The six-part hands-on course will take place at the institute’s downtown facilities between June 11-29, 2012.

Being an NYU student is not required for registration – this course is open to the public, and costs $1915 with a $250 lab fee.

Through this six-part hands-on course students will learn the techniques necessary to expand their acoustic drum-sound library.

The course is based on the premise that drum sounds have the potential to exhibit as much personality on a recording as a vocalist or soloist, but that a great drum sound can be difficult to obtain.

The hands-on studio course covers techniques of instrument and head selection, miking, tuning, and recording the classic drum sounds typified by Ringo Starr and the Beatles, Hal Blaine (Phil Spector's Wall of Sound), recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder (jazz greats including Miles Davis), Motown, and John Bonham with Led Zeppelin.

Ringo Starr's sound
Take the sound of Beatles' sticksman Ringo Starr for example: Ringo's early drum sound was very live, ringy and splashy, but that changed dramatically after 'Sgt Pepper'.

To accurately reproduce the dry, damped tone of Ringo's drums from 1968 onward, Rich tapes tea towels, dishrags and sheets to his kit - just as Starr himself did. Explains Rich:

"The Beatles literally took tea towels from the kitchen of the studio and used them to muffle Ringo's kit. The sound is darker but very punchy, perfect for the material on 'The White Album' and even more on 'Abbey Road', where Ringo was using his rack toms a lot."

Rich Pagano's recording workshop will be complemented with historical documentation from personal interviews with engineers Geoff Emerick (the Beatles), Elliot Scheiner (Steely Dan), and Chris Huston (Led Zeppelin), as well as session setup sheets and photos.

Course info and registration
Course ID of the Art of Recording Classic Drums is NCRD-UT 8568, 2 units, Class#: 4676. To register for this non-credit course, go to www.nyu.edu or call 212 998 2292.