Service · Session drums
At Hot Milk Studio in Berlin you book the drummer and the recording together. On drums is session drummer Benedikt Stehle (Nino de Angelo, Sandhy Sondoro, Fanfare Ciocarlia). Behind the desk is studio owner and engineer Robert Cummings. Leon Schurz can join on bass if you want. Join the session or simply send your songs, and get edited multitracks back.
On drums
Benedikt Stehle is one of Berlin's most in-demand session drummers. His playing is weighty and full, shaped by hip-hop, neo-soul and mainstream pop, with gospel chops when the song calls for them. He sits precisely on the click without sounding sterile: dynamic, exciting and aware of how a song builds.
He has a photographic memory for arrangements and learns songs extremely fast. His takes sit so tightly on the click that very little editing is ever needed. That saves time and budget, especially on EPs and albums, and lets producers focus on the big picture instead of tedious editing sessions.
At Hot Milk Studio, Robert has recorded Benedikt for Nino de Angelo, Yull-Win Mak, Sandhy Sondoro and Fanfare Ciocarlia, among others. More about Benedikt: benediktstehle.com
With bass
Benedikt and bassist Leon Schurz are part of the Hot Milk Crew, the studio's core team of players, with whom Robert has made countless productions. You can book the two together. They have outstanding chemistry: groove, dynamics and arrangement come out of playing together rather than track by track. For songs that should sound like a band, it's often the fastest route to a living foundation.
The team
A great drum take needs two people: one to interpret the song and one to judge the take. Benedikt plays. Robert decides at the desk which take carries the song, and as a drummer himself he knows what matters: feel, micro-timing, ghost notes, cymbal balance.
Then there's the room:
We decide which room suits your song on the pre-session call. More on rooms, kits and snares: drum recording.
Process
Deliverables
You get drums you can mix freely – every microphone as a separate WAV file (24 bit / 48 kHz):
Plus a rough mix for reference.
For single songs
For single songs with a vintage character, Robert also plays himself. His playing is rooted in the rock, funk and jazz of the 1960s and 70s: Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks, Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Ginger Baker, Ian Paice, John Densmore, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones and Joe Morello. Light and groovy, with feel and touch, at home in swing and shuffles.
He has played drums for Lüül, Jens Fischer Rodrian, The Doors Of Perception, Ulrich Kleemann, Dirk Loombeek and The Kream, among others.
Pricing
Benedikt Stehle on drums (optionally with Leon Schurz on bass): price on request, subject to availability. Typically booked for EPs and albums.
Robert Cummings on drums:
Always included: pre-session call, choice of room (main room or drum room), kit and snare selection, recording, editing, rough mix, multitracks as WAV and one round of minor revisions.
Terms: 50% on booking, 50% on delivery. Single songs delivered within 5–7 days, usually sooner. EPs and albums by arrangement.
Best studio in town! Big daylight-filled rooms, great vibe, great equipment and sound. Rob is an amazing recording, mixing and mastering engineer — your place to record in Berlin in a cool, relaxed environment.
Yes. Send a rough mix or stems, tempo and references. Benedikt tracks at Hot Milk Studio, Robert records and edits, and you download the multitracks plus a rough mix. You can join live on a video call.
With Robert on drums, one song is €400 and two songs €700 (incl. VAT). Sessions with Benedikt Stehle, optionally with Leon Schurz on bass, are quoted by scope and availability – usually for EPs and albums.
Because you're booking a full production, not just a drummer: a pre-session call, a choice of two recording rooms, careful mic placement, take selection by an experienced engineer, editing and a rough mix. You get drums ready to use, not raw tracks to sort through yourself.
Every microphone as a separate WAV file, 24 bit / 48 kHz: kick, snare, toms, overheads, room mics, and on request cymbal mics, a dirt mic and percussion. Plus a rough mix for reference.
Single songs within 5–7 days, usually sooner. For EPs and albums we plan the timeline together.
Yes, one round of minor revisions is included.
Yes. Benedikt Stehle and Leon Schurz play as an established rhythm section – ideal for songs that should sound like a band.
50% on booking, 50% on delivery.
Let's plan a session together.
Tell us about the music, the players and the sound you'd like to hear back. We'll come back with a plan.
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