Rik Charron – Exciter – Thrash Speed Burn

Band Name: Exciter
Drummer Name: Rik Charron
Album Name: Thrash Speed Burn
Release Date: 2008
Studio Name: N CodeStudio
Engineer Name: Charles FairField

Cymbals: Sabian – Zildjan – Paiste

14" Sabian Stage Hihat
20" Paiste Heavy Rock Ride
18" Sabian AA rock Crash
18" Sabian B8Pro rock Crash
16" Sabian B8 Medium Crash
18" Sabian China Type China
16" Zildjan Crash Ride

Drums:  Pearl CBX Custom 8 ply Maple shells Stainless Stell coverings Heavy duty Hardware

(2) 24" x 20" Bass drum (Remo Powerstroke clear)
10" x 8" Rack tom (Remo Powerstroke clear)
12" x 9" Rack tom (Remo Powerstroke clear)
13" x 10" Rack tom (Remo Powerstroke clear)
14" x 12" Rack tom (Remo Powerstroke clear)
16" x 16" Floor Tom (Remo Powerstroke center)
14" x 6.5 Snare (Evans Hydrolic coated)

Pedals: (2) DW 5000 w/ Wooden Beaters

Triggers / Microphones: 

Shure XM 57 to my (2) 24" x 18" kick drums,
Shure XM 58 for my 10",12",13"and 14" rack toms
Shure XM 58 for my 16" floor tom
Sennheiser e609 on the top head of my snare
Shure SM57 on the bottom of my Snare
Shure KSM32s were placed over my kit to capture the sound image from the drummer’s perspective.

Studio Tips:

In the Studio I prefer playing with lighter drumsticks (5a) to have more control  and for less wrist, finger and arm fatigue. I wear loose clothing and thin soled, flexibl jogging shoes. I need to have line of sight with the Guitarist and Bassist to feed off the energy of the other musicians, because let’s face it… it’s hard to feel the music with headphones on!!! and Exciter is all about the energy!

Drummer Comments:

I’ve learned one thing in all my recording experiences… And that is, What you hear in the room when you play, is NOT what always translates to tape!!!! It’s fustrating sometimes knowing that I did this great fill or drum thing. But you don’t hear it properly in the recording. I’ve never used triggers in Exciter, What you hear is ALL me. But possibly for the next Exciter album I’ll try triggers to see if it helps with the translation of all the cool rolls and fills I play in the songs. I’ve never claimed to be the best Drummer in the World; but one thing I can say with confidence is, I am very consistent, solid and steady!!! I abuse every drumkit I play and the harder I hit, the better I feel.

Thanks to everyone at Sick Drummer Magazine and all Exciter fans worldwide. See you on the road!

Rik Charron