LOS ANGELES, CA, March 5, 2024 — Trevor Lawrence Jr. has made a career of blurring the lines between live drumming and the sounds of vintage drum machines. The long-time beat-maker to Dr. Dre and first-call drummer for Herbie Hancock, LeAnn Rimes, and Stevie Wonder is the focus of a new video from Lauten Audio that gives a peek into his process, and playing. Filmed in Studio 606 alongside 6-time Grammy-winning engineer Alex Pasco [Adele, Beck, Foo Fighters], the video explores Lawrence’s history with Dr. Dre and how inspiration, unique playing techniques, and an adventurous approach to sound design have given him his unique voice behind the kit.
Influenced by the use of rhythm machines on classic R&B and hip-hop tracks, Lawrence has spent decades exploring ways to integrate these sounds and feels into live playing. Over the course of the video, he discusses his collaboration history with Dr. Dre, and demonstrates the various tools and techniques he has developed to mimic these drum machines while still being authentic to his identity as a player. The Pro Tools Session and audio files from the recording session are also available for download in the description of the video so that viewers can explore these sounds themselves.
“My real thing is I love the authenticity part,” he explains. “ I only want to bring authenticity to something. I don’t want to just say ‘Yes’ just because. I have to know that I can bring something to it and I’m not really going to accept it if it’s not my thing. I don’t want to play at something.”
Lauten Audio Microphones Used
- SNARE MIC (LS-408) – Top and Bottom Snare
- SNARE MIC (LS-408) – Clapstack
- LA-220 V2 – Stereo Overheads
- LA-220 V2 – Toms
- LS-208 – Poke
- LS-208 – Kick In
- LS-208 – Hi Hat
- LS-308 – SNOM
- Clarion FC-357 – Kick Out
- Atlantis FC-387 – Stereo Rooms
- Eden LT-386 – Mono Overhead
About Trevor Lawrence Jr.
Trevor Lawrence Jr. is a Grammy-winning drummer and producer who has redefined the sound of live drums on record for more than three decades. He has performed and recorded alongside Stevie Wonder, Hans Zimmer, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, Eminiem, Macy Gray, and Boyz II Men, and since 2008 has been a key member of Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment production team. In addition to this, he also designed the Istanbul Agop Clap Stack and has designed and launched several popular drum loop collections.
About Alex Pasco
Alex Pasco is a 6-time Grammy Award-winning audio engineer, mixer, and producer, who has worked with artists and producers including Greg Kurstin, Adele, Beck, Foo Fighters, and Paul McCartney among others. Self taught from a young age before studying Recording Arts at Loyola Marymount University, he has over 15 years of professional experience working in commercial studios in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, and London.
About Lauten Audio
Lauten Audio is a family-owned maker of original, inspiring microphones. Currently available products include the flagship “Eden” tube microphone, the award-winning “Atlantis” FET condenser microphone, the groundbreaking “Synergy Series” of noise-rejecting condenser microphones, and the new Series Black family of condenser microphones. Lauten Audio and its diverse family of users can be found in studios, on stages, and in homes worldwide.
For more information, visit www.lautenaudio.com or call 1-877-721-7018.