Making It Happen for Fred Coury
Already a veteran of the music business, WaveLab and Nuendo user Fred Coury remains fully committed to his musical career. His taste has undergone many changes though, leaving Coury with a potpourri of different styles from which he continuously draws, affecting his music to this present day. At a young age, Coury started off with the violin, proceeding to the trumpet until his passion for drums had enveloped him to the point of no return. Over the years to come, Coury became the drummer for several bands, the most popular being Cinderella, initially a glam rock band taking on a more blues-rock sound since then. Besides playing drums, Coury is also into producing, singing, photography and enjoys making dance remixes.
How did you first get started in the music business?
I started playing in the band Cinderella and when we became more popular we had to continue to focus on business aspects as well as our music.
As drummer for Cinderella were you involved in the production process of those albums?
Not in the beginning but sitting with amazing producers like Andy Johns I got to hone my chops and learn. On another album I didn’t like the drum sound so I started experimenting on my own twisting the knobs to get the sound I wanted. I bought a Yamaha cassette 4-track and my studio started. I was bouncing like mad!
Can you describe your current studio?
I am PC-based running Nuendo, WaveLab and some plug-ins. I have an RME Fireface 800 and an ADI 8 DS. I have a nice set of mic pres from API, Purple Audio, Great River, Chandler, and some from DBX. My room is at Third Encore rehearsal studios with a control room, small vocal booth and a drum room.
How did you get into remixing?
Brian Perera wanted to have some Cinderella remixes done. They sent them out and the rest of the band thought they were killer but I thought I could do just as good. I asked Brian if I could take a stab and he said sure. He gave me a Cheap Trick cover and sent it in and he offered me a job doing dance mixes which was a parallel career that has kept me very busy over the years.
What are some of the artists that you have done dance mixes for?
Todd Rundgren, James Brown, Flock Of Seagulls, Information Society, Billie Holiday, Elvis, Maria Conchita Alonso — I have done probably over 100 dance mixes.
How did you get involved with the music for television?
A friend of mine came over to my house and he was doing music for promos. He only plays guitar and asked me to play bass and drums. His boss came over and noticed that I was writing and playing the parts and asked if he could hire me. I have done a lot for CBS including David Lettermen, 60 Minutes, The Amazing Race, New Adventures of Old Christine, As the World Turns, 90210, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, amongst many others. You can go to www.doublefortemusic.com to see a more comprehensive list.
How did you get hooked up with Disney?
I was asked to play and record drums on Best of Both Worlds for the Hannah Montana movie. They sent over the stems and I recorded the drums and uploaded both processed and unprocessed files. I also recorded and played drums on We’re All In This Together for High School Musical 3. I recently worked on a couple of songs for Nickelodeon’s Spectacular! like the Eye of the Tiger and Things We Do For Love. I am now doing music for an upcoming Disney show.
What artists have you been working with recently?
I have done a couple of new songs for Debbie Gibson, mixed 3 songs for Lou Gramm’s record, co-wrote and played for a Swedish artist named Vendela. I also did a track for Guitar Hero with guitarist George Lynch.
You used to own an SSL room in Nashville. How do you compare it to working in your current room?
I was partners in a room in Nashville with a big SSL console, it was a hybrid E and G series console with a computer. The sound is incredible for pop, rock, and hip hop. Mixing on a big console makes it easier but it is possible to mix it in the box. I choose to be on Nuendo because it is a nicer mixing platform and it sounds great. Software has its own sound. There was a big sound difference in Nuendo as it has evolved. I can be totally competitive in a software-based environment as I do it every day. You have got to have ears.
Any tips for recording drums?
The key (pun intended) to getting good drum sounds is a good drum, properly tuned and hit correctly. That's first. Then the pres and converters are the next step. But whatever sounds good IS good. There are really no rules! The front end is critical to be competitive as everyone is trying to get the analog warmth. When I had cheaper converters high-end people would tell me that my room sounded too digital. I switched converters and it made total sense. I am starting to use terms that I felt were corny sayings like “smoother bottom” and “silky high end”. I was killing my sound before and didn’t realize it.
Are you still playing out live?
Cinderella will be going out later this year. I did some dates with George Lynch and Lynch Mob. I just finished a show called Monster Circus in Vegas with Rudy Sarzo, Dee Snider, John Corabi, Tony Montana and Bruce Kulick. It was basically a heavy metal Cirque du Soleil. I love the studio but truly feel like myself when I am performing on stage.
How have the Steinberg products helped you?
I checked out a lot of products but it just felt and sounded more pro to me. It really works well for someone who composes, performs, records and mixes all of the parts. I may get a call at 4 PM for a deadline for 10 AM the next morning. I couldn’t do it with anything else. I can do it all quickly and easily and get the job done. Some other applications mimic a tape recorder but it does not help the creative process. People wonder how I can do it. I don’t like MIDI but I can make it work for me with a single controller and virtual instruments. Steinberg makes it happen for the creative person. I couldn’t imagine ever switching. It really is the best.
Website: www.fredcoury.com
MySpace page: www.myspace.com/fredcoury
