top it all off he is a splendid chap and a pleasure to work with.

  5. Review by Jeff Hammer
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    by Jeff Hammer

    I've played with Terl during the last three decades .... always great to play with him and always great to be with him! Highly recommended.

  6. Review by Ben Reed
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    by Ben Reed

    Terl is possibly the tightest, and most inventive, drummer I have worked with. A total joy to play alongside, and a charming gentleman! He'll do anything you ask of him (within reason).

  7. Review by Raul D’Oliveira
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    by Raul D’Oliveira

    I have known toured recorded and played together with TERL for over 25 years a very creative and imaginative musician drummer and percussionist always a joy and a pleasure to be in Terls company both playing or recording

  8. Review by Ian Grant
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    by Ian Grant

    I have worked with Terl (as a manager) on and off for a decade now. Apart from being a very nice chap he has great passion, feel and adaptability where drumming and percussion is concerned. I very much recommend him.

  9. Review by Roland Bühlmann
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    by Roland Bühlmann

    It was a great pleasure to work with Terl! The tracks he played and recorded for my 4th album sounded amazing and fit very well, I imported them in my DAW, mixed down and all was perfect!

  10. Review by Dee Mc Loughlin
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    by Dee Mc Loughlin

    I was privileged to work as Tour Manager with John Paul Jones when Terl was playing with him , not only is he one of the finest musician's that I have worked with over the last 20 years but he is the consummate professional , always inventive and totally dedicated to whatever project he is involved with..

  11. Review by Stu Roberts
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    by Stu Roberts

    Terl is a visionary musician with a positive and engaging vibe on every project I've worked with him on. As a drummer Terl is exceptional, and a fantastic and confidence inspiring producer. I couldn't recommend Terl highly enough.

  12. Review by Dave Whitcroft (KDMusic)
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    by Dave Whitcroft (KDMusic)

    Terl recently completed an arts council funded project for us. He rearranged his schedule to fit their deadline, and the dynamic he added in verse 3 was so good we changed the arrangement and built it round the drums.
    Fantastic work, and a top notch cheerful gent!

  13. Review by Duncan Alldridge
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    by Duncan Alldridge

    Working with Terl is an incredible experience. He's highly professional, abundantly creative and intuitive, and will offer your project or session his complete commitment and energy. His degree of musicianship and range of playing is second to none. Don't think twice about working with this amazing musician! :)

  14. Review by Paul Mitchell
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    An outstanding drummer and percussionist as well as a recording engineer with knowledge of all modern systems and techniques.
    Highly recommend

  15. Review by Graham Hollebon
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    by Graham Hollebon

    I have had the pleasure of working with Terl on a number of projects. He is a wonderful musician and a lovely bloke.

  16. Review by Marco Meniconi
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    by Marco Meniconi

    Terl is a fabulous musician and an amazing drummer and percussionist. His sound and musical contributions always make for outstanding tracks. Always a pleasure to work with this thoroughly nice chap

  17. Review by Dan Stirling
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    by Dan Stirling

    Absolutely loved working with Terl. He’s the perfect combination of versatility, experience and creativity. Very easy to work with and great results.

  18. Review by Jack
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    by Jack

    Terl is an outstanding musician, and a total pleasure to work with. His experience speaks for itself and his work ethic is unparalleled. You'll love Terl!

Interview with Terl Bryant

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

  2. A: I've loved working with so many artists. I am particularly proud of the albums I made with IONA in the 90s and work with UK producer Levine that includes charting tracks with the Honeyz, Lulu and Louise. More recently tracks for UK producer Cameron Craig and my work for The Stefano Ianne Project on 'Les Belles Habitudes' and Buryin' Ground by The Grace Machine.

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

  4. A: Tracks for several very different clients based in USA, Europe and the UK.... plus my own material.

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Drums are wonderfully analog... a good drum track can transform anyone's music!

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

  8. A: I will do my very best to exceed your expectations.

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

  10. A: Hearing a song turn out well.

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

  12. A: Q: How soon can you record the track? A: Usually within a few days. Q: Can you work with my budget? A: We can agree on something mutually acceptable.

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

  14. A: It might be a fear that you'll have to pay for something you don't want. I offer 100% satisfaction and never charge before a client is happy.

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

  16. A: I'll ask clients about how they're hearing the end result, including any references to other tracks, artists and former recordings. Am I to follow a chart and how creative to be, along with deadlines and number of takes etc.

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

  18. A: Don't hold back from inquiring, I'll be happy to see if I can help and I won't give you the 'hard sell'. I know your tracks are precious to you :-)

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

  20. A: My desert Island gear list would be.... nope, this question is unfair. However my Ludwig Black Beauty is coming.

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

  22. A: I left school at 16 to do this.... a long time ago :-)

  23. Q: How would you describe your style?

  24. A: My like to think my style is perhaps a bit Keltner/Ringo/Charlie meets a bit of Clem/Paice/Copeland

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

  26. A: There's a bunch of names I could say here, but I like to work with artists who believe in the power of music for positive change.

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

  28. A: I think of recording drums a bit like recording a choir. Each voice needs careful consideration for its place in the overall picture. Good balance and phase are key along with a clean audio path for great results.

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

  30. A: A broad range of styles and genres. Classic rock/pop, ballads, singer songwriter material and groove based material.

  31. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  32. A: Skill is an interesting word. For me me it is to capture something with great vibe, feel and creativity.

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

  34. A: I always aim for the best, authentic approach. For me a good take is like a good photograph, it should capture something unique and special and be just right for the track.

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

  36. A: The process usually starts with a video call to chat about the process, expectations and to discuss the finer details of the project. Most clients will send two mix versions of the track (with and without drum parts) for me to work with. On the tracking day, I will then send the client rough mixes for approval or further development. When the client is happy I transfer the raw files via wetransfer (or other) along with any required mix versions or stems with FX etc.

  37. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  38. A: My studio is an old oak beamed Sussex barn and I have a well loved collection of vintage and custom drums to record with, including oven a dozen beautiful snare drums. I track in Ableton with Audient and Presonus preamps and have a fab collection of mostly sE microphones, including ribbons and Rupert Neve.

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

  40. A: I am inspired by music created in all kinds of styles and genres, but it is story and authenticity I align closest too. When the drum/rhythm parts serve the song in that way too, it is at its best. My greatest influences range widely from the likes of Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Bowie, Zeppelin and Neil Young all the way through to contemporary artists like Mr Jukes, Angus & Julia Stone, Laura Marling, Anderson. Paak and Phoebe Bridgers.

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

  42. A: I produce high quality multi-stem drum tracks with and without additional percussion parts.

Terms Of Service

- Individual quotes created for each project.
- Details for each booking agreed in advance.
- Booking through Soundbetter stays with Soundbetter.

GenresSounds Like
  • Peter Gabriel
  • Taylor Swift
  • Led Zeppelin
Gear Highlights
  • Vintage Ludwig
  • Sonor and wide range of custom drums and snares including Black Beauty
  • Acrolites
  • LM402
  • VK custom and Jalapeno custom drums.
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