Interview with Neil Peart Drums producer Dave Kerzner
I recently had the opportunity to talk to Sonic Reality CEO Dave Kerzner about the story behind producing Neil Peart Drums. It was a fascinating conversation about not only how something like a virtual drum kit gets captured -- in this case Peart's Snakes & Arrows kit -- but also how you can use it in your own drumming or songwriting. If you've been wondering how to get started with Neil Peart Drums, check out this interview:
Everything you wanted to know about Sonic Reality's Neil Peart Drums
Dave also talked about what it was like to work Neil Peart. Here's an excerpt:
Neil was totally cool. Really nice guy. Quiet and introverted for the most part, but I talked with him and he was very gracious, accommodating, and good spirited�
If you are working with someone famous you have to control the fanboy in you and chill out (laughs). I mean to a certain extent. Even Nick Raskulinecz is like a big kid who loves Rush and air drums all the fills. Neil knows we're all in awe of that stuff. But you just have to be totally pro and keep your cool. Get things done and you have his respect. Enough respect for him to let you play his kit! Apparently that rarely ever happens. But I convinced Neil and his tech Loren to let me do it so I could explain how we sample the drums, which you can see on YouTube.
Thanks to Dave Kerzner for taking the time to talk to me.
If you have other questions for Dave, feel free to leave them in the comments, and I'll try to get them answered for you.
Labels: Neil Peart Drums, Neil Peart Studio Profile, Sonic Reality, XYZ - A Tribute to Rush