J. P. Morrison Studio Tour – A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Drum Recording Setup
J. P. Morrison Studio Tour -Inside My Drum Recording Setup
Hey everyone, J. P. Morrison here. I’ve had a few viewers ask for a detailed studio tour, so I thought I’d take you behind the scenes of my recording space and give you a complete rundown of my drum kit, recording gear, and workflow. Whether you’re a drummer, producer, or just curious about how my sessions come together, this is your all-access pass.
Recording Platforms
My main DAW is Pro Tools, the workhorse behind most of my projects. I also run Logic Pro for added flexibility and compatibility with other clients’ setups. While I have multiple plug-in bundles for both DAWs, I’ll save that deep dive for another blog post.
Drum Kits
At the heart of my studio is my Yamaha Recording Customs kit. I also have a Pearl BLX kit and a Gretsch USA Customs kit on the way — I can’t wait to break it in as well.
Current Yamaha Recording Customs setup:
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Toms: 8”, 10”, 12”, and 16” floor tom
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Kick: 18”x22”
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Snares: Yamaha Recording Customs wood, Yamaha Recording Customs brass, Ludwig Black Beauty, Tama snares, Gretsch Ridgeland USA Custom, and others.
Cymbals
I’m a huge fan of Paiste Formula 602 and Formula 602 Modern Essentials cymbals. They cut through a mix beautifully without being harsh.
Current cymbal setup:
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16” Formula 602 Thin Crash
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17” Formula 602 Modern Essentials Crash
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8” and 10” Modern Essentials Splashes
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18” Modern Essentials China
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Two Paiste rides, including my favorite long-time Paiste 2002 Power Ride and this Medium Ride Formula 602
Mics and Recording Chain
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Toms: Sennheiser 421s and Audix D2's and D4's
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Snare (top & bottom): Shure SM57s
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Overheads & Hi-Hats: Shure SM81s
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Kick (inside): Audix D6 and others
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Kick (outside): Large diaphragm condenser mic
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Room mic: For natural space and ambiance
Hardware
I rely on Yamaha hardware for reliability and feel:
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Yamaha direct drive double bass pedals
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Yamaha hi-hat stand and snare stand
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Yamaha Hex Rack (three-sided) to minimize stands and open up the floor space
I also keep DW pedals and my Iron Cobra single pedal in rotation, but Yamaha remains my mainstay at this point.
Monitoring & Headphones
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JH Audio In-Ears (JH16 V2)
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UltraPhones
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Vic Firth Isolation Phones
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Yamaha ClickStation routed through a headphone amp when needed
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Control Surface
The Avid S1 Control Surface paired with an iPad lets me arm tracks, adjust levels, and switch banks without leaving the kit. It’s a huge time saver.
Video & Content Creation Gear
For filming studio content:
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Canon Vixia Mini X compact vlog camera with dual microphones
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Apple iPhone for secondary angles
Final Thoughts
That’s the full J. P. Morrison Studio Tour — my current gear lineup and recording workflow. I’m always making adjustments, so check back for updates (especially when my Gretsch USA Customs kit arrives).
If you have questions about my setup, drop them in the comments below. Visit JPMorrisonDrums.com, sign the guestbook, and follow me on social media. Let’s connect and talk drums.
Take Care and keep groovin'!
J. P. Morrison
jp@jpmorrisondrums.com
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